FUNCLER · Functional characterization of NK and DC lectin receptors
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2004-06-01 → 2006-05-31
- EU contribution
- €149,843
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- EIF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - FUNCLER (Functional characterisation of NK and DC lectin receptors)
Dendritic cells (DC) play a key role in the immune system by sampling pathogens in the body tissues and interacting with other immune cells for developing an immune reaction. They have in their surface different proteins that allow them to recognise pathogens and communicate with other immune cells to generate a response. Some of these surface proteins recognise specific carbohydrate motifs and are known as lectin receptors. The objective of this action was the functional characterisation of new lectin receptors expressed in dendritic cells. This means the characterisation of the carbohydrate binding specificity, looking for possible pathogens that can bind these receptors, and identify possible ligand(s) in other cells of the immune system. The ultimate goal was, with all these data, to understand the function and the role of these receptors in the DC biology. As result of this action the study of 4 lectins was initiated (DCIR, CLECSF8, MINCLE and DLEC) but later on was focused on DCIR. No pathogens or pathogenic products were found to bind to DCIR. Also no carbohydrate structures were found to bind DCIR. Concerning cell ligands, DCIR was found to bind monocytes suggesting the presence of a ligand for DCIR on these cells. Cell lines from different origin containing terminal galactose glycans on their surface also showed binding to DCIR. On the other hand monocytes lose the binding to DCIR very quickly when they differentiate to dendritic cells, in correlation to a lower expression of terminal galactose glycans in their surface. These data suggests a binding specificity of DCIR for terminal galactose glycans.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Dendrite cells (DC) are highly specialized antigen presenting cells (APC) that are critical for the initiation of T cell-dependent immune responses. The antigen uptake functions of DC are mediated by the expression of specialized surface receptors some of them belonging to the animal lection family. Recently, many lection receptors have been identified on the DC surface. On the other hand, natural killer (NK) cells also express lection receptors on their surface that controls its activity by a balance between inhibitory and activating signals. These NK receptors are close related to the DC lectinreceptors. Little is known about the functions of these lections. It is thought that most lections on DC are involved in pathogen recognition and presentation, however they may also mediate cell-cell interactions. Some lection receptors on NK recognize MHC-I, but the binding specify of most of them, or whether they can bind carbohydrates or pathogens is not known. The purpose of this activity is the functional characterization of new lections receptors expressed on dendrite and NK cells. We will define its carbohydrate specify and pathogen binding, internalisation ability and pathways, analysis of a possible role in cell-cell interactions and study of signalling events operated by these receptors. Detailed understanding of these processes will create sophisticated tools to inhibit, induce, or modulate DC and NK-specific responses in various diseases such as cancer, auto-immunity and infection.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT MEDICAL CENTER · AMSTERDAMCoordinatorNetherlands
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union