Dendritic cell alternative receptors

The term Dendritic cell alternative receptors does not refer to a single canonical protein or therapeutic target but is instead a descriptive category used in scientific literature to describe various surface molecules on dendritic cells (DCs) that pathogens utilize for entry or interaction, often in the absence of or in addition to their primary receptors. Common examples of molecules described as alternative receptors on DCs include DC-SIGN (CD209), which acts as an alternative receptor for viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV-1, and Ebola, and BDCA2 (CD303), which can serve as an alternative receptor for HIV-1 on plasmacytoid dendritic cells. These receptors typically belong to the C-type lectin family and play roles in antigen capture and immune modulation, but they are also exploited by pathogens to facilitate infection or evade immune responses. Because this is a functional grouping rather than a specific molecular entity, it is not considered a standardized therapeutic target in drug development databases.

Other names

Alternative receptors for pathogens on dendritic cellsAlternative viral entry receptors on DCs

Not applicable as this is a descriptive category rather than a single therapeutic target.