A subset of human pancreatic beta cells express functional CD14 receptors: a signaling pathway for beta cell‐related glycolipids, sulfatide and β‐galactosylceramide

Abstract

A subset of human beta-cells expresses functional CD14 receptor and thus is able to recognize both exogenous bacterial (LPS) as well as endogenous ligands (e.g. glycolipids of beta-cell origin). The CD14 expression on a subset of human beta-cells may play a role in the innate surveillance of the endocrine environment but may also contribute to innate immune mechanisms in the early stages of beta-cell aggression.