The role of C-type lectins in the host defense against fungal infections

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23390101
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Bacteriology (including Mycology)
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: SAIJO Shinobu 千葉大学, 真菌医学研究センター, 特任准教授 (60396877)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): IWAKURA Yoichiro 東京理科大学, 生命医科学研究所, 教授 (10089120) ; YONEYAMA Mitsutoshi 千葉大学, 真菌医学研究センター, 教授 (40260335)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ｻｲﾄｶｲﾝ / C型レクチン / 真菌感染防御 / 遺伝子改変マウス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The C-type lectin is a large group of transmembrane and extracellular proteins and is characterized by the extracellular domain called CRD (carbohydrate binding domain). Although C-type lectins expressed in dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages had been suggested to be members of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), their functions have long been remained unclear. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of C-type lectins in the host defense against microbial infections. In this study, we found that Dectin-1 is a receptor for fungal cell wall beta-glucans and Dectin-2 is a receptor for another fungal cell wall carbohydrate alpha-mannans as well as bacterial cell wall component. More importantly, these C-type lectins are crucial for the host defense against fungal and bacterial infections. Thus, the studies clearly showed that both Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 are PRRs that control microbial infections.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学