SIGN-R1, a C-type lectin, binds to Bip/GRP78 and this interaction mediates the regurgitation of T-cell-independent type 2 antigen dextran through the endoplasmic reticulum.

Capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae are representative T-cell-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigens, frequently causing serious infections in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. However, the detailed mechanism of this immune escape by CPSs is poorly understood. To pursue this question, polysaccharide dextran, ligand of SIGN-R1 as well as an appropriate model of the immunogenicity of many TI-2 polysaccharide antigens was used. SIGN-R1 bound to binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), a well-characterized endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, primarily in non-ER compartments. Interestingly, SIGN-R1+ macrophages in the MZ showed high expression of BiP, implying an important role of SIGN-R1 binding to BiP in vivo. To our surprise, dextran is rapidly transported into the ER and subsequently regurgitated out of cells in vitro or in vivo. BiP down-regulation in SIGN-R1 transfectant reduced the regurgitation of dextran, causing the accumulation of dextran in the ER.