Evaluation of CD14 in host defence.

An extensive search for the cell membrane targets for lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major causative agent of Gram-negative septic shock, resulted in the identification of CD14 as the major endotoxin 'receptor'. Besides recognition of LPS, several new aspects of its biological functions have been described recently. In this review the different CD14 forms, their most important biological and biochemical features, signalling properties, cellular and subcellular distribution and association with different diseases are discussed in detail, showing that these molecules posses several unique biological functions and further proving their central role in innate immunity.