Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 on murine dendritic cells is a potent regulator of T cell stimulation

Dendritic cells (DC) are important APCs that play a key role in the induction of an immune response. The signaling molecules that govern early events in DC activation are not well understood. We therefore investigated whether DC express carcinoembryonic Ag-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1, also known as BGP or CD66a), a well-characterized signal-regulating cell-cell adhesion molecule that is expressed on granulocytes, monocytes, and activated T cells and B cells. We found that murine DC express in vitro as well as in vivo both major isoforms of CEACAM1, CEACAM1-L (having a long cytoplasmic domain with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs) and CEACAM1-S (having a short cytoplasmic domain lacking phosphorylatable tyrosine residues). Ligation of surface-expressed CEACAM1 on DC with the specific mAb AgB10 triggered release of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and induced migration of granulocytes, monocytes, T cells, and immature DC. Furthermore, the surface expression of the costimulatory molecules CD40, CD54, CD80, and CD86 was increased, indicating that CEACAM1-induced signaling regulates early maturation and activation of dendritic cells. In addition, signaling via CEACAM1 induced release of the cytokines IL-6, IL-12 p40, and IL-12 p70 and facilitated priming of naive MHC II-restricted CD4(+) T cells with a Th1-like effector phenotype. Hence, our results show that CEACAM1 is a signal-transducing receptor that can regulate early maturation and activation of DC, thereby facilitating priming and polarization of T cell responses.     

APCs express DCIR, a novel C-type lectin surface receptor containing an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif.

We have identified a novel member of the calcium-dependent (C-type) lectin family. This molecule, designated DCIR (for dendritic cell (DC) immunoreceptor), is a type II membrane glycoprotein of 237 aa with a single carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), closest in homology to those of the macrophage lectin and hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptors. The intracellular domain of DCIR contains a consensus immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif. A mouse cDNA, encoding a homologous protein has been identified. Northern blot analysis showed DCIR mRNA to be predominantly transcribed in hematopoietic tissues. The gene encoding human DCIR was localized to chromosome 12p13, in a region close to the NK gene complex. Unlike members of this complex, DCIR displays a typical lectin CRD rather than an NK cell type extracellular domain, and was expressed on DC, monocytes, macrophages, B lymphocytes, and granulocytes, but not detected on NK and T cells. DCIR was strongly expressed by DC derived from blood monocytes cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4. DCIR was mostly expressed by monocyte-related rather than Langerhans cell related DC obtained from CD34+ progenitor cells. Finally, DCIR expression was down-regulated by signals inducing DC maturation such as CD40 ligand, LPS, or TNF-alpha. Thus, DCIR is differentially expressed on DC depending on their origin and stage of maturation/activation. DCIR represents a novel surface molecule expressed by Ag presenting cells, and of potential importance in regulation of DC function.     

Characterization of rat OX40 ligand by monoclonal antibody

OX40 (CD134) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily first identified as a rat T cell activation marker. We previously identified the rat ligand for OX40 (OX40L) by molecular cloning. In the present study, we newly generated an anti-rat OX40L mAb (ATM-2) that can inhibit the binding of OX40 to rat OX40L and thus efficiently inhibits the T cell costimulatory activity of rat OX40L. Flow cytometric analyses using ATM-2 and an anti-rat OX40 mAb (MRC OX40) indicated that OX40 was inducible on splenic CD4(+) T cells by stimulation with immobilized anti-CD3 mAb, while OX40L was not expressed on resting or activated T cells. OX40L was expressed on splenic B cells after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), but not on peritoneal macrophages. Interestingly, splenic dendritic cells (DC) expressed OX40L constitutively, which was further upregulated by LPS stimulation. The potent costimulatory activities of splenic DC for anti-CD3-stimulated rat CD4(+) T cell proliferation and cytokine (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-13) production were substantially inhibited by ATM-2. These results indicated that OX40L is expressed on professional antigen-presenting cells (APC), and may be involved in humoral immune responses via T-B interaction and in cellular immune responses via T-DC interaction in the rat system.     

FDF03, a novel inhibitory receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is expressed by human dendritic and myeloid cells

In this study, we describe human FDF03, a novel member of the Ig superfamily expressed as a monomeric 44-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein and containing a single extracellular V-set Ig-like domain. Two potential secreted isoforms were also identified. The gene encoding FDF03 mapped to chromosome 7q22. FDF03 was mostly detected in hemopoietic tissues and was expressed by monocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes, but not by lymphocytes (B, T, and NK cells), indicating an expression restricted to cells of the myelomonocytic lineage. FDF03 was also strongly expressed by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) and preferentially by CD14+/CD1a- DC derived from CD34+ progenitors. Moreover, flow cytometric analysis showed FDF03 expression by CD11c+ blood and tonsil DC, but not by CD11c- DC precursors. The FDF03 cytoplasmic tail contained two immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM)-like sequences. When overexpressed in pervanadate-treated U937 cells, FDF03 was tyrosine-phosphorylated and recruited Src homology-2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-2 and to a lesser extent SHP-1. Like engagement of the ITIM-bearing receptor LAIR-1/p40, cross-linking of FDF03 inhibited calcium mobilization in response to CD32/FcgammaRII aggregation in transfected U937 cells, thus demonstrating that FDF03 can function as an inhibitory receptor. However, in contrast to LAIR-1/p40, cross-linking of FDF03 did not inhibit GM-CSF-induced monocyte differentiation into DC. Thus, FDF03 is a novel ITIM-bearing receptor selectively expressed by cells of myeloid origin, including DC, that may regulate functions other than that of the broadly distributed LAIR-1/p40 molecule.     

Identification of a human homologue of the dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1, dectin-1

Previously we identified the novel type II lectin receptor, dectin-1, that is expressed preferentially by murine antigen presenting dendritic cells (DC) and is involved in co-stimulation of T cells by DC. To identify the human homologue (DECTIN-1), we employed degenerative PCR amplification of mRNA isolated from DC and subsequent cDNA cloning. DECTIN-1 is a type II lectin receptor with high homology to type II lectin receptors expressed by natural killer (NK) cells. It contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif within the cytoplasmic domain. Human DECTIN-1 mRNA is expressed predominantly by peripheral blood leukocytes and preferentially by DC. The mRNA likely encodes a 33 kDa glycoprotein. In human epidermis, the protein is expressed selectively by Langerhans cells, which are an epidermal subset of DC. A truncated form of DECTIN-1 RNA (termed T beta) encodes for a polypeptide lacking almost the entire neck domain, which is required for accessibility of the carbohydrate recognition domain to ligands. Genome analysis showed the deleted amino acid sequence in T beta to be encoded by an exon, indicating that T beta RNA is produced by alternative splicing. DECTIN-1 gene maps to chromosome 12, between p13.2 and p12.3, close to the NK gene complex (12p13.1 to p13.2) which contains genes for NK lectin receptors. Our results indicate that human DECTIN-1 shares many features with mouse dectin-1, including the generation of neck domain-lacking isoforms, which may down-regulate the co-stimulatory function of dectin-1.     

Activation of T cells through a T cell-specific epitope of CD45.

The 180- and 190-kDa isoforms of CD45 are preferentially expressed on the helper inducer (memory) subset of CD4 cells. In order to generate monoclonal antibodies against the extracellular domains of these isoforms and determine whether they could regulate the function and activation of these cells, we developed a mAb, anti-4H2D, by immunizing Balb/c mice with an isogenic mouse pre-B cell line expressing the human 190-kDa CD45 isoform. Anti-4H2D reacts with approximately 60% of T cells, 70% of CD4 cells, and 60% of CD8 cells. The CD4 cell population defined by this mAb corresponds functionally and phenotypically to that defined by the CD45RO+CD29+ subset. Western blotting demonstrated that anti-4H2D reacts primarily with the 190-kDa isoform of CD45 and to a minor extent, the 205- and 180-kDa CD45 isoforms. Interestingly, this mAb reacted with only a subpopulation of mature thymocytes and peripheral T cells, despite the fact that the 190-kDa CD45 isoform, as well as CD45RO and CD29, is more widely distributed on cells of hematopoietic origin. The 4H2D epitope was neuraminidase sensitive, indicating that anti-4H2D reacts with a carbohydrate epitope which is present on only a subset of the T cells containing the 190-kDa CD45 isoform epitopes. Functional studies showed that soluble anti-4H2D augmented T cell proliferation induced by the CD2 and CD3 pathways, and treatment of T cells with this mAb up-regulated [Ca2+]i flux induced by both anti-CD2 and anti-CD3 mAbs. These results suggest that the 190-kDa CD45 isoform on human CD4 cells is heterogeneous and that the 190-kDa isoform recognized by anti-4H2D regulates the function and activation of CD4 helper T cells.     

Ligation of human CD46 with purified complement C3b or F(ab')(2) of monoclonal antibodies enhances isoform-specific interferon gamma-dependent nitric oxide production in macrophages

CD46, a complement regulatory protein widely expressed on human cells, serves as an entry receptor for measles virus (MV). We have previously shown that the expression of human CD46 in mouse macrophages restricts MV replication in these cells and enhances the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the presence of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). In this study, we show that crosslinking human CD46 expressed on the mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 with purified C3b multimer but not monomer enhances NO production. The enhanced production of NO in response to IFN-gamma was observed again with C3b multimer but not monomer. The augmentation of NO production is human CD46-dependent with a CYT1>CYT2 profile. Thus, the reported MV-mediated NO production, irrespective of whether it is IFN-gamma-dependent or -independent, should be largely attributable to CD46 signaling but not to MV replication. Similar CYT1-dependent augmentation of NO production was reproducible with two CD46 ligating reagents, CD46-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or their F(ab')(2) and MV hemagglutinin (H) and fusion (F) glycoproteins. Co-cultivation of mouse macrophages bearing human CD46 with Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing MV H and F enhanced IFN-gamma-induced NO production. Yet, the NO levels induced by F(ab')(2) against CD46 or MV H/F on CHO cells were much lower than those induced by CD46-crosslinking mAb with Fc or MV infection. Removing the cytoplasmic tails of CD46 abrogated the augmentation of NO production triggered by all three stimulators. Thus, the CD46 CYT1 and CYT2 isoforms functionally diverge to elicit innate immune responses, which can be modulated by purified C3b multimer or anti-CD46 mAbs.     

Crystal structure of the carbohydrate recognition domain of the H1 subunit of the asialoglycoprotein receptor

The human asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), also called hepatic lectin, is an integral membrane protein and is responsible for the clearance of desialylated, galactose-terminal glycoproteins from the circulation by receptor-mediated endocytosis. It can be subdivided into four functional domains: the cytosolic domain, the transmembrane domain, the stalk and the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). The galactose-binding domains belong to the superfamily of C-type (calcium-dependent) lectins, in particular to the long-form subfamily with three conserved intramolecular disulphide bonds. It is able to bind terminal non-reducing galactose residues and N-acetyl-galactosamine residues of desialated tri or tetra-antennary N-linked glycans. The ASGPR is a potential liver-specific receptor for hepatitis B virus and Marburg virus and has been used to target exogenous molecules specifically to hepatocytes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.Here, we present the X-ray crystal structure of the carbohydrate recognition domain of the major subunit H1 at 2.3 A resolution. While the overall fold of this and other known C-type lectin structures are well conserved, the positions of the bound calcium ions are not, indicating that the fold is stabilised by alternative mechanisms in different branches of the C-type lectin family. It is the first CRD structure where three calcium ions form an intergral part of the structure. In addition, the structure provides direct confirmation for the conversion of the ligand-binding site of the mannose-binding protein to an asialoglycoprotein receptor-like specificity suggested by Drickamer and colleagues. In agreement with the prediction that the coiled-coil domain of the ASGPR is separated from the CRD and its N-terminal disulphide bridge by several residues, these residues are indeed not alpha-helical, while in tetranectin they form an alpha-helical coiled-coil.     

表达人去唾液酸糖蛋白受体分子细胞系的建立

目的构建稳定表达人肝细胞表面分子去唾液酸糖蛋白受体（asialoglycoprotein receptor,ASGPR）的细胞系。方法逆转录PCR扩增人肝组织ASGPR大亚基H1全编码序列,插入到真核表达载体plRES2EGFP中,重组质粒pIRES2EGFP／ASGPRH1转染HeLa细胞,G418筛选,RT—PCR,Western印迹及免疫荧光检测ASGPRH1的表达。结果成功构建了pIRES2EGFP／ASGPRH1重组质粒,该质粒转染HeLa细胞后,Western印迹及免疫荧光均检测到ASGPRHI蛋白的表达。结论成功建立了稳定表达人ASGPRH1的细胞系,为进一步研究ASGPR分子奠定了基础。     

Bidirectional negative regulation of human T and dendritic cells by CD47 and its cognate receptor signal-regulator protein-alpha: down-regulation of IL-12 responsiveness and inhibition of dendritic cell activation

Proinflammatory molecules, including IFN-gamma and IL-12, play a crucial role in the elimination of causative agents. To allow healing, potent anti-inflammatory processes are required to down-regulate the inflammatory response. In this study, we first show that CD47/integrin-associated protein, a ubiquitous multispan transmembrane protein highly expressed on T cells, interacts with signal-regulator protein (SIRP)-alpha, an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif-containing molecule selectively expressed on myelomonocytic cells, and next demonstrate that this pair of molecules negatively regulates human T and dendritic cell (DC) function. CD47 ligation by CD47 mAb or L-SIRP-alpha transfectants inhibits IL-12R expression and down-regulates IL-12 responsiveness of activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) adult T cells without affecting their response to IL-2. Human CD47-Fc fusion protein binds SIRP-alpha expressed on immature DC and mature DC. SIRP-alpha engagement by CD47-Fc prevents the phenotypic and functional maturation of immature DC and still inhibits cytokine production by mature DC. Finally, in allogeneic MLR between mDC and naive T cells, CD47-Fc decreases IFN-gamma production after priming and impairs the development of a Th1 response. Therefore, CD47 on T cells and its cognate receptor SIRP-alpha on DC define a novel regulatory pathway that may be involved in the maintenance of homeostasis by preventing the escalation of the inflammatory immune response.     

CD63 as an activation-linked T cell costimulatory element

Dendritic cells (DC) are unique in their capacity to either stimulate or regulate T cells, and receptor/ligand pairs on DC and T cells are critically involved in this process. In this study we present such a molecule, which was discovered by us when analyzing the functional effects of an anti-DC mAb. This mAb, 11C9, reacted strongly with DC, but only minimally with lymphocytes. In MLR it constantly reduced DC-induced T cell activation. Therefore, we assumed that mAb 11C9 primarily exerts its functions by binding to a DC-structure. This does not seem to be the case, however. Preincubation of DC with mAb 11C9 before adding T cells had no inhibitory effect on T cell responses. Retroviral expression cloning identified the 11C9 Ag as CD63. This lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP-3), is only minimally expressed on resting T cells but can, as we show, quickly shift to the surface upon stimulation. Cross-linkage of that structure together with TCR-triggering induces strong T cell activation. CD63 on T cells thus represents an alternative target for mAb 11C9 with its binding to activated T cells rather than DC being responsible for the observed functional effects. This efficient CD63-mediated costimulation of T cells is characterized by pronounced induction of proliferation, strong IL-2 production and compared with CD28 enhanced T cell responsiveness to restimulation. Particularly in this latter quality CD63 clearly surpasses several other CD28-independent costimulatory pathways previously described. CD63 thus represents an activation-induced reinforcing element, whose triggering promotes sustained and efficient T cell activation and expansion.     

Molecular cloning,expression pattern and chromosomal mapping of pig CD69

CD69 is a type II membrane protein belonging to C-type lectin family receptor, and expressed on activated leukocytes. Pig CD69 was cloned by RT-PCR using degenerate primers. Pig CD69 cDNA contains a 600 bp open reading frame with its predicted polypeptide sequence of 200 amino acids. Pig CD69 has 75%, 67%, and 57% sequence identity with cow, human, and mouse CD69, respectively. A splicing isoform, which lacks exon 2 encoding the transmembrane domain, was detected. Pig CD69 gene is located on Chromosome (Chr) 5q25 where the NKG2D gene was mapped. In RT-PCR analysis, pig CD69 mRNA was detected in activated PBL, NK cells, macrophages, monocytes, and granulocytes, but not in resting cells. The inducers for CD69 gene expression were PMA, PHA, LPS, G7 mAb, PNK-E mAb, PM16-6 mAb and the K562 cell line. Moreover, CD69 mRNA is expressed in bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes but not in muscle, mammary gland, or the pig kidney cell line (LLC-PK(1)). These results indicate that pig Chr 5q25 contains the NK gene complex and CD69 can be used as an activation marker in pig cells of innate as well as acquired immune systems.     

CD44H regulates tumor cell migration on hyaluronate-coated substrate

CD44 is a broadly distributed cell surface glycoprotein expressed in different isoforms in various tissues and cell lines. One of two recently characterized human isoforms, CD44H, is a cell surface receptor for hyaluronate, suggesting a role in the regulation of cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions as well as of cell migration. While CD44H has been shown to mediate cell adhesion, direct demonstration that CD44H expression promotes cell motility has been lacking. In this work we show that a human melanoma cell line, stably transfected with CD44H, displays enhanced motility on hyaluronate-coated surfaces while transfectants expressing an isoform that does not bind hyaluronate, CD44E, fail to do so. Migration of CD44H-expressing transfectants is observed to be blocked by a soluble CD44-immunoglobulin fusion protein as well as by anti-CD44 antibody, and to depend on the presence of the cytoplasmic domain of CD44. However, cells expressing CD44H cytoplasmic deletion mutants retain significant binding capacity to hyaluronate-coated substrate. Taken together, our results provide direct evidence that CD44H plays a major role in regulating cell migration on hyaluronate-coated substrate.     

Lymphocyte activation gene-3, a MHC class II ligand expressed on activated T cells, stimulates TNF-alpha and IL-12 production by monocytes and dendritic cells

Lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) is an MHC class II ligand structurally and genetically related to CD4. Although its expression is restricted to activated T cells and NK cells, the functions of LAG-3 remain to be elucidated. Here, we report on the expression and function of LAG-3 on proinflammatory bystander T cells that are activated in the absence of TCR engagement. LAG-3 is expressed at high levels on human T cells cocultured with autologous monocytes and IL-2 and synergizes with the low levels of CD40 ligand (CD40L) expressed on these cells to trigger TNF-alpha and IL-12 production by monocytes. Indeed, anti-LAG-3 mAb inhibits both IL-12 and IFN-gamma production in IL-2-stimulated cocultures of T cells and autologous monocytes. Soluble LAG-3Ig fusion protein markedly enhances IL-12 production by monocytes stimulated with infra-optimal concentrations of sCD40L, whereas it directly stimulates monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) for the production of TNF-alpha and IL-12, unravelling an enhanced responsiveness to MHC class II engagemenent in DC as compared with activated monocytes. Thus similar to CD40L, LAG-3 may be involved in the proinflammatory activity of cytokine-activated bystander T cells and most importantly it may directly activate DC.     

Expression of CR2 (the C3dg/EBV receptor, CD21) on normal human peripheral blood T lymphocytes.

The expression of CR2 (the C3dg/EBV receptor, CD21) on normal human T lymphocytes was investigated using purified peripheral blood T cells and indirect immunofluorescence with biotinylated anti-CR2 mAb and streptavidin-phycoerythrin. Thirty to 40% of normal peripheral blood T lymphocytes expressed CR2 Ag. The cells expressed three nonoverlapping epitopes of CR2. The specificity of the staining for CR2 epitopes was demonstrated by the ability of unlabeled anti-CR2 mAb but not of anti-CR1 mAb of the same isotype to compete for the binding of biotinylated anti-CR2 mAb to T cells. The intensity of staining of T lymphocytes with anti-CR2 mAb was approximately 10-fold lower than that of peripheral blood B cells. CR2 was immunoprecipitated from purified T lymphocytes as a single protein of apparent Mr 145,000. The presence of CR2 on normal human T lymphocytes suggests that the receptor may modulate the function of T cells in the immune response and the susceptibility of the cells to infection by lymphocytotropic viruses.     

CD40 signaling activates CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1)-mediated adhesion in B cells.

Cell-cell adhesion events play critical roles in the sequential migrations and multiple specific cell-cell interactions which B cells undergo during normal development and function. We have observed that mAb to several B cell-associated molecules, including mAb to CD19, CD37, and CD40, induce homotypic aggregation of freshly isolated human B cells. The aggregation of B cells induced by CD40 mAb was due to activation of a cell-cell adhesion system, and not due to agglutination by mAb, because 1) in addition to being energy dependent and cation dependent, the aggregation was blocked by inhibitors of messenger RNA and protein synthesis; and 2) a mouse B cell line transformed with intact human CD40 aggregated in response to CD40 mAb, whereas a line expressing surface CD40, but lacking the cytoplasmic tail and previously shown incapable of transmitting a signal from the cell surface, did not aggregate. The aggregation, although of slow onset, was persistent and of high avidity. In addition, CD40 mAb induced increased surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54), a ligand for CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1), and CD18 mAb blocked aggregation. CD40 mAb also augmented the ability of dense B cells to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T cells via a CD18-dependent process. We conclude that signaling through CD40, elicited by cross-linking the CD40 protein on the cell surface, activates the CD18/intercellular adhesion molecule adhesion system; in addition, CD40 cross-linking may activate a second adhesion system since CD40 mAb induced aggregation of the B cell line Ramos, which does not express surface CD18. B cell adhesion may be triggered by signaling through multiple surface proteins, thereby lending specificity of activation to adhesion systems which are broadly expressed.     

Platelets, after exposure to a high shear stress, induce IL-10-producing, mature dendritic cells in vitro

There is evidence for immune system involvement in atherogenesis. In the present study the effect of platelets on dendritic cells (DC), an important immunologic regulator, was examined in vitro. Platelet-rich plasma, after exposure to shear stress, was added to human monocyte-derived immature DC, which were then examined for surface Ag expression, allogeneic T lymphocyte stimulatory activity, and cytokine production. After exposure, the number of anti-CD40 ligand (anti-CD40L) and anti-P-selectin IgG molecules bound per platelet was increased. These activated platelets induced DC maturation, as revealed by significant up-regulation of CD83, CD80, and CD86 Ags. The addition of platelets in the presence of IFN-gamma plus LPS significantly enhanced IL-10 production from immature DC. After platelet addition, mature DC provoked a significant proliferation of allogeneic naive T lymphocytes. These activated T cells showed lower IFN-gamma production than those stimulated by LPS- and IFN-gamma-treated DC. CD40L on the platelet surface was not involved in maturation of DC, as mAb to CD40L failed to block maturation. The effect of platelets was observed even if platelets and DC were separated using large pore-sized membranes or when platelets were depleted from plasma by centrifugation. Furthermore, it was abrogated after the depletion of protein fraction. Thus, soluble protein factors excreted from activated platelets contribute to IL-10-producing DC maturation.     

The novel endocytic and phagocytic C-Type lectin receptor DCL-1/CD302 on macrophages is colocalized with F-actin, suggesting a role in cell adhesion and migration

C-type lectin receptors play important roles in mononuclear phagocytes, which link innate and adaptive immunity. In this study we describe characterization of the novel type I transmembrane C-type lectin DCL-1/CD302 at the molecular and cellular levels. DCL-1 protein was highly conserved among the human, mouse, and rat orthologs. The human DCL-1 (hDCl-1) gene, composed of six exons, was located in a cluster of type I transmembrane C-type lectin genes on chromosomal band 2q24. Multiple tissue expression array, RT-PCR, and FACS analysis using new anti-hDCL-1 mAbs established that DCL-1 expression in leukocytes was restricted to monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, and dendritic cells, although DCL-1 mRNA was present in many tissues. Stable hDCL-1 Chinese hamster ovary cell transfectants endocytosed FITC-conjugated anti-hDCL-1 mAb rapidly (t(1/2) = 20 min) and phagocytosed anti-hDCL-1 mAb-coated microbeads, indicating that DCL-1 may act as an Ag uptake receptor. However, anti-DCL-1 mAb-coated microbead binding and subsequent phagocytic uptake by macrophages was approximately 8-fold less efficient than that of anti-macrophage mannose receptor (MMR/CD206) or anti-DEC-205/CD205 mAb-coated microbeads. Confocal studies showed that DCL-1 colocalized with F-actin in filopodia, lamellipodia, and podosomes in macrophages and that this was unaffected by cytochalasin D, whereas the MMR/CD206 and DEC-205/CD205 did not colocalize with F-actin. Furthermore, when transiently expressed in COS-1 cells, DCL-1-EGFP colocalized with F-actin at the cellular cortex and microvilli. These data suggest that hDCL-1 is an unconventional lectin receptor that plays roles not only in endocytosis/phagocytosis but also in cell adhesion and migration and thus may become a target for therapeutic manipulation.     

Detection of surface asialoglycoprotein receptor expression in hepatic and extra-hepatic cells using a novel monoclonal antibody

The asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) is a heterodimeric membrane protein which is involved in the internalization of desialylated glycoproteins and also in the binding and uptake of various pathogenic viruses. To facilitate the analysis of ASGPR expression, we generated a monoclonal antibody, termed ASSA-1, that is specific to the ASGPR H1 subunit based on ELISA and Western blots analysis. ASSA-1 also reacted to surface-displayed ASGPR in live cells thus enabling analysis of ASGPR expression by immunofluorescence flow cytometry, which we used to analyze established human liver cell lines previously confirmed to be positive for ASGPR mRNA expression. In agreement with previous reports, surface ASGPR was also detected in extra-hepatic cells and, surprisingly, even in human T cell lines, which was then further confirmed in activated, but not in resting, primary human peripheral blood lymphocytes. These observations suggest that ASGPR has a broad pattern of expression that even extends into cells from the immune system, which biological meanings still have to be analyzed. We expect that monoclonal antibody ASSA-1 will serve as a new powerful tool in analyzing the biological role of ASGPR in hepatic and extra-hepatic cells.