Langerin is expressed in LCs which are located in the epidermis and in vaginal and oral mucosa. LCs are immune cells closely related to macrophages, but by their function, they are more like conventional dendritic cells (cDCs). Langerin recognizes and binds carbohydrates, such as mannose, fucose and N-acetylglucosamine. Thus, LCs may react against pathogens such as HIV-1, Mycobacterium leprae and Candida albicans. After pathogen binding to langerin, fate of the pathogens is not yet understood It has been proposed that the pathogen is internalised into a cytoplasmatic organelle called Birbeck granule. There, degradation and antigen processing for presentation to T-cells take place. For instance, langerin binds lipoarabinomannans of mycobacteria and inside the Birbeck granules, it contributes to the binding of the antigen to CD1a molecule. In mice, langerin is involved in antigen binding to MHC II glycoproteins and to MHC I glycoproteins during cross-presentation.
It seems an intracellular Src homology domain of langerin is important for the formation of Birbeck granules. These organelles contain Rab11a which is a molecule participating in langerin recycling. 
Langerin has similar function and structure as a DCs surface protein DC-SIGN (CD209). Both receptors bind similar antigens via the CRD, for instance Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1. However, whereas HIV-1 binding to langerin leads to the elimination of the virus, HIV-1 binding to DC-SIGN leads to infection of the cell.