CD14, a Receptor for Complexes of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS Binding Protein

TLDR

Leukocytes produce cytokines such as TNF‑α in response to nanogram‑per‑milliliter levels of LPS, and excess TNF‑α can trigger fatal endotoxic shock; LPS rapidly binds serum LBP, and cellular responses to physiological LPS depend on this LBP complex. LPS induces responses by first binding soluble LBP, which then interacts with the cell‑surface protein CD14. CD14 binds LPS–LBP complexes, and blocking CD14 with monoclonal antibodies prevents TNF‑α synthesis in whole blood exposed to LPS.

Abstract

Leukocytes respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at nanogram per milliliter concentrations with secretion of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Excess secretion of TNF-α causes endotoxic shock, an often fatal complication of infection. LPS in the bloodstream rapidly binds to the serum protein, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and cellular responses to physiological levels of LPS are dependent on LBP. CD14, a differentiation antigen of monocytes, was found to bind complexes of LPS and LBP, and blockade of CD14 with monoclonal antibodies prevented synthesis of TNF-α by whole blood incubated with LPS. Thus, LPS may induce responses by interacting with a soluble binding protein in serum that then binds the cell surface protein CD14.