Birbeck granules

Birbeck granules, also known as Birbeck bodies, are rod shaped or "tennis-racket" cytoplasmic organelles found only in Langerhans cells. Their appearance on electron microscopy is with a central linear density and a striated appearance. Although part of normal Langerhans cell histology, they also provide a mechanism to differentiate Langerhans cell histiocytoses (which are a group of rare conditions collectively known as histiocytoses) from proliferative disorders caused by other cell lines. Synthesis of Birbeck granules is mediated by langerin.

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