The mannose receptor on sinusoidal lining cells mediates two-step bacterial clearance in the human spleen

N Neama Alnabati F Francesco Flandi T Tareq Al Saoudi G Giulia Cattabriga T Talia Richardson A Alessia Gennai D Daniele Ghezzi R Ryan G. Hames J John Isherwood T Trisha Kanani Z Zydrune Jasiunaite S Shiying Tang G Giuliana Germinario G Giorgia Radi F Francesca Rizzo K Katrin Schilcher C Christopher D. Bayliss R Romina Camilli M Marco Caprini C Carola Parolin S Stefano Fedi W Wen Y. Chung G Giuseppe Garcea E Enrico Giampieri G Gastone Castellani K Kornelis Straatman S Stefano Bruno C Claudia Trappetti M Matteo Ravaioli A Ashley R. Dennison L Luisa Martinez-Pomares M Marco R. Oggioni

Abstract

Abstract The human spleen plays a critical role in clearing bacteria from the bloodstream, particularly during septicaemia; yet the cellular mechanisms underlying this function remain poorly defined. Using a dual translational approach including ex vivo perfusion of human spleens and splenic primary cell cultures, we identify a previously unrecognised division of tasks in splenic antibacterial defence. In the human splenic red pulp, sinusoidal lining cells capture and retain bacteria via the CD206 mannose receptor. Subsequently, the bactericidal activity by red pulp macrophages involves the scavenger receptor MARCO. This two-step process ensures efficient removal of encapsulated pathogens as inhibition of CD206 receptor impacted not only Streptococcus pneumoniae killing, independent of the capsular serotype, but also on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli revising the mechanism of pathogen clearance in the human spleen. Trial registration: REC 18/EM/0057 (NCT04620824) and CE: 668/2023/Sper/AOU.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 17, Issue 1
Published April 29, 2026
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (32)

N

Neama Alnabati

F

Francesco Flandi

T

Tareq Al Saoudi

G

Giulia Cattabriga

T

Talia Richardson

A

Alessia Gennai

D

Daniele Ghezzi

R

Ryan G. Hames

J

John Isherwood

T

Trisha Kanani

Z

Zydrune Jasiunaite

S

Shiying Tang

G

Giuliana Germinario

G

Giorgia Radi

F

Francesca Rizzo

K

Katrin Schilcher

C

Christopher D. Bayliss

R

Romina Camilli

M

Marco Caprini

C

Carola Parolin

S

Stefano Fedi

W

Wen Y. Chung

G

Giuseppe Garcea

E

Enrico Giampieri

G

Gastone Castellani

K

Kornelis Straatman

S

Stefano Bruno

C

Claudia Trappetti

M

Matteo Ravaioli

A

Ashley R. Dennison

L

Luisa Martinez-Pomares

M

Marco R. Oggioni