Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN), a specific C-type lectin expressed on DC, binds and transmits different pathogens to susceptible cells. In the present study, we examined the role of DC-SIGN in the capture of human papillomavirus (HPV) pseudovirions and activation of DC. We demonstrate that HPV virus-like particles (VLP) bind to DC-SIGN expressed on transfected Raji cells and that antibodies against DC-SIGN block this interaction. DC take up VLP, which activate expression of costimulatory markers and cytokines/ chemokines. Although our results indicate that DC-SIGN is not the major receptor for VLP in DC, this interaction contributes to the activation of DC surface antigens (HLA class I) and of various cytokines/chemokines, particularly TNF-a, IL-6, and RANTES. Induction of these markers in DC by VLP was significantly abrogated when binding to DC-SIGN was blocked by anti-DC-SIGN antibodies. These results suggest that DC-SIGN has a functional role in DC activation induced by HPV-16 L1-VLP, and thus highlight new aspects of DC interactions with HPV VLP.
IntroductionThe C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN; CD209) is a pathogen recognition receptor that interacts with mannose residues of glycoproteins in a calciumdependent manner via its C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain [1,2]. DC-SIGN acts both as an adhesion molecule and pathogen recognition receptor, facilitating DC binding and internalization of several viruses, including HIV-1 [3].In addition to HIV, DC-SIGN was recently shown to bind a variety of microorganisms such as CMV [4], Ebola virus [5], Dengue virus [6], hepatitis C virus [7,8], simian immunodeficiency virus [9], Leishmania [10], Candida albicans [11], Mycobacterium [12][13][14] and Schistosoma [15]. Some pathogens subvert DC functions to escape immune surveillance [16]. DC-SIGN is abundantly expressed primarily on DC, including those derived from monocytes and those located beneath the genital surface [3].Human papillomavirus (HPV) virus-like particles (VLP) are a promising vaccine candidate for HPV and cervical cancer [17][18][19][20]. Recent clinical trials have shown that VLP afford excellent protection against persistent infection [20,21]. Because of the lack of a suitable cell culture system for in vitro propagation of HPV and the unavailability of virions, HPV VLP have been used as soluble surrogates for native virus particles. The routes of HPV-16 L1-VLP entry in DC and the nature of cellular receptors involved in capture have been studied but remain to be fully characterized. HPV VLP Here, we report that HPV-16 L1-VLP particles bind to DC-SIGN in transfected cell lines, and to a lesser extent in DC, and that this interaction participates in L1-VLPinduced activation of DC. Thus, DC-SIGN is likely involved in DC activation by HPV VLP.
Results and discussion HPV L1-VLP bind to DC-SIGN in DC-SIGN-transfected cell linesTo study interactions between L1-VLP and DC-SIGN, we...