Why is the antigen uptake receptor DEC205 of interest?

INTRODUCTION: The antigen uptake receptor DEC205 has been extensively studied in dendritic cells (DCs). By mediating antigen delivery to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II processing compartments, DEC205 facilitates efficient antigen presentation, a property that has been widely exploited for targeted antigen delivery to DCs. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes studies investigating various molecular strategies employing anti-DEC205 conjugates, as well as conjugates targeting other DC-specific receptors, to induce either immune activation or immune tolerance in animal models and clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION: Clinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of in vivo DC-targeted antibody conjugates. In this context, anti-DEC205 conjugates have served as a paradigm for DC-specific antigen targeting. Beyond DEC205, recent research has identified additional DC-specific receptors that may broaden the scope of targeted immunotherapies. Furthermore, antibody-based approaches that do not rely on antibody conjugates have attracted increasing attention. We anticipate that future research will focus on (i) optimizing antigen - antibody conjugation strategies, (ii) combining DEC205-mediated antigen targeting with immune checkpoint blockade, and (iii) evaluating the efficacy of co-stimulatory adjuvants in vaccination protocols.