Langerin is a type II, C-type (Ca2+-dependent) transmembrane lectin that is localized in the Birbeck granules of Langerhans cells. This marker has proven helpful in differentiating Langerhans cell histiocytosis from other non-Langerhans cell histiocytic proliferations, as evaluation of langerin expression is valuable in circumstances where a diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis is suspected, but cannot be confirmed due to lack of CD1a immunoreactivity. Anti-Langerin is also useful as part of a panel of antibodies against CD1a, CD21, CD23, CD35, and S-100, in the distinction of histiocytic sarcoma, interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma, follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, disseminated juvenile xanthogranuloma, and Rosai-Dorfman disease (sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy).
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