Mouse Lymphocyte Antigen 75 (LY75) Protein

Background

LY75, also known as lymphocyte antigen 75, is a protein primarily involved in the immune system, specifically in antigen processing and presentation. LY75 is also referred to as DEC-205 (dendritic and epithelial cell 205) and is encoded by the LY75 gene in humans. LY75 belongs to the C-type lectin receptor family, which includes proteins involved in recognizing carbohydrate structures on pathogens, facilitating immune cell recognition, and initiating immune responses. It is a type I transmembrane protein highly expressed in dendritic cells (DCs), especially in lymphoid tissues, and also found on certain types of epithelial cells. Through its antigen-capturing ability, LY75 has a significant role in promoting immune tolerance and in the activation of T cells. LY75 functions as a receptor that binds to specific antigens, internalizes them, and processes them for presentation on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, primarily MHC class II. This makes it a critical component in activating adaptive immune responses, especially against infections, tumors, and other immune challenges. The ability of LY75 to capture and process antigens, combined with its expression pattern, positions it as an important target for immunotherapy, especially in contexts where modulation of the immune response, such as cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development, is desired.