Targeting the Dectin-1 Receptor in Neuroinflammation: Therapeutic Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Exploring the role of the pattern recognition receptor Dectin-1 in neurological diseases emerges as an important target for understanding the biochemical and physiological dynamics of neuropathologies. From this perspective, Dectin-1, protein encoded by the CLEC7A gene, stands out for its important role in antifungal immunity; however, the receptor also proves crucial in enabling the immune response of the central nervous system (CNS). This review highlights how Dectin-1 interacts with microglial cells, as well as the implications of these interactions in inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric processes. In this regard, the narrative also revisits relevant discussions on the signaling pathways associated with Dectin-1, including the activation of tyrosine-protein kinase (Syk) and the production of inflammatory cytokines. It is noteworthy that altered expression of Dectin-1 has been observed in various conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, thereby contributing to neuroinflammatory processes. However, in contrast to this, in depressive disorders, the receptor has shown the ability to modulate the inflammatory response, triggering antidepressant effects. Therefore, understanding the pluralistic role of Dectin-1 in the CNS may offer new scientific perspectives that will enable the development of more targeted therapies for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases in different pathological contexts.