Pathogen recognition by DC-SIGN shapes adaptive immunity

Dendritic cells (DCs) tailor adaptive immune responses to specific pathogens. This diversity is mediated by cooperation between different pattern recognition receptors that are triggered by specific pathogens, DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) is a pattern recognition receptor with a broad pathogen recognition specificity as a result of its affinity for mannose and fucose carbohydrates. DC-SIGN induces very diverse immune responses to different pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, helminths and viruses. Recent data show that DC-SIGN triggering by pathogens modulates Toll-like receptor signaling at the level of nuclear factor-kappa B. In this article, we will discuss the signaling pathways induced by DC-SIGN and its central role in the regulation of adaptive immunity to bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.