Surface-associated GroEL facilitates the adhesion of Escherichia coli to macrophages through lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1

The Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 clusters: C-type lectin receptors with fundamental roles in immunity

The ability of myeloid cells to recognize and differentiate endogenous or exogenous ligands rely on the presence of different transmembrane protein receptors. C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), defined by the presence of a conserved structural motif called C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD), are a crucial family of receptors involved in this process, being able to recognize a diverse range of ligands from glycans to proteins or lipids and capable of initiating an immune response. The Dectin-1 and Dectin-2 clusters involve two groups of CLRs, with genes genomically linked within the natural killer cluster of genes in both humans and mice, and all characterized by the presence of a single extracellular CTLD. Fundamental immune cell functions such as antimicrobial effector mechanisms as well as internalization and presentation of antigens are induced and/or regulated through activatory, or inhibitory signalling pathways triggered by these receptors after ligand binding. In this review, we will discuss the most recent concepts regarding expression, ligands, signaling pathways and functions of each member of the Dectin clusters of CLRs, highlighting the importance and diversity of their functions.

The proteome of bacterial membrane vesicles in Escherichia coli-a time course comparison study in two different media

Introduction

Bacteria inhabit the in- and outside of the human body, such as skin, gut or the oral cavity where they play an innoxious, beneficial or even pathogenic role. It is well known that bacteria can secrete membrane vesicles (MVs) like eukaryotic cells with extracellular vesicles (EVs). Several studies indicate that bacterial membrane vesicles (bMVs) play a crucial role in microbiome-host interactions. However, the composition of such bMVs and their functionality under different culture conditions are still largely unknown.

Methods

To gain a better insight into bMVs, we investigated the composition and functionality of E. coli (DSM 105380) bMVs from the culture media Lysogeny broth (LB) and RPMI 1640 throughout the different phases of growth (lag-, log- and stationary-phase). bMVs from three time points (8 h, 54 h, and 168 h) and two media (LB and RPMI 1640) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and analyzed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and mass spectrometry-based proteomics (LC-MS/MS). Furthermore, we examined pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8 in the human monocyte cell line THP-1 upon bMV treatment.

Results

Particle numbers increased with inoculation periods. The bMV morphologies in Cryo-EM/TEM were similar at each time point and condition. Using proteomics, we identified 140 proteins, such as the common bMV markers OmpA and GroEL, present in bMVs isolated from both media and at all time points. Additionally, we were able to detect growth-condition-specific proteins. Treatment of THP-1 cells with bMVs of all six groups lead to significantly high IL-1β and IL-8 expressions.

Conclusion

Our study showed that the choice of medium and the duration of culturing significantly influence both E. coli bMV numbers and protein composition. Our TEM/Cryo-EM results demonstrated the presence of intact E. coli bMVs. Common E. coli proteins, including OmpA, GroEL, and ribosome proteins, can consistently be identified across all six tested growth conditions. Furthermore, our functional assays imply that bMVs isolated from the six groups retain their function and result in comparable cytokine induction.

LOX-1 acts as an N6-methyladenosine-regulated receptor for Helicobacter pylori by binding to the bacterial catalase

The role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of host mRNA during bacterial infection is unclear. Here, we show that Helicobacter pylori infection upregulates host m6A methylases and increases m6A levels in gastric epithelial cells. Reducing m6A methylase activity via hemizygotic deletion of methylase-encoding gene Mettl3 in mice, or via small interfering RNAs targeting m6A methylases, enhances H. pylori colonization. We identify LOX-1 mRNA as a key m6A-regulated target during H. pylori infection. m6A modification destabilizes LOX-1 mRNA and reduces LOX-1 protein levels. LOX-1 acts as a membrane receptor for H. pylori catalase and contributes to bacterial adhesion. Pharmacological inhibition of LOX-1, or genetic ablation of Lox-1, reduces H. pylori colonization. Moreover, deletion of the bacterial catalase gene decreases adhesion of H. pylori to human gastric sections. Our results indicate that m6A modification of host LOX-1 mRNA contributes to protection against H. pylori infection by downregulating LOX-1 and thus reducing H. pylori adhesion.

In vitro and ex vivo proteomics of Mycobacterium marinum biofilms and the development of biofilm-binding synthetic nanobodies

The antibiotic-tolerant biofilms present in tuberculous granulomas add an additional layer of complexity when treating mycobacterial infections, including tuberculosis (TB). For a more efficient treatment of TB, the biofilm forms of mycobacteria warrant specific attention. Here, we used Mycobacterium marinum (Mmr) as a biofilm-forming model to identify the abundant proteins covering the biofilm surface. We used biotinylation/streptavidin-based proteomics on the proteins exposed at the Mmr biofilm matrices in vitro to identify 448 proteins and ex vivo proteomics to detect 91 Mmr proteins from the mycobacterial granulomas isolated from adult zebrafish. In vitro and ex vivo proteomics data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD033425 and PXD039416, respectively. Data comparisons pinpointed the molecular chaperone GroEL2 as the most abundant Mmr protein within the in vitro and ex vivo proteomes, while its paralog, GroEL1, with a known role in biofilm formation, was detected with slightly lower intensity values. To validate the surface exposure of these targets, we created in-house synthetic nanobodies (sybodies) against the two chaperones and identified sybodies that bind the mycobacterial biofilms in vitro and those present in ex vivo granulomas. Taken together, the present study reports a proof-of-concept showing that surface proteomics in vitro and ex vivo proteomics combined are a valuable strategy to identify surface-exposed proteins on the mycobacterial biofilm. Biofilm-surface-binding nanobodies could be eventually used as homing agents to deliver biofilm-targeting treatments to the sites of persistent biofilm infection.

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factor genes in an Arctic permafrost region revealed by metagenomics

Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) constitute a serious threat to public health, and climate change has been predicted to affect the increase in bacterial pathogens harboring ARGs and VFGs. However, studies on bacterial pathogens and their ARGs and VFGs in permafrost region have received limited attention. In this study, a metagenomic approach was applied to a comprehensive survey to detect potential ARGs, VFGs, and pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria (PARB) carrying both ARGs and VFGs in the active layer and permafrost. Overall, 70 unique ARGs against 18 antimicrobial drug classes and 599 VFGs classified as 38 virulence factors were detected in the Arctic permafrost region. Eight genes with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) carrying ARGs were identified; most MGEs were classified as phages. In the metagenome-assembled genomes, the presence of 15 PARB was confirmed. The soil profile showed that the transcripts per million (TPM) values of ARGs and VFGs in the sub-soil horizon were significantly lower than those in the top soil horizon. Based on the TPM value of each gene, major ARGs, VFGs, and these genes in PARB from the Arctic permafrost region were identified and their distribution was confirmed. The major host bacteria for ARGs and VFGs and PARB were identified. A comparison of the percentage identity distribution of ARGs and VFGs to reference databases indicated that ARGs and VFGs in the Arctic soils differ from previously identified genes. Our results may help understand the characteristics and distribution of ARGs, VFGs, and these genes in PARB in the Arctic permafrost region. This findings suggest that the Arctic permafrost region may serve as potential reservoirs for ARGs, VFGs, and PARB. These genes could pose a new threat to human health if they are released by permafrost thawing owing to global warming and propagate to other regions.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics exacerbates inflammation through OMV-induced pyroptosis in MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae infection

The inappropriate use of antibiotics is a severe public health problem worldwide, contributing to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. To explore the possible impacts of the inappropriate use of antibiotics on the immune system, we use Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) infection as an example and show that imipenem increases the mortality of mice infected by MDR K. pneumoniae. Further studies demonstrate that imipenem enhances the secretion of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) with significantly elevated presentation of GroEL, which promotes the phagocytosis of OMVs by macrophages that depends on the interaction between GroEL and its receptor, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1). OMVs cause the pyroptosis of macrophages and the release of proinflammatory cytokines, which contribute to exacerbated inflammatory responses. We propose that the inappropriate use of antibiotics in the cases of infection by MDR bacteria such as K. pneumoniae might cause damaging inflammatory responses, which underlines the pernicious effects of inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Sensing Tissue Damage by Myeloid C-Type Lectin Receptors

After both sterile and infectious insults, damage is inflicted on tissues leading to accidental or programmed cell death. In addition, events of programmed cell death also take place under homeostatic conditions, such as in embryo development or in the turnover of hematopoietic cells. Mammalian tissues are seeded with myeloid immune cells, which harbor a plethora of receptors that allow the detection of cell death, modulating immune responses. The myeloid C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are one of the most prominent families of receptors involved in tailoring immunity after sensing dead cells. In this chapter, we will cover a diversity of signals arising from different forms of cell death and how they are recognized by myeloid CLRs. We will also explore how myeloid cells develop their sentinel function, exploring how some of these CLRs identify cell death and the type of responses triggered thereof. In particular, we will focus on DNGR-1 (CLEC9A), Mincle (CLEC4E), CLL-1 (CLEC12A), LOX-1 (OLR1), CD301 (CLEC10A) and DEC-205 (LY75) as paradigmatic death-sensing CLRs expressed by myeloid cells. The molecular processes triggered after cell death recognition by myeloid CLRs contribute to the regulation of immune responses in pathologies associated with tissue damage, such as infection, autoimmunity and cancer. A better understanding of these processes may help to improve the current approaches for therapeutic intervention.

Interaction mechanism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis GroEL2 protein with macrophage Lectin-like, oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1: An integrated computational and experimental study

BACKGROUND

Bacterial surface proteins act as potential adhesins or invasins. The GroEL is a signal peptide-free surface expressed protein that aids adhesion in Escherichia coli by binding to LOX-1 receptor of the host cells. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) expresses GroEL2 protein, having high level sequence identity with E. coli GroEL. This study investigates the interaction mechanism of GroEL2 protein of Mtb with LOX-1 of macrophages using integrated computational and experimental approach.

METHODS

Mtb GroEL2 protein was purified as histidine tagged protein using Ni-NTA chromatography. Confocal and scanning electron microscopies were used to study the uptake of GroEL2 coated fluorescent latex beads through the LOX-1 receptor in RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. Docking studies were performed to understand the interaction between the GroEL2 and LOX-1 proteins. Polyinosinic acid (PIA) was used as a LOX-1 inhibitor in both in silico and in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

GroEL2 protein coating enhances uptake of latex beads into macrophages through LOX-1 receptor. LOX-1 inhibitor PIA decreased the uptake of GroEL2 coated latex beads. GroEL2 interacts with the key ligand binding regions of the LOX-1 receptor, such as the basic spine and the saddle hydrophobic patch. PIA molecule destabilized the LOX-1-GroEL2 docked complex.

CONCLUSION

Surface associated GroEL2 protein of Mtb is a potential ligand for macrophage LOX-1 receptor. Interaction between GroEL2 and LOX-1 receptor may be utilized by Mtb to gain its intracellular access.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Surface associated GroEL2 of Mtb may bind to the macrophage LOX-1 receptor, enabling the internalization of the bacteria and progression of the infection.

Comparison of protective efficacy between two DNA vaccines encoding DnaK and GroEL against fish nocardiosis

Fish nocardiosis is a chronic granulomatous bacterial disease mainly caused by three pathogenic bacteria, including Nocardia seriolae, N. asteroids and N. salmonicida. Molecular chaperone DnaK and GroEL were identified to be the common antigens of the three pathogenic Nocardia species in our previous studies. To evaluate the immune protective effect of two DNA vaccines encoding DnaK or GroEL against fish nocardiosis, hybrid snakehead were vaccinated and the immune responses induced by these two vaccines were comparatively analyzed. The results suggested it needed at least 7 d to transport DnaK or GroEL gene from injected muscle to head kidney, spleen and liver and stimulate host's immune system for later protection after immunization by DNA vaccines. Additionally, non-specific immunity parameters (serum lysozyme (LYZ), peroxidase (POD), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities), specific antibody (IgM) production and immune-related genes (MHCIα, MHCIIα, CD4, CD8α, IL-1β and TNFα) were used to evaluate the immune responses induced in vaccinated hybrid snakehead. It proved that all the above-mentioned immune activities were significantly enhanced after immunization with these two DNA vaccines. The protective efficacy of pcDNA-DnaK and pcDNA-GroEL DNA vaccines, in terms of relative percentage survival (RPS), were 53.01% and 80.71% respectively. It demonstrated that these two DNA vaccines could increase the survival rate of hybrid snakehead against fish nocardiosis, albeit with variations in immunoprotective effects. Taken together, these results indicated that both pcDNA-DnaK and pcDNA-GroEL DNA vaccines could boost the innate, humoral and cellular immune response in hybrid snakehead and show highly protective efficacy against fish nocardiosis, suggesting that DnaK and GroEL were promising vaccine candidates. These findings will promote the development of DNA vaccines against fish nocardiosis in aquaculture.

Scavenger Receptors: Promiscuous Players during Microbial Pathogenesis

Innate immunity is the most broadly effective host defense, being essential to clear the majority of microbial infections. Scavenger Receptors comprise a family of sensors expressed in a multitude of host cells, whose dual role during microbial pathogenesis gained importance over recent years. SRs regulate the recruitment of immune cells and control both host inflammatory response and bacterial load. In turn, pathogens have evolved different strategies to overcome immune response, avoid recognition by SRs and exploit them to favor infection. Here, we discuss the most relevant findings regarding the interplay between SRs and pathogens, discussing how these multifunctional proteins recognize a panoply of ligands and act as bacterial phagocytic receptors.

Phasevarion-Regulated Virulence in the Emerging Pediatric Pathogen Kingella kingae

Kingella kingae is a common etiological agent of pediatric osteoarticular infections. While current research has expanded our understanding of K. kingae pathogenesis, there is a paucity of knowledge about host-pathogen interactions and virulence gene regulation. Many host-adapted bacterial pathogens contain phase variable DNA methyltransferases (mod genes), which can control expression of a regulon of genes (phasevarion) through differential methylation of the genome. Here, we identify a phase variable type III mod gene in K. kingae, suggesting that phasevarions operate in this pathogen. Phylogenetic studies revealed that there are two active modK alleles in K. kingae Proteomic analysis of secreted and surface-associated proteins, quantitative PCR, and a heat shock assay comparing the wild-type modK1 ON (i.e., in frame for expression) strain to a modK1 OFF (i.e., out of frame) strain revealed three virulence-associated genes under ModK1 control. These include the K. kingae toxin rtxA and the heat shock genes groEL and dnaK Cytokine expression analysis showed that the interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor responses of THP-1 macrophages were lower in the modK1 ON strain than in the modK1::kan mutant. This suggests that the ModK1 phasevarion influences the host inflammatory response and provides the first evidence of this phase variable epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation in K. kingae.

Flagellin and GroEL mediates in vitro binding of an atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to cellular fibronectin

Background

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is distinguished mainly by the presence of EPEC adherence factor plasmid (pEAF) in typical EPEC (tEPEC) and its absence in atypical EPEC (aEPEC). The initial adherence to the intestinal mucosa is complex and mediated by adhesins other than bundle-forming pilus, which is not produced by aEPEC. Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins of eukaryotic cells are commonly recognized by bacterial adhesins. Therefore, binding to ECM proteins may facilitate colonization, invasion and/or signaling by intestinal pathogens. Previous studies from our group demonstrated that aEPEC O26:H11 (strain BA2103) showed high binding activity to fibronectin, not shared by its counterpart, aEPEC O26:HNM.

Results

In the present study, using mass spectrometry after fibronectin-associated immunoprecipitation, two proteins, flagellin (50 kDa) and GroEL (52 kDa), were identified and BA2103 binding ability to fibronectin was inhibited in the presence of anti-H11 and anti-GroEL sera, but not by either naïve rabbit or other unrelated sera. It was also observed that the presence of purified flagellin inhibits adhesion of BA2103 to cellular fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, BA2103 GroEL is similar to the same protein of uropathogenic E. coli.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that flagellin may play a role in the in vitro interaction of BA2103 with cellular fibronectin, and GroEL can be an accessory protein in this process.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-015-0612-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Identification and Characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Proteins Involved in Infection of the Tick Vector, Ixodes scapularis

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging zoonotic pathogen transmitted by Ixodes scapularis that causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Here, a high throughput quantitative proteomics approach was used to characterize A. phagocytophilum proteome during rickettsial multiplication and identify proteins involved in infection of the tick vector, I. scapularis. The first step in this research was focused on tick cells infected with A. phagocytophilum and sampled at two time points containing 10–15% and 65–71% infected cells, respectively to identify key bacterial proteins over-represented in high percentage infected cells. The second step was focused on adult female tick guts and salivary glands infected with A. phagocytophilum to compare in vitro results with those occurring during bacterial infection in vivo. The results showed differences in the proteome of A. phagocytophilum in infected ticks with higher impact on protein synthesis and processing than on bacterial replication in tick salivary glands. These results correlated well with the developmental cycle of A. phagocytophilum, in which cells convert from an intracellular reticulated, replicative form to the nondividing infectious dense-core form. The analysis of A. phagocytophilum differentially represented proteins identified stress response (GroEL, HSP70) and surface (MSP4) proteins that were over-represented in high percentage infected tick cells and salivary glands when compared to low percentage infected cells and guts, respectively. The results demonstrated that MSP4, GroEL and HSP70 interact and bind to tick cells, thus playing a role in rickettsia-tick interactions. The most important finding of these studies is the increase in the level of certain bacterial stress response and surface proteins in A. phagocytophilum-infected tick cells and salivary glands with functional implication in tick-pathogen interactions. These results gave a new dimension to the role of these stress response and surface proteins during A. phagocytophilum infection in ticks. Characterization of Anaplasma proteome contributes information on host-pathogen interactions and provides targets for development of novel control strategies for pathogen infection and transmission.

Comparative proteomic analysis of Cronobacter sakazakii isolates with different virulences

Cronobacter is a genus of widespread, opportunistic, foodborne pathogens that can result in serious illnesses in at-risk infants because of their immature immunity and high dependence on powdered formula, which is one of the foods most often contaminated by this pathogen. However, limited information is available regarding the pathogenesis and the specific virulence factors of this species. In this study, the virulences of 42 Cronobacter sakazakii isolates were analyzed by infecting neonatal SD rats. A comparison of the typing patterns of the isolates enabled groups with close relationships but that exhibited distinct pathogenesis to be identified. Among these groups, 2 strains belonging to the same group but showing distinct virulences were selected, and 2-DE was applied to identify differentially expressed proteins, focusing on virulence-related proteins. A total of 111 protein spots were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS), and 89 were successfully identified. Further analysis suggested that at least 11 of these proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of this pathogen. Real-time PCR was carried out to further confirm the differential expression pattern of the genes, and the results indicated that the mRNA expression levels were consistent with the protein expression levels.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The virulence factors and pathogenesis of Cronobacter are largely unknown. In combination with animal toxicological experiments and subtyping results of C. sakazakii, comparative proteomics analysis was performed to comprehensively evaluate the differentially expressed proteins of two isolates that exhibited distinct virulence but were closely related. These procedures made it possible to identify the virulence-related of factors of Cronobacter. Among the 89 total identified proteins, at least 11 show virulence-related potential. This work provides comprehensive candidates for the further investigation of the pathogenesis of Cronobacter.

Klebsiella pneumoniae O antigen loss alters the outer membrane protein composition and the selective packaging of proteins into secreted outer membrane vesicles

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a nosocomial pathogen which naturally secretes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cell envelope associated proteins into the environment through the production of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The loss of the LPS O antigen has been demonstrated in other bacterial species to significantly alter the composition of OMVs. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively analyze the impact of O antigen loss on the sub-proteomes of both the outer membrane and secreted OMVs from K. pneumoniae. As determined by LC-MS/MS, OMVs were highly enriched with outer membrane proteins involved in cell wall, membrane, and envelope biogenesis as compared to the source cellular outer membrane. Deletion of wbbO, the enzyme responsible for O antigen attachment to LPS, decreased but did not eliminate this enrichment effect. Additionally, loss of O antigen resulted in OMVs with increased numbers of proteins involved in post-translational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones as compared to secreted vesicles from the wild type. This alteration of OMV composition may be a compensatory mechanism to deal with envelope stress. This comprehensive analysis confirms the highly distinct protein composition of OMVs as compared to their source membrane, and provides evidence for a selective sorting mechanism that involves LPS polysaccharides. These data support the hypothesis that modifications to LPS alters both the mechanics of protein sorting and the contents of secreted OMVs and significantly impacts the protein composition of the outer membrane.

Gut commensal microvesicles reproduce parent bacterial signals to host immune and enteric nervous systems

Ingestion of a commensal bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1, has potent immunoregulatory effects, and changes nerve-dependent colon migrating motor complexes (MMCs), enteric nerve function, and behavior. How these alterations occur is unknown. JB-1 microvesicles (MVs) are enriched for heat shock protein components such as chaperonin 60 heat-shock protein isolated from Escherichia coli (GroEL) and reproduce regulatory and neuronal effects in vitro and in vivo. Ingested labeled MVs were detected in murine Peyer's patch (PP) dendritic cells (DCs) within 18 h. After 3 d, PP and mesenteric lymph node DCs assumed a regulatory phenotype and increased functional regulatory CD4(+)25(+)Foxp3+ T cells. JB-1, MVs, and GroEL similarly induced phenotypic change in cocultured DCs via multiple pathways including C-type lectin receptors specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing non-integrin-related 1 and Dectin-1, as well as TLR-2 and -9. JB-1 and MVs also decreased the amplitude of neuronally dependent MMCs in an ex vivo model of peristalsis. Gut epithelial, but not direct neuronal application of, MVs, replicated functional effects of JB-1 on in situ patch-clamped enteric neurons. GroEL and anti-TLR-2 were without effect in this system, suggesting the importance of epithelium neuron signaling and discrimination between pathways for bacteria-neuron and -immune communication. Together these results offer a mechanistic explanation of how Gram-positive commensals and probiotics may influence the host's immune and nervous systems.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis adhesins: potential biomarkers as anti-tuberculosis therapeutic and diagnostic targets

Adhesion to host cells is a precursor to host colonization and evasion of the host immune response. Conversely, it triggers the induction of the immune response, a process vital to the host’s defence against infection. Adhesins are microbial cell surface molecules or structures that mediate the attachment of the microbe to host cells and thus the host–pathogen interaction. They also play a crucial role in bacterial aggregation and biofilm formation. In this review, we discuss the role of adhesins in the pathogenesis of the aetiological agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We also provide insight into the structure and characteristics of some of the characterized and putative M. tuberculosis adhesins. Finally, we examine the potential of adhesins as targets for the development of tuberculosis control strategies.

C-type lectin-like receptors of the dectin-1 cluster: ligands and signaling pathways

Innate immunity is constructed around genetically encoded receptors that survey the intracellular and extracellular environments for signs of invading microorganisms. These receptors recognise the invader and through complex intracellular networks of molecular signaling, they destroy the threat whilst instructing effective adaptive immune responses. Many of these receptors, like the Toll-like receptors in particular, are well-known for their ability to mediate downstream responses upon recognition of exogenous or endogenous ligands; however, the emerging family known as the C-type lectin-like receptors contains many members that have a huge impact on immune and homeostatic regulation. Of particular interest here are the C-type lectin-like receptors that make up the Dectin-1 cluster and their intracellular signaling motifs that mediate their functions. In this review, we aim to draw together current knowledge of ligands, motifs and signaling pathways, present downstream of Dectin-1 cluster receptors, and discuss how these dictate their role within biological systems.