title: The C-type lectin receptor Mincle binds to Streptococcus pneumoniae but plays a limited role in the anti-pneumococcal innate immune response.
abstract: The innate immune system employs C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) to recognize carbohydrate structures on pathogens and self-antigens. The Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) is a FcRγ-coupled CLR that was shown to bind to mycobacterial cord factor as well as certain fungal species. However, since CLR functions during bacterial infections have not yet been investigated thoroughly, we aimed to examine their function in Streptococcus pneumonia infection. Binding studies using a library of recombinantly expressed CLR-Fc fusion proteins indicated a specific, Ca2+-dependent, and serotype-specific binding of Mincle to S. pneumonia. Subsequent experiments with different Mincle-expressing cells as well as Mincle-deficient mice, however, revealed a limited role of this receptor in bacterial phagocytosis, neutrophil-mediated killing, cytokine production, and antibacterial immune response during pneumonia. Collectively, our results indicate that Mincle is able to recognize S. pneumonia but is not required for the anti-pneumococcal innate immune response.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Rabes
authors: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomolecular Systems, Potsdam, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Zimmermann
authors: Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Reppe
authors: Institute for Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Lang
authors: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomolecular Systems, Potsdam, Germany.
authors: Peter H
authors: PH
authors: Seeberger
authors: Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Suttorp
authors: Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Witzenrath
authors: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomolecular Systems, Potsdam, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Lepenies
authors: Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Bastian
authors: B
authors: Opitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011485:Protein Binding; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C113583:Clecsf8 protein, mouse; D016207:Cytokines; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D002118:Calcium