The molecules expressed by human DCs can be divided into

• receptors for antigen uptake, such as TLRs, RcR, CD46, CD150 and C-type lectins, such as DC-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN)
• migration receptors such as CD44, chemokine receptors (CCR) 1,5,6 and 7, and CD88;
• adhesion and co-stimulation molecules such as CD11a, b and c, CD54, CD58, CD80 (B7.1) and CD86 (B7.2)
•  such as IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, TNF and  
• signaling molecules such as CD40, TNF-R and cytokines R (GM-CSF), IL-1, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta
• antigen-processing molecules such as MHC class II and CD1a, b and c
• other molecules such as CD83. 

Receptors for antigen uptake:

C-type Lectins:

C-type lectins bind sugar reisdues in a clacium dependent mannar via a highly conserved carbohydrate recognition domain. C-tpe lein receptors expressed by DCs are implicated in immunoregulatory processes, such as antigen capture. DC trafficking, and DC-T-cell interactions. Based on the location of the amino (N) temrinus, 2 types of membrane bound C type lectins can be distinguished on DCs. Type 1 C type lectins ahve their terminus outside, while type II C type lectins have their N temrinus located inside thecells. Current DC based vaccines are based on ex vivo-generated autologus DCs loaded with antigen prior to readminsitration into pateints. A mroe direct and less laborius strategy is to target antigens to DCs in vivo via specific surface recptors. A humanized antibody directed against the C-type lectin DC specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) has for example been used as a target receptor for vaccination purposes. (Tacken “Effective induction of anive and recall T-cell resposnes by targeting antigen to human dendritic cells via a humanized anti-DC-SIGN antibody” Blood, 15 August 2005, 106(4). 

Inhbitory Receptors on DCs

ILT3: is an inhbitory receptor that can negatively regulated activaiton of APCs and can be used by APCs for antigen uptake.