Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) is expressed mainly in macrophages and is induced after exposure to various stimuli and stresses. The authors show that Mincle selectively associated with the Fc receptor common γ-chain and activated macrophages to produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

Mincle-expressing cells were activated in the presence of dead cells, and authors identified SAP130, a component of small nuclear ribonucloprotein, as a Mincle ligand that is released from dead cells.

These results suggest that Mincle is a receptor that senses nonhomeostatic cell death and thereby induces the production of inflammatory cytokines to drive the infiltration of neutrophils into damaged tissue.

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