Clec4a3, also known as Dendritic cell inhibitory receptor 3 (DCIR3), is a C-type lectin receptor belonging to the mouse dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) family. C-type lectin receptors are important for initiating and shaping immune responses. Clec4a3 is involved in the regulation of lymphocyte trafficking, motor neuron survival, and may play a role in innate immunity and antigen-presenting processes [3,5,6].

In a study on pulmonary arterial hypertension, Clec4a3 was identified as one of the hub genes associated with the dysregulated B-cell receptor signaling pathway and humoral immune response [2]. In rat models of ventral root avulsion, genetic variability in the Aplec cluster containing Clec4a3 regulated motor neuron survival and T-cell infiltration into the spinal cord [3]. In microglial transcriptome studies of neonatal and adult mice after spinal cord injury, Clec4a3 was selected as one of the hub genes for further validation, suggesting its potential role in injury-related processes [4]. In a study on a novel exosome-like nanosystem for liver cancer, Clec4a3 expression was downregulated in M2 macrophages after treatment, which may be related to the regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment [1].

In conclusion, Clec4a3 plays important roles in immune-related processes, including lymphocyte trafficking, humoral immunity, and microglial-related responses in injury, as well as in the regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. Studies on Clec4a3 using animal models have provided insights into its functions in various disease-related conditions such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, spinal cord injury, and liver cancer.