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[[File:Dendritic cells.jpg|thumb|300px|Section of [[skin ]] showing large numbers of dendritic cells (Langerhans cells) in the [[Epidermis (skin)|epidermis]]. (''[[M. ulcerans]]'' infection, S100 [[immunoperoxidase|immunoperoxidase stain]].)]]
[[File:The representation of Langerhans cells in the Cell Ontology.jpg|thumb|300px|The representation of Langerhans cells in the Cell Ontology. A portion of the Cell Ontology is shown with ovals corresponding to cell types defined in the ontology and arrows corresponding to relations between those cell types. Langerhans cell is represented by a yellow oval; blue arrows correspond to is_a relations, and orange arrows correspond to develops_from relations. Only a subset of Langerhans cell parent types are included in the figure.<ref name="pmid19243617">{{REFjournal
|last=Masci
}}</ref>]]
'''Langerhans cells''' are dendritic cells (antigen-presenting immune cells) of the [[skin ]] and [[mucosa]], and contain large granules called Birbeck granules. They are present in all layers of the epidermis, but are most prominent in the stratum spinosum.<ref name="Wheaters">{{REFbook
|last=Young
|first=Barbara
|init=P
|title=Über die Nerven der menschlichen Haut
|trans-title=On the nerves of the human [[skin]]
|language=German
|journal=Archiv für Pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für Klinische Medicin
==Function==
In [[skin ]] infections, the local Langerhans cells take up and process microbial antigens to become fully functional antigen-presenting cells.
Generally, dendritic cells in biological tissue are active in the capture, uptake and processing of antigens. Once dendritic cells arrive in secondary lymphoid tissue, however, they lose these properties while gaining the capacity to interact with naive T-cells.
=== LCH ===
In the rare disease Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), an excess of these cells is produced. This can cause damage to [[skin]], bone and other organs.
=== HIV ===