β-GlcCer - Mincle Agonist

Synthetic β-glucosylceramide - Mincle agonist

Beta-glucosylceramide (β-GlcCer) is a naturally occurring glycolipid that specifically activates the macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) receptor [1]. Mincle is a member of the Dectin-2 family, that recognizes a variety of exogenous and endogenous stimuli, such as mycobacteria, certain fungi, and necrotic cells.

β-GlcCer is an intracellular metabolite which is recognized as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) and associated with cell death [1, 2].

In healthy individuals, β-GlcCer is located in the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi apparatus. Following cell damage, it is released into the extracellular milieu where it acts as a signal of cell damage. Of note, the accumulation of β-GlcCer within cells is believed to cause systemic inflammation in Gaucher disease [1].

Using InvivoGen's HEK‑Blue™ Mincle reporter cells, β-GlcCer was established as an endogenous Mincle agonist [1]. Upon β-GlcCer recognition, Mincle interacts with the Fc receptor common γ-chain (FcRγ) triggering Syk‑dependent signaling resulting in NF-κB, NFAT, and AP-1 activation. Of note, NF-κB activation by synthetic β-GlcCer was found to be comparable to that induced by the mycobacteria-derived TDM, an extensively studied exogenous Mincle agonist [1].

Due to its pro-inflammatory activity, β-GlcCer has been identified as a potential adjuvant for vaccination against infectious diseases and cancer [1].

Key highlights of β-GlcCer:

• Endogenous and specific Mincle agonist
• Activates NF-κB, NFAT, and AP-1
• Each lot of β-GlcCer is highly pure (≥ 95%) and functionally tested

InvivoGen's β-GlcCer is a synthetic glycosylceramide bearing an unsaturated long-chain (C24:1). It is of the highest quality, guaranteed free of bacterial contamination, and has been functionally validated using cellular assays.

Learn more about C-Type Lectin Receptors

References:

1. Nagata M. et al. 2017. Intracellular metabolite β-glucosylceramide is an endogenous Mincle ligand possessing immunostimulatory activity. PNAS. 114(16): E3285-E3294.
2. Ishikawa A. et al. 2019. Essential roles of C-type lectin Mincle in induction of neuropathic pain in mice. Sci Rep. 9(1):872.