Dexamethasone induced inhibition of Dectin-1 activation of antigen presenting cells is mediated via STAT-3 and NF-κB signaling pathways

Treatment of patients with glucocorticoids can result in an increased risk of infection with pathogens such as fungi. Dectin-1 is a member of the C-type lectin receptor superfamily and was shown to be one of the major receptors for fungal beta-glucans. Activation of Dectin-1 increases the production of cytokines and chemokines and T-cell stimulatory capacity of DC and mediates resolution of fungal infections. Here we show that antigen-presenting cells generated in the presence of dexamethasone (Dex-DC) have a reduced capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and decreased expression of costimulatory molecules, that can not be enhanced upon stimulation with Dectin-1 ligands. Stimulation of Dex-DC with beta-glucans induced a strong upregulation of Syk phosphorylation and increased secretion of IL-10, while the production of IL-12, IL-23 and TNF-alpha was reduced. Downstream of Syk stimulation of Dectin-1 on Dex-DC resulted in phosphorylation of STAT3 and reduced nuclear localization of transcription factors involved in DC activation and function.