DC-SIGN, a C-type lectin on dendritic cells that unveils many aspects of dendritic cell biology.
Dendritic cells (DC) are present in essentially every tissue where they operate at the interface of innate and acquired immunity by recognizing pathogens and presenting pathogen-derived peptides to T cells. It is becoming clear that not all C-type lectins on DC serve as antigen receptors recognizing pathogens through carbohydrate structures. The C-type lectin DC-SIGN is unique in that it regulates adhesion processes, such as DC trafficking and T-cell synapse formation, as well as antigen capture. Moreover, even though several C-type lectins have been shown to bind HIV-1, DC-SIGN does not only capture HIV-1 but also protects it in early endosomes allowing HIV-1 transport by DC to lymphoid tissues, where it enhances trans infection of T cells. Here we discuss the carbohydrate/protein recognition profile and other features of DC-SIGN that contribute to the potency of DC to control immunity.