Langerin (CD207) is a type II transmembrane protein which is encoded by the CD207 gene in humans. Langerin is C-type lectin receptor on Langerhans cells (LCs) and in mice also on dermal interstitial CD103+ dendritic cells (DC) and on resident CD8+ DC in lymph nodes. Langerin is expressed in LCs which are located in the epidermis and in vaginal and oral mucosa. Langerin recognizes and binds carbohydrates, such as mannose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine. langerin has an antiviral activity and protects the cell against HIV-1 infection. If langerin is defect or titres of the virus are too high, the HIV-1 infection may happen. Langerin also binds mannose, which is in the outer membrane of fungi, and beta-glucans in membrane folds of fungi. By this way, LCs can protect themselves against pathogens like Candida, Saccharomyces and Malassezia furfur. Furthermore, langerin recognizes Gal-6-sulfated lactosamine of glioblastoma. In the respiratory epithelium, LCs recognize measles virus via langerin and then, they degrade it and present it to CD4+ T-cells.
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