Rigorous phenotypic identification of human CD141highXCR1+ dermal DCs is challenging.
Comparative genomics enables rigorous identification of cell populations.
Human dermal CD141highXCR1+ DCs are homologous to human blood and mouse XCR1+ DCs.
Human Langerhans cells are homologous to mouse Langerhans cells.
Langerhans cells selectively express DC rather than macrophage gene signatures.