CD209 antigen (DC-SIGN)

CD209, commonly known as DC-SIGN (Dendritic Cell-Specific Intercellular adhesion molecule-3-Grabbing Non-integrin), is a type II transmembrane protein belonging to the C-type lectin receptor family [UniProt, Q9NNX6]. It is primarily expressed on the surface of dendritic cells and certain macrophages, where it functions as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that identifies high-mannose and fucose-containing glycans on the surface of various pathogens [NCBI Gene, 30835]. DC-SIGN plays a dual role in the immune system: it facilitates the capture and internalization of antigens for presentation to T cells, and it mediates cell-to-cell adhesion by binding to ICAM-3 on T cells and ICAM-2 on endothelial cells [PubMed, PMID: 10675330]. However, many pathogens, including HIV-1, Ebola virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and SARS-CoV-2, exploit DC-SIGN to enhance infection or evade immune detection [PubMed, PMID: 32814024]. Consequently, DC-SIGN is a significant therapeutic target for developing antiviral and antimicrobial agents, as well as immunomodulatory therapies. Current drug development efforts focus on carbohydrate-based glycomimetics and monoclonal antibodies designed to block the carbohydrate recognition domain, thereby preventing pathogen entry and modulating immune signaling pathways [PubMed, PMID: 28643316].

Other names

Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrinCLEC4LCD209DC-SIGN1

Competitive inhibition of the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) to prevent pathogen binding and entry; modulation of dendritic cell signaling to alter cytokine production.