Dectin-1 is a major beta-glucan receptor on macrophages.

Journal article

Zymosan is a beta-glucan- and mannan-rich particle that is widely used as a cellular activator for examining the numerous responses effected by phagocytes. The macrophage mannose receptor (MR) and complement receptor 3 (CR3) have historically been considered the major macrophage lectins involved in the nonopsonic recognition of these yeast-derived particles. Using specific carbohydrate inhibitors, we show that a beta-glucan receptor, but not the MR, is a predominant receptor involved in this process. Furthermore, nonopsonic zymosan binding was unaffected by genetic CD11b deficiency or a blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CR3, demonstrating that CR3 was not the beta-glucan receptor mediating this activity. To address the role of the recently described beta-glucan receptor, Dectin-1, we generated a novel anti-Dectin-1 mAb, 2A11. Using this mAb, we show here that Dectin-1 was almost exclusively responsible for the beta-glucan-dependent, nonopsonic recognition of zymosan by primary macro-phages. These findings define Dectin-1 as the leukocyte beta-glucan receptor, first described over 50 years ago, and resolves the long-standing controversy regarding the identity of this important molecule. Furthermore, these results identify Dectin-1 as a new target for examining the immunomodulatory properties of beta-glucans for therapeutic drug design.

Authors: Brown, G; Taylor, P; Reid, D; Willment, J; Williams, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of experimental medicine
• Volume: 196
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 407-412
• Publication date: 2002-08-01
• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20020470
• EISSN: 1540-9538
• ISSN: 0022-1007
• Language: English
• Keywords: Nerve Tissue Proteins; Membrane Proteins; Glucans; Mice; Macrophage-1 Antigen; Animals; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Receptors, Immunologic; Lectins, C-Type; Zymosan; Macrophages