C-Type Lectin Domain Family 4, Member F (CLEC4F)

CLEC4F, a member of C-type lectins, was firstly purified fromrat liver extract with high binding affinity to fucose, galactoseand N-acetylgalactosamine, and un-sialylated glucosphingolipidswith GalNAc or Gal terminus. However, the biological functionsof CLEC4F have not been elucidated. The anti-mCLEC4F mAbs bind to 293T cells transfected withmCLEC4F cDNA as determined by flow cytometry, and the bindingspecificity of anti-mCLEC4F mAbs is further confirmed in mCLEC4F-deficientmice. Histochemical staining showed that mCLEC4F is only expressedon F4/80+ cells localized in liver, and is undetectable in bonemarrow, spleen, lymph nodes, or other tissues in adult mice.mCLEC4Fis not only a specific marker for Kupffer cells, but is alsocritical for the presentation of glycolipid antigen to NKT cells.