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  • DC-SIGN, a dendritic cell-specific HIV-1-binding protein that enhances trans-infection of T cells.

DC-SIGN, a dendritic cell-specific HIV-1-binding protein that enhances trans-infection of T cells.

Cell (2000-03-18)
T B Geijtenbeek, D S Kwon, R Torensma, S J van Vliet, G C van Duijnhoven, J Middel, I L Cornelissen, H S Nottet, V N KewalRamani, D R Littman, C G Figdor, Y van Kooyk
PMID10721995
ABSTRACT

Dendritic cells (DC) capture microorganisms that enter peripheral mucosal tissues and then migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, where they present these in antigenic form to resting T cells and thus initiate adaptive immune responses. Here, we describe the properties of a DC-specific C-type lectin, DC-SIGN, that is highly expressed on DC present in mucosal tissues and binds to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120. DC-SIGN does not function as a receptor for viral entry into DC but instead promotes efficient infection in trans of cells that express CD4 and chemokine receptors. We propose that DC-SIGN efficiently captures HIV-1 in the periphery and facilitates its transport to secondary lymphoid organs rich in T cells, to enhance infection in trans of these target cells.