Abstract
The C-type lectin MGL is a pathogen recognition receptor, expressed by dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (Ms), able to bind GalNAc (Tn)carrying structures. This receptor also recognized Tn-TAAs that were internalized, processed and presented by DCs to T cells and it acted as an adjuvant on DCs, highlighting its possible application in anti-cancer vaccination. In this work, we found that this receptor present a seasonal modulation: its expression is higher in winter rather than in summer. The percentage of MGL + donors displayed a negative trend that dropped to 33% during the summer and increased up to 100% in winter. This modulation could be also ascribed to the circa-annual variation of glucocorticoids, in fact MGL is up-regulated in presence of dexamethasone in vitro. The seasonal variation of this receptor could be an important point in the field of tumor vaccination strategies.
Highlights
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen presenting cells (APCs) and, acting as sensors of microenvironment, capture pathogens and transmit the resulting information to lymphocytes
Monocytes were differentiated for 5 days in immature myeloid Dendritic Cells (iDCs) (Figure 1(a)) and the presence of the receptor was analysed by cytofluorimetry
The results obtained showed that MGL expression on iDCs surprisingly had a seasonal modulation: the expression was higher in winter rather than in summer, despite that yield and quality of DCs were homogeneous
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen presenting cells (APCs) and, acting as sensors of microenvironment, capture pathogens and transmit the resulting information to lymphocytes. These activities can be carried out thanks to several types of highly specialized receptors such as C-Type Lectin Receptors (CLRs) and Toll like Receptors (TLRs) that are expressed on DC surface [1]. CLRs’ family acts in Ca2+-dependent manner [2], is able to bind and internalize carbohydrate structures and can induce the activation of T lymphocytes Thanks to these properties CLRs are considered targets to enhance T cell-mediated protective immunity to prevent infectious diseases. Glycoprotein and pathogen carrying GalNAc is recognized and internalized by MGL expressing cells, including MGL in the list of Pathogen Recognition Receptors (PRRs) [3]
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