CD14 a well known cell-activating receptor for lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and peptidoglycan is an important regulator of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-dependent signal transduction and is a part of the multi-protein complex containing at least CD14, MD-2 and TLR4. Encoded by a single-copy gene, CD14 contains 11 LRR (leucine-rich) repeats and exists in two forms a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein (mCD14) and a monocyte or liver-derived soluble serum protein (sCD14) that lacks the anchor. The soluble form of CD14 functions in LPS sensitivity to cells lacking the membrane form and its increased expression is reported to be associated with inflammatory infectious diseases and high mortality in gram-negative shock. CD14 an important component of the innate immune response preferentially expressed on mature cells of the monocytic lineage mediates the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling, thus leading to NF-kappa-B activation, cytokine secretion and inflammatory response. Moreover it is also known to be involved in the clearance of apoptotic cells, up-regulation of cell surface molecules (adhesion molecules) and also in regulating IgE levels.
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