Galactofuranose-coated gold nanoparticles elicit a pro-inflammatory response in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and are recognized by DC-SIGN

ACS Chem Biol. 2014 Feb 21;9(2):383-9. doi: 10.1021/cb4008265. Epub 2013 Dec 9.

Abstract

Galactofuranose (Galf) is the five-membered ring form of galactose exclusively found in nonmammalian species, among which several are pathogens. To determine the putative role of this carbohydrate in host-pathogen interactions, we synthesized multivalent gold nanoparticles carrying Galf (Galf-GNPs) and show that they are recognized by the EB-A2 antibody, which is widely used to detect Galf-containing galactomannan in the serum of Aspergillosis patients. We demonstrated that human monocyte-derived dendritic cells bound Galf-GNPs via interaction with the lectin DC-SIGN. Moreover, interaction of dendritic cells with Galf-GNPs resulted in increased expression of several maturation markers on these cells and induced secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. These data indicate that Galf is able to modulate the innate immune response via dendritic cells. In conclusion, Galf-GNPs are a versatile tool that can be applied in multiple functional studies to gain a better understanding of the role of Galf in host-pathogen interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Galactose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Galactose / chemistry
  • Galactose / immunology*
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology*
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DC-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Gold
  • Galactose