Human C-Type Lectin Domain Family 4 Member K (CD207) Protein

Background

CD207, commonly referred to as langerin, is a C-type lectin receptor primarily expressed in Langerhans cells (LCs), a specialized subset of dendritic cells residing in the epidermis and other epithelial surfaces, such as the respiratory and digestive tracts. CD207 plays a critical role in immune surveillance by recognizing and binding to specific carbohydrate structures on pathogens, facilitating their capture and internalization. This receptor is crucial for pathogen recognition and uptake, which supports the initiation of adaptive immune responses. Encoded by the CD207 gene, CD207 is instrumental in the function and identity of Langerhans cells. It is also the defining marker for Langerhans cells, distinguishing them from other dendritic cell subsets. Langerhans cells use CD207 to capture and internalize pathogens, leading to antigen processing and subsequent presentation to T cells, which is central to adaptive immunity. CD207’s unique feature is its ability to induce the formation of Birbeck granules—distinctive organelles with a rod and vesicle shape that are exclusive to Langerhans cells. These granules are believed to support the specialized antigen-processing function of CD207.