First published online February 20, 2008
Journal of Cell Science 121, 504e (2008)
© The Company of Biologists Limited
DC-SIGN dynamics in dendritic cells
During the immune response, immature dendritic cells use cell-surface receptors–such as the lectin DC-SIGN–to capture antigens, which are later processed and presented on the cell surface for recognition by T lymphocytes. However, the antigen-capture pathway can be exploited by HIV-1, which is recognised by DC-SIGN then taken up by the cell and delivered to lymph tissue, where it infects T lymphocytes. On page 634, Ken Jacobson and colleagues describe the organisation of DC-SIGN on the surface of dendritic cells. The authors show that, in live cells, DC-SIGN assembles into clusters (
500-600 nm in size) on the cell surface. DC-SIGN accumulates at the leading edge of the cell, but individual clusters destined for endocytosis move rearwards before being internalised. Moreover, translocation of DC-SIGN away from the leading edge is rapid and linear, which is consistent with a motor-protein-driven mechanism. HIV-1 might, the authors propose, promote its own uptake by stimulating the rearward movement and subsequent endocytosis of the DC-SIGN clusters to which it binds. These results shed light on the process of antigen capture by dendritic cells.
Related articles in JCS:
- Distribution and lateral mobility of DC-SIGN on immature dendritic cells–implications for pathogen uptake
- Aaron K. Neumann, Nancy L. Thompson, and Ken Jacobson
JCS 2008 121: 634-643.
[Abstract]
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