We recently identified dectin-1 (betaGR) as a major beta-glucan receptor on leukocytes and demonstrated that it played a significant role in the non-opsonic recognition of soluble and particulate beta-glucans. Using a novel mAb (2A11) raised against betaGR, we show here that the receptor is not dendritic cell-restricted as first reported, but is broadly expressed, with highest surface expression on populations of myeloid cells (monocyte/macrophage (Mphi) and neutrophil lineages). Dendritic cells and a subpopulation of T cells also expressed the betaGR, but at lower levels. Alveolar Mphi, like inflammatory Mphi, exhibited the highest surface expression of betaGR, indicative of a role for this receptor in immune surveillance. In contrast, resident peritoneal Mphi expressed much lower levels of betaGR on the cell surface. Characterization of the nonopsonic recognition of zymosan by resident peritoneal Mphi suggested the existence of an additional beta-glucan-independent mechanism of zymosan binding that was not observed on elicited or bone marrow-derived Mphi. Although this recognition could be inhibited by mannan, we were able to exclude involvement of the Mphi mannose receptor and complement receptor 3 in this process. These observations imply the existence of an additional mannan-dependent receptor involved in the recognition of zymosan by resident peritoneal Mphi.
We previously reported that CR-Fc, an Fc chimeric protein containing the cysteine-rich (CR) domain of the mannose receptor, binds to marginal zone metallophilic macrophages (Mo) and B cell areas in the spleen and to subcapsular sinus Mo in lymph nodes of naive mice (CR-Fc(+) cells). Several CR-Fc ligands were found in spleen and lymph node tissue lysates using ligand blots. In this paper we report the identification of two of these ligands as sialoadhesin (Sn), an Mo-specific membrane molecule, and the leukocyte common antigen, CD45. CR-Fc bound selectively to Sn purified from spleen and lymph nodes and to two low molecular weight isoforms of CD45 in a sugar-dependent manner. CR-Fc binding and non-binding forms of Sn, probably derived from CR-Fc(+) and CR-Fc(-) cells respectively, were selected from spleen lysates. Analysis of the glycan pool associated with the CR-Fc-binding form revealed the presence of charged structures resistant to sialidase, absent in the non-binding form, that could correspond to sulfated structures. These results confirm the identification of the CR region of the mannose receptor as a lectin. We also demonstrate that the same glycoprotein expressed in different cells of the same organ can display distinct sugar epitopes that determine its binding properties.
Crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN), which frequently results in acute and chronic kidney disease, is characterized by and dependent on glomerular infiltration by macrophages. The mannose receptor (MR) is a pattern recognition receptor implicated in the uptake of endogenous and microbial ligands by macrophages, mesangial cells (MCs), and selected endothelial cells. It is upregulated on alternatively activated macrophages (i.e., macrophages associated with tissue repair and humoral immunity) and involved in antigen presentation to T cells. We used the mouse model of nephrotoxic nephritis to investigate the role of MR in CGN. Our results demonstrate what we believe to be a novel role for MR in the promotion of CGN that is independent of adaptive immune responses. MR-deficient (Mr-/-) mice were protected from CGN despite generating humoral and T cell responses similar to those of WT mice, but they demonstrated diminished macrophage and MC Fc receptor-mediated (FcR-mediated) functions, including phagocytosis and Fc-mediated oxygen burst activity. Mr-/- MCs demonstrated augmented apoptosis compared with WT cells, and this was associated with diminished Akt phosphorylation. Macrophage interaction with apoptotic MCs induced a noninflammatory phenotype that was more marked in Mr-/- macrophages than in WT macrophages. Our results demonstrate that MR augments Fc-mediated function and promotes MC survival. We suggest that targeting MR may provide an alternative therapeutic approach in CGN while minimizing the impact on adaptive immune responses, which are affected by conventional immunosuppressive approaches.
Abstract Chronic inflammation dominates disease pathogenesis in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and there is a need to characterise CF immunity. Whole blood cultures offer a cost-effective and non-invasive approach to investigate immune responses within the host environment. Here we used whole blood cultures to investigate the differentiation potential of monocytes (CD45+CD14+ cells) in CF (N=10) and controls (N=8) in the presence and absence of exogenous macrophage-colony stimulatory factor (M-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF with and without interleukin (IL)-4. In CF and control cultures, CD45+CD14+ cells upregulated HLA-DR expression in all instances, and increased CD206 in the presence of GM-CSF with and without IL-4, and CD209 in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4. In CF, we consistently observed reduced upregulation of CD206 in response to GM-CSF and a positive correlation between CD206 expression and lung function (FEV 1 ). This was unique to cultured monocytes, and not seen with any other marker. These results highlight the potential of whole blood cultures to reveal cellular characteristics in differentiating monocytes related to clinical parameters that could guide the identification of novel biomarkers in CF.
This unit includes protocols for the analysis of the targeting properties of Fc chimeric proteins and antibodies in mice in vivo. We present procedures to prepare the reagents to be tested under endotoxin-free conditions, suitable injection sites, methodology for tissue collection, and processing, and labeling procedures to detect the injected material in situ.
Abstract Review on mannose receptor as an endocytic receptor in antigen delivery that is co-expressed with the microRNA miR-511-3p encoded within the Mrc1 gene. The MR is a highly effective endocytic receptor with a broad binding specificity encompassing ligands of microbial and endogenous origin and a poorly characterized ability to modulate cellular activation. This review provides an update of the latest developments in the field. It discusses how MR biology might be affected by glycosylation and proteolytic processing, MR involvement in antigen delivery, and the potential contribution of MR to T cell differentiation and cellular activation. Further understanding of these areas will, no doubt, inform the design of novel, therapeutic tools for improved vaccination, control of inflammation, and tumor chemotherapy, which will benefit from exploiting MR-efficient internalization properties and unique pattern of expression.