DCIR is endocytosed into human dendritic cells and inhibits TLR8-mediated cytokine production

J Leukoc Biol. 2009 Mar;85(3):518-25. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0608352. Epub 2008 Nov 21.

Abstract

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) expressed on APCs play a pivotal role in the immune system as pattern-recognition and antigen-uptake receptors. In addition, they may signal directly, leading to cytokine production and immune modulation. To this end, some CLRs, like dectin-1 and dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR), contain intracellular ITIMs or ITAMs. In this study, we explored expression and function of the ITIM-containing CLR DCIR on professional APCs. DCIR is expressed on immature and mature monocyte-derived DCs (moDC) but also on monocytes, macrophages, B cells, and freshly isolated myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs. We show that endogenous DCIR is internalized efficiently into human moDC after triggering with DCIR-specific mAb. DCIR internalization is clathrin-dependent and leads to its localization in the endo-/lysosomal compartment, including lysosome-associated membrane protein-1+ lysosomes. DCIR triggering affected neither TLR4- nor TLR8-mediated CD80 and CD86 up-regulation. Interestingly, it did inhibit TLR8-mediated IL-12 and TNF-alpha production significantly, and TLR2-, TLR3-, or TLR4-induced cytokine production was not affected. Collectively, the data presented characterize DCIR as an APC receptor that is endocytosed efficiently in a clathrin-dependent manner and negatively affects TLR8-mediated cytokine production. These data provide further support to the concept of CLR/TLR cross-talk in modulating immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Endocytosis / immunology*
  • Endosomes
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-12 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • Lectins, C-Type / physiology
  • Lysosomes
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Receptor Cross-Talk / immunology
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • CLEC4A protein, human
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • TLR8 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-12