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

The Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin receptor (Mincle) is a transmembrane pattern recognition receptor belonging to the C-type lectin superfamily. It is encoded by the gene CLEC4E. Mincle recognizes a broad range of lipidic species from both self and foreign sources, including sterols like cholesterol, β-glucosylceramides from damaged cells or lysosomal storage disorders, SAP130 protein released upon cell death, as well as microbial glycolipids such as trehalose dimycolate from mycobacteria. Upon ligand binding at its carbohydrate recognition domain—which includes a Ca2+-dependent monosaccharide-binding site—Mincle signals through an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-containing adaptor molecule to activate Syk-CARD9-Bcl10-MALT1 signaling pathways leading to NF-kB activation. This results in robust pro-inflammatory cytokine production but can also induce anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 under certain conditions. Mincle plays critical roles in innate immunity against infections and endogenous inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis or cancer-associated inflammation.[1][2][6]

Other names

MincleCLEC4EClec4emacrophage inducible Ca2+-dependent lectin receptor