Mapping nano-landscape of pathogen recognition receptor DC-SIGN and lipid rafts on dendritic cells

The dendritic cell (DC) specific pathogen-recognition receptor DCSIGN binds and internalizes antigens for degradation. The organization of DC-SIGN in microdomains is crucial for the binding and the internalization of virus particles, suggesting that these multimolecular assemblies act as docking site for pathogens like HIV-1 to invade the host. We have recently shown that DC-SIGN potentially associates with lipid rafts [1] and clathrin coated pits [2]. Nevertheless, the nano-scale organization of DC-SIGN with respect to these lipid domains remains largely unresolved. To map the nanolandscape distribution of DC-SIGN on DC cell membranes we are exploiting state-of-the-art microscopic imaging techniques. Single fluorescent molecule detection together with multicolor labeling offers the possibility to elucidate organization and co-localization at