Langerin (CD207) is a C-type lectin receptor whose expression is restricted mainly to dendritic cells in the skin including Langerhans cells in the epidermis and langerin+/CD103+ dermal dendritic cells. Langerin is found on the cell surface and within rod-shaped organelles called Birbeck granules, and its expression is required for the formation of Birbeck granules. Langerin recognizes carbohydrate motifs on the surface of pathogens, resulting in endocytosis of the pathogen into Birbeck granules, degradation of the pathogen, and antigen presentation to T cells.
