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C-type lectin Langerin is a beta-glucan receptor on human Langerhans cells that recognizes opportunistic and

Marein A W P de Jong1, Lianne E M Vriend, Bart Theelen

  • 1Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Molecular Immunology
|January 26, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Human Langerin, a receptor on Langerhans cells (LCs), binds to fungal cell walls, identifying key interactions in fungal infections. This research highlights Langerin

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Langerhans cells (LCs) are crucial antigen-presenting cells at mucosal surfaces, encountering pathogens like fungi.
  • Fungal infections pose significant risks, particularly to immunocompromised individuals.
  • Human Langerin, expressed by LCs, recognizes specific carbohydrate structures on pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of human Langerin in recognizing fungal pathogens.
  • To determine which fungal species and cell wall components are recognized by Langerin.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of a diverse fungal panel for binding to human Langerin.
  • Utilizing antibodies against Langerin to block LC-fungal interactions.
  • Analyzing fungal cell wall components, including mannan and beta-glucans.

Main Results:

  • Human Langerin demonstrated strong binding to Candida, Saccharomyces, and Malassezia furfur species.
  • Weak binding was observed with Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans.
  • Langerin was identified as the primary receptor mediating LC recognition of these fungi.

Conclusions:

  • Langerin recognizes both mannose and beta-glucan structures on fungal cell walls.
  • Langerin is the major receptor on human LCs for recognizing a variety of pathogenic and commensal fungi.
  • These findings provide insights into the role of LCs in host defense against fungal infections.

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