DNGR-1/CD370
DNGR-1, formally CLEC9A and assigned CD370, is a C-type lectin-like receptor whose expression is restricted to the cross-presenting dendritic cell lineage: mouse CD8alpha-positive dendritic cells and their human CD141-positive counterparts, together with a fraction of NK cells. Unlike sugar-binding lectins, DNGR-1 recognizes exposed F-actin on dead and damaged cells, allowing uptake of necrotic cell-associated antigen for processing on MHC class I. This dead-cell sensing function is central to cross-presentation of tissue-derived antigens and has made CLEC9A a preferred docking receptor for dendritic cell-targeted vaccine designs, with XCR1 co-expression serving as a hallmark of this dendritic cell subset.
