C-type lectin receptors in the control of T helper cell differentiation

Pathogen recognition by C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) expressed by dendritic cells is important not only for antigen presentation, but also for the induction of appropriate adaptive immune responses via T helper (TH) cell differentiation. CLRs act either by themselves or in cooperation with other receptors, such as other CLRs, Toll-like receptors and interferon receptors, to induce signalling pathways that trigger specialized cytokine programmes for polarization of TH cell differentiation. In this Review, we discuss how triggering of the prototypical CLRs leads to distinct pathogen-tailored TH cell responses and how we can harness our expanding knowledge for vaccine design and the treatment of inflammatory and malignant diseases.