Knowledge mapping of DNGR-1 on dendritic cells in immunotherapy: a review and bibliometric study

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Abstract
Introduction: DNGR-1 (CLEC9A), a C-type lectin receptor specifically expressed on human BDCA3+ and murine CD8α+/CD103+ conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1), acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) receptor that recognizes necrotic cell-derived F-actin and promotes antigen cross-presentation. Despite the growing focus on DNGR-1 in immunotherapy research, no comprehensive, global bibliometric analysis spanning the full research history of DNGR-1 has been reported to date to delineate its global research trends, hotspots, and evolutionary trajectories. Methods: We retrieved 326 relevant DNGR-1 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) and Scopus databases, covering the period from January 2008 to January 2026. Bibliometric visualization and analysis were performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix, with associated clinical trial data retrieved from PubMed to contextualize translational progress. Results: Annual publication output in this field has shown a steady upward trend, with the USA, the UK, and China ranking as the top three contributing countries. Monash University was the most productive institution (32 papers), Lahoud MH was the most prolific author (33 papers), and Sancho D was the most frequently co-cited researcher (228 citations). Frontiers in Immunology was the most prolific journal in this field. Thematic evolution in the field has shifted from an early focus on "C-type Lectins" and "myeloid cells" to recent research centered on "Adaptive Immunity", "Spatial Transcriptomics", and "Systems Biology", reflecting a clear evolution from foundational molecular mechanism research to cross-scale translational immunotherapy development. Conclusion: This study presents the first systematic bibliometric analysis of global DNGR-1 research, mapping the knowledge structure, research hotspots, and evolutionary trends of the field over the 18-year study window. Our integrated analysis of publication trends, clinical trial data, and research frontiers highlights the critical role of DNGR-1 in tumor immunotherapy and cDC1 functional regulation, providing theoretical and empirical insights for developing novel immunotherapies targeting the DNGR-1-cDC1 axis.

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