Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin 1 and 2 (Dectin-1/2)

Dectin-1 (CLEC7A) and Dectin-2 (CLEC6A) are key C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) primarily expressed on myeloid cells, including dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. They function as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize fungal cell wall components: Dectin-1 binds to beta-1,3-linked glucans, while Dectin-2 recognizes alpha-mannans. Upon ligand binding, both receptors signal through the Syk-CARD9-Malt1 pathway to induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-23) and drive the differentiation of Th17 and Th1 cells, which are essential for antifungal immunity. Beyond their role in infection, Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 are significant therapeutic targets in oncology, where agonists are used to repolarize immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) into an immunostimulatory M1 phenotype to enhance anti-tumor T-cell responses. Clinical-stage candidates include Imprime PGG (a Dectin-1 agonist) and BDC-3042 (a Dectin-2 agonist antibody), as well as bispecific antibodies like DR-0201 that leverage Dectin-1 for targeted phagocytosis of B cells in autoimmune diseases.

Other names

CLEC7ACLEC6ACLEC4NBGRCD369CLECSF12CLECSF10Dectin-1Dectin-2

Agonism of the Syk-CARD9-Malt1 signaling pathway to stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses, including macrophage repolarization and targeted phagocytosis.