The DC-SIGN–related lectin LSECtin mediates antigen capture and pathogen binding by human myeloid cells

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Liver and lymph node sinusoidal endothelial cell C-type lectin (LSECtin [CLEC4G]) is a C-type lectin encoded within the liver/lymph node–specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3–grabbing nonintegrin (L-SIGN)/dendritic cell–specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3–grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN)/CD23 gene cluster. LSECtin expression has been previously described as restricted to sinusoidal endothelial cells of the liver and lymph node. We now report LSECtin expression in human peripheral blood and thymic dendritic cells isolated ex vivo. LSECtin is also detected in monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells at the RNA and protein level. In vitro, interleukin-4 (IL-4) induces the expression of 3 LSECtin alternatively spliced isoforms, including a potentially soluble form (Δ2 isoform) and a shorter version of the prototypic molecule (Δ3/4 isoform). LSECtin functions as a pathogen receptor, because its expression confers Ebola virus–binding capacity to leukemic cells. Sugar-binding studies indicate that LSECtin specifically recognizes N-acetyl-glucosamine, whereas no LSECtin binding to Mannan- or N-acetyl-galactosamine–containing matrices are observed. Antibody or ligand-mediated engagement triggers a rapid internalization of LSECtin,which is dependent on tyrosine and diglutamic-containing motifs within the cytoplasmic tail. Therefore, LSECtin is a pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptor in human myeloid cells. In addition, our results suggest that LSECtin participates in antigen uptake and internalization, and might be a suitable target molecule in vaccination strategies.
This work was supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (grants SAF2005-0021, AGL2004-02148-ALI, and GEN2003-20649-C06-01/NAC) and Fundación para la Investigación y Prevención del SIDA en Espan˜a (FIPSE 36422/03) to ALC. A.D.S. was supported by a FPI predoctoral grant (BES2004-4405) from Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Spain). Authorship Contribution: A.D.S. designed the research and performed the experiments; L.A.F., E.G.M., L.M.P., and P.M. performed the research (lipid raft preparation, thymic cell separation, Ebolabinding assays); M.L.T., M.C., M.Z., R.D., and F.B. provided reagents and supervised individual experiments; and A.L.C. supervised research and wrote the paper.