title: DC-SIGN mediates the binding of Aspergillus fumigatus and keratinophylic fungi by human dendritic cells.
abstract: Human contact with fungi does not usually lead to pathological consequences, as the immune system manages to defeat the invader pathogens. Nevertheless, under immune suppression, fungi overcome immune defenses and cause diseases that range from nonserious colonizations of keratinizated tissue (Dermatophytosis) to life threatening disseminated infections (Aspergillosis). Host defenses against fungi rely on innate and adaptative responses, with dendritic cell (DC) and macrophage surface receptors having a major role in the recognition of fungal pathogens and in the orchestration of an effective immune response. DC-SIGN is a C-type lectin involved in the recognition of bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens, as well as in interactions between cells of the immune system. Its expression is restricted to DCs and subsets of macrophages. Here we show that DC-SIGN mediates the binding and capture of Aspergillus fumigatus and keratinophylic fungi, including Chrysosporium tropicum, by human DCs, describe the requirements of these interactions and discuss their potential involvement in the onset and persistence of pulmonary fungal infections.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid 28040, Spain. dsg@cib.csic.es
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Serrano-Gómez
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: Angel L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Corbí
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009181:Mycoses / Q000276:immunology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000099215:DC-Specific ICAM-3 Grabbing Nonintegrin