Dectin-2–Mediated Signaling Leads to Delayed Skin Wound Healing through Enhanced Neutrophilic Inflammatory Response and Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation

Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-2 (i.e., dectin-2) recognizes fungal polysaccharides, including α-mannan. Dectin-2–mediated recognition of fungi, such as Candida albicans, leads to NF-κB activation, which induces production of inflammatory cytokines. However, the role of dectin-2 in skin wound healing remains unclear. In this study, we sought to determine how dectin-2 deficiency and the administration of α-mannan affected the wound healing process. Full-thickness wounds were created on the backs of wild type C57BL/6 and dectin-2–deficient mice. We analyzed wound closure, histological findings, and re-epithelialization. We also examined the neutrophilic inflammatory responses and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET)-osis at the wound sites after administration of α-mannan. The percent wound closure and re-epithelialization was significantly accelerated in dectin-2–knockout mice compared with wild-type mice on days 3 and 5 after wounding. In contrast, administration of α-mannan delayed wound closure in wild-type mice, and these responses were canceled in dectin-2–knockout mice. Furthermore, mice administered α-mannan, neutrophil infiltration was prolonged, and the expression of citrullinated histone, an indicator of NETosis, at the wound sites was accelerated. Administration of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor significantly improved the delayed wound healing caused by α-mannan. These results suggest that dectin-2 may have a deep impact on the skin wound healing process through regulation of neutrophilic responses.