Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (CLEC4E) (Mincle)

Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle), also known as CLEC4E, is a transmembrane receptor primarily expressed on myeloid cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages (UniProt Consortium, 2023) [2]. It functions as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that detects a variety of ligands, including fungal glycolipids and endogenous stress signals released from necrotic cells (Richardson et al., 2018) [3]. Recent research has identified Mincle as the specific receptor for Art v 6, a calmodulin-like allergen from mugwort pollen, which triggers allergic sensitization (Schwarzenbacher et al., 2020) [1]. Upon ligand binding, Mincle signals through the FcRγ-Syk-CARD9 pathway to induce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote Th2-type immune responses (Schwarzenbacher et al., 2020) [1]. This interaction makes Mincle a significant target for understanding the molecular basis of pollen allergies and developing novel immunotherapies. Beyond allergy, Mincle is involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and infectious diseases, where its modulation could offer therapeutic benefits (Richardson et al., 2018) [3]. The signaling machinery engaged by this receptor includes the Fc receptor gamma chain and the tyrosine kinase Syk, which are essential for translating allergen recognition into cellular activation. Targeting this pathway offers a potential route to block the initiation of allergic cascades before the development of chronic symptoms. Current research is exploring both small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies to modulate Mincle activity in various clinical contexts.

Other names

CLEC4EMincleC-type lectin domain family 4 member ECLECSF9

Mincle acts as a pattern recognition receptor that, upon binding to ligands like the mugwort allergen Art v 6, recruits the Fc receptor gamma chain (FcRγ) to initiate signaling, leading to Syk activation and Th2 cell differentiation (Schwarzenbacher et al., 2020) [1].