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Research
2008.10.01
Mincle is an ITAM-coupled activating receptor that senses damaged cells. (Prof. Saito in Nature Immunology)
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.
Contact:
Takashi SaitoLaboratory for Cell Signaling,
Research Center for Allergy and Immunology, RIKEN
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Turumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045
(Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Immunology Frontier Research Center)
Tel: +81-45-503-7095
E-mail: saito@rcai.riken.jp