Dectin-1, also known as beta-glucan receptor (ßGR), is a C-type lectin domain family member. It is a major pathogen pattern-recognition receptor that binds beta-glucans, glucose polymers that form cell-wall components or exopolymers of yeasts, fungi and some bacteria. Beta-glucans have also been used experimentally and therapeutically as immunomodulators that enhance resistance to bacterial, yeast, viral and protozoan infections, as well as tumor formation. Dectin-1 also acts as a co-stimulatory molecule on T-cells to induce their proliferation and is necessary for the TLR2-mediated inflammatory response. It is highly expressed on peripheral blood leukocytes and dendritic cells. Human Dectin-1 has two major (betaGR-A and betaGR-B) and several minor isoforms. BetaGR-A and betaGR-B differs by the presence and absence, respectively, of a stalk region.