Langhans giant cell

They are formed by the fusion of epithelioid cells (macrophages), and contain nuclei arranged in a horseshoe-shaped pattern in the cell periphery.

In fact, they are found in nearly every form of granulomatous disease, regardless of etiology.

[2] In 2012, a research paper showed that when activated CD4+ T cells and monocytes are in close contact, interaction of CD40-CD40L between these two cells and subsequent IFNγ secretion by the T cells causes upregulation and secretion of fusion-related molecule DC-STAMP (dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein) by the monocytes, which results in LGC formation.

[3] Langhans giant cells are often found in transbronchial lung biopsies or lymph node biopsies in patients with sarcoidosis.

[4] They are also commonly found in tuberculous granulomas of tuberculosis.

Granulation tissue with a poorly formed granuloma to the left of centre. Within this area there is a multinucleate giant cell of the Langhans type. The patient had a healing mycobacterial infection of the skin ( Mycobacterium ulcerans infection).