The lectin Siglec-G inhibits dendritic cell cross-presentation by impairing MHC class I–peptide complex formation

CD8α + DCs are specialized at cross-presentation, but the mechanisms that bestow this ability have not been fully characterized. Cao and colleagues show that the lectin Siglec-G negatively regulates cross-presentation and that its expression is lower in CD8α + DCs. CD8α + dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized at cross-presenting extracellular antigens on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules to initiate cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses; however, details of the mechanisms that regulate cross-presentation remain unknown. We found lower expression of the lectin family member Siglec-G in CD8α + DCs, and Siglec-G deficient ( Siglecg −/− ) mice generated more antigen-specific CTLs to inhibit intracellular bacterial infection and tumor growth. MHC class I–peptide complexes were more abundant on Siglecg −/− CD8α + DCs than on Siglecg +/+ CD8α + DCs. Mechanistically, phagosome-expressed Siglec-G recruited the phosphatase SHP-1, which dephosphorylated the NADPH oxidase component p47 phox and inhibited the activation of NOX2 on phagosomes. This resulted in excessive hydrolysis of exogenous antigens, which led to diminished formation of MHC class I–peptide complexes for cross-presentation. Therefore, Siglec-G inhibited DC cross-presentation by impairing such complex formation, and our results add insight into the regulation of cross-presentation in adaptive immunity.