The blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA2) is a type II C-type lectin expressed on human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and is associated with the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. BDCA2 consists of a single extracellular carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) at its C-terminus (belonging to the II class of C-type lectins), a transmembrane region, and a short cytoplasmic tail at its N-terminus (lacking a signaling motif). BDCA2 transmits intracellular signals through the associated transmembrane adaptor FcεRIγ and induces B-cell receptor (BCR)-like signal transduction cascades.The efficacy of using humanized anti-BDCA2 monoclonal antibodies for treating skin lupus erythematosus in patients has not been extensively studied.The BDCA2 Reporter Jurkat Cell Line contains reporter genes stably expressing BDCA2 and other genes. Upon addition of antibody-coated BDCA2, binding between BDCA2 and the antibody recruits spleen tyrosine kinase to the phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif on FcεRIγ, activating downstream signaling pathways, thus activating luciferase expression. Luciferase readings represent the activation effect of the signaling pathway and can therefore be used for in vitro evaluation of BDCA2-related antibody effects.
