Dectin-1 is a C-type lectin receptor expressed by macrophages, monocytes, dendrtic cells, neutrophils, and a subset of γδ T cells. Dectin-1 is a glycoprotein with eight different isoforms, generated through alternative splicing. It plays an important role in anti-fungal immunity by acting as a pattern recognition receptor for β-glucans found on the cell wall of fungi and some bacteria. Dectin-1 is composed of a short amino-terminal cytoplasmic domain containing an ITAM-like motif, a transmembrane domain, and an extracellular carboxy-terminal C-type lectin domain. Dectin-1 recognizes β-glucans through its C-type lectin domain and transduces signals through its ITAM-like motif by recruiting and activating Syk. Dendritic cells activated through Dectin-1 promote differentiation of Th17 cells by producing IL-6 and IL-23.
