dendritic cells that express the type ii c - type lectin dc - sign are located in the submucosa of tissues , where they mediate hiv - 1 entry . interestingly , the pathogen candidaalbicans , the major cause of hospital - acquired fungal infections , is found at similar sites . here it is demonstrated that dc - sign is able to bind candida albicans both in dc - sign transfected cell lines and in human monocyte derived dc . moreover , in immature dc , dc - sign is able to internalize candida in specific dc - sign enriched vesicles , distinct from those containing the mannose receptor , which is another candida receptor on dc . together , these results demonstrate that c . albicans has two major receptors on human monocyte derived dc , these receptors being dc - sign and mr . targeting of dc - sign offers novel opportunities to combat chronic forms of candidiasis .