Targeting DC-SIGN via its neck region leads to prolonged antigen residence in early endosomes, delayed lysosomal degradation, and cross-presentation.

Targeting antigens to dendritic cell (DC)-specific receptors, such as DC-SIGN, induces potent T cell-mediated immune responses. DC-SIGN is a transmembrane C-type lectin receptor with a long extracellular neck region and a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Thus far, only antibodies binding the CRD have been used to target antigens to DC-SIGN. We evaluated the endocytic pathway triggered by antineck antibodies as well as their intracellular routing and ability to induce CD8(+) T-cell activation. In contrast to anti-CRD antibodies, antineck antibodies induced a clathrin-independent mode of DC-SIGN internalization, as demonstrated by the lack of colocalization with clathrin and the observation that silencing clathrin did not affect antibody internalization in human DCs. Interestingly, we observed that anti-neck and anti-CRD antibodies were differentially routed within DCs. Whereas anti-CRD antibodies were mainly routed to late endosomal compartments, anti-neck antibodies remained associated with early endosomal compartments positive for EEA-1 and MHC class I for up to 2 hours after internalization. Finally, cross-presentation of protein antigen conjugated to antineck antibodies was approximately 1000-fold more effective than nonconjugated antigen. Our studies demonstrate that anti-neck antibodies trigger a distinct mode of DC-SIGN internalization that shows potential for targeted vaccination strategies.