Dectin-1 Is a Major β-Glucan Receptor on Macrophages
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-5-2002
Description
Zymosan is a β-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 β-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 β-glucan receptor mediating this activity. To address the role of the recently described β-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 β-glucan-dependent, nonopsonic recognition of zymosan by primary macrophages. These findings define Dectin-1 as the leukocyte β-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 β-glucans for therapeutic drug design.
Citation Information
Brown, Gordon D.; Taylor, Philip R.; Reid, Delyth M.; Willment, Janet A.; Williams, David L.; Martinez-Pomares, Luisa; Wong, Simon Y.C.; and Gordon, Siamon. 2002. Dectin-1 Is a Major β-Glucan Receptor on Macrophages. Journal of Experimental Medicine. Vol.196(3). 407-412. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20020470 PMID: 12163569 ISSN: 0022-1007