DC-SIGN2/CLEC4M/CD299

CD299, commonly called L-SIGN or DC-SIGNR and encoded by CLEC4M, is the close paralog of DC-SIGN. Unlike its dendritic cell-restricted relative, L-SIGN expression is concentrated on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, on placental macrophages and in the lymph node medulla, anatomical sites that interface with blood-borne pathogens. Its extracellular carbohydrate-recognition domain and tetrameric neck architecture mirror DC-SIGN and bind high-mannose glycans, enabling capture of a similar spectrum of viruses, including SARS coronavirus, HIV, HCV, dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2, as well as mycobacteria. Pathogen capture by L-SIGN can facilitate either clearance or trans-infection, and neck-region repeat polymorphisms influence susceptibility to several infections.