TY - JOUR
T1 - Emerging roles and new functions of CD46
AU - Liszewski, M. Kathryn
AU - Kemper, Claudia
AU - Price, Jeffrey D.
AU - Atkinson, John P.
PY - 2005/11
Y1 - 2005/11
N2 - In the past 20 years, our understanding of the workings of complement regulatory protein, CD46 (membrane cofactor protein), has grown as has the impressive list of pathogens interacting with this membrane-bound complement inhibitor. Referred to as a "pathogen magnet," CD46 serves as a receptor for seven human pathogens. Initially discovered as a widely expressed C3b- and C4b-binding protein, it was subsequently shown to be a cofactor for the serine protease factor I to inactivate by limited proteolysis these two opsonins and components of the convertases. The involvement of CD46 in reproductive processes continues to be an emerging story. It is a protector of placental tissue, but it may also play a more direct role in reproduction through its expression on the inner acrosomal membrane of spermatozoa. Cross-linking CD46 with antibodies or natural or pathogenic ligands induces rapid turnover and signaling events. In this regard, much attention is currently focused on generating human T lymphocyte regulatory cells by cross-linking CD46. Finally, highlighting its importance in protecting cells against excessive complement activation is the discovery that even a heterozygous deficiency of CD46 predisposes to hemolytic uremic syndrome.
AB - In the past 20 years, our understanding of the workings of complement regulatory protein, CD46 (membrane cofactor protein), has grown as has the impressive list of pathogens interacting with this membrane-bound complement inhibitor. Referred to as a "pathogen magnet," CD46 serves as a receptor for seven human pathogens. Initially discovered as a widely expressed C3b- and C4b-binding protein, it was subsequently shown to be a cofactor for the serine protease factor I to inactivate by limited proteolysis these two opsonins and components of the convertases. The involvement of CD46 in reproductive processes continues to be an emerging story. It is a protector of placental tissue, but it may also play a more direct role in reproduction through its expression on the inner acrosomal membrane of spermatozoa. Cross-linking CD46 with antibodies or natural or pathogenic ligands induces rapid turnover and signaling events. In this regard, much attention is currently focused on generating human T lymphocyte regulatory cells by cross-linking CD46. Finally, highlighting its importance in protecting cells against excessive complement activation is the discovery that even a heterozygous deficiency of CD46 predisposes to hemolytic uremic syndrome.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=27844526064&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00281-005-0002-3
DO - 10.1007/s00281-005-0002-3
M3 - Review article
C2 - 16200405
AN - SCOPUS:27844526064
SN - 0344-4325
VL - 27
SP - 345
EP - 358
JO - Springer Seminars in Immunopathology
JF - Springer Seminars in Immunopathology
IS - 3
ER -