CD14 signalling in lipid rafts: new ligands and co-receptors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lipid rafts on monocytes/macrophages provide a dynamic microenvironment for an integrated lipopolysaccharide receptor (CD14)-dependent clustering of a set of receptors involved in innate immunity and clearance of atherogenic lipoproteins. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in our understanding of CD14-dependent receptor clustering and its relevance in atherogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS: Upon binding of various ligands, CD14 as a multiligand pattern recognition receptor induces specific coassembly of additional receptors present on circulating monocytes. SUMMARY: The composition of the receptor cluster and thus the associated signalling pathways defines a ligand specific cellular response, linking endogenous and exogenous host defense to a common recognition platform in rafts.