Origin, homeostasis and function of Langerhans cells and other langerin-expressing dendritic cells.
Langerhans cells (LCs) are a specialized subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that populate the epidermal layer of the skin. Langerin is a lectin that serves as a valuable marker for LCs in mice and humans. In recent years, new mouse models have led to the identification of other langerin(+) DC subsets that are not present in the epidermis, including a subset of DCs that is found in most non-lymphoid tissues. In this Review we describe new developments in the understanding of the biology of LCs and other langerin(+) DCs and discuss the challenges that remain in identifying the role of different DC subsets in tissue immunity.
Merad
Miriam
M
Department of Gene and Cell Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA. Miriam.Merad@mssm.edu
Ginhoux
Florent
F
Collin
Matthew
M
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C121916:CD207 protein, human; C498497:Cd207 protein, mouse; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins