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Exploitation of the Macrophage Mannose Receptor (CD206) in Infectious Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Abul K Azad1, Murugesan V S Rajaram1, Larry S Schlesinger1
1Center for Microbial Interface Biology and the Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, USA.
Insights
The macrophage mannose receptor (MR, CD206) targets pathogens and is highly expressed in disease sites. Optimizing MR-mediated uptake by macrophages offers a promising strategy for diagnosing and treating chronic infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pathogen Recognition
Background:
- The macrophage mannose receptor (MR, CD206) is a C-type lectin found on macrophages, dendritic cells, and other cells.
- MR plays a key role in immune homeostasis through endocytosis and phagocytosis of mannoglycoproteins.
- MR is highly expressed at disease sites, including the tumor microenvironment, and recognizes microbial mannan structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in optimizing MR-mediated uptake by macrophages.
- To highlight the potential of MR targeting for diagnosis and treatment of chronic infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on macrophage mannose receptor function and targeting strategies.
- Analysis of MR's role in pathogen recognition and disease pathology.
Main Results:
- MR recognizes microbial mannan structures, which is exploited by pathogens like *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*.
- High MR expression in pathological conditions like the tumor microenvironment is noted.
- Targeting MR for enhanced macrophage uptake is an emerging strategy for drug delivery.
Conclusions:
- MR-mediated uptake presents an attractive approach for targeting macrophages in infected tissues.
- Further development in MR-targeting strategies is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment of chronic infectious diseases.
Abstract:
The macrophage mannose receptor (MR, CD206) is a C-type lectin expressed predominantly by most tissue macrophages, dendritic cells and specific lymphatic or endothelial cells. It functions in endocytosis and phagocytosis, and plays an important role in immune homeostasis by scavenging unwanted mannoglycoproteins. More attention is being paid to its particularly high expression in tissue pathology sites during disease such the tumor microenvironment. The MR recognizes a variety of microorganisms by their mannan-coated cell wall, which is exploited by adapted intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, for their own survival. Despite the continued development of drug delivery technologies, the targeting of agents to immune cells, especially macrophages, for effective diagnosis and treatment of chronic infectious diseases has not been addressed adequately. In this regard, strategies that optimize MR-mediated uptake by macrophages in target tissues during infection are becoming an attractive approach. We review important progress in this area.
