Dectin-3 Is Not Required for Protection against Cryptococcus neoformans Infection

PLoS One. 2017 Jan 20;12(1):e0169347. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169347. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are diverse, trans-membrane proteins that function as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which are necessary for orchestrating immune responses against pathogens. CLRs have been shown to play a major role in recognition and protection against fungal pathogens. Dectin-3 (also known as MCL, Clecsf8, or Clec4d) is a myeloid cell-specific CLR that recognizes mycobacterial trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) as well as α-mannans present in the cell wall of fungal pathogens. To date, a potential role for Dectin-3 in the mediation of protective immune responses against C. neoformans has yet to be determined. Consequently, we evaluated the impact of Dectin-3 deficiency on the development of protective immune responses against C. neoformans using an experimental murine model of pulmonary cryptococcosis. Dectin-3 deficiency did not lead to increased susceptibility of mice to experimental pulmonary C. neoformans infection. Also, no significant differences in pulmonary leukocyte recruitment and cytokine production were observed in Dectin-3 deficient mice compared to wild type infected mice. In addition, we observed no differences in uptake and anti-cryptococcal activity of Dectin-3 deficient dendritic cells and macrophages. Altogether, our studies show that Dectin-3 is dispensable for mediating protective immune responses against pulmonary C. neoformans infection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology
  • Cryptococcosis / prevention & control*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / pathogenicity*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / physiology*
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Immunologic / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic / physiology*

Substances

  • Clec4d protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Receptors, Immunologic