Faculty Articles

Publication Title

Journal of Immunology

Publisher

American Association of Immunologists

ISSN

0022-1767

Publication Date

5-15-2017

Keywords

Animals, Endocytosis, Humans, Ligands, Mice, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.), Phagocytosis, Receptors, Immunologic, Receptors, Scavenger, Scavenger Receptors, Class A, Signal Transduction, Terminology as Topic, United States

Abstract

Scavenger receptors constitute a large family of proteins that are structurally diverse and participate in a wide range of biological functions. These receptors are expressed predominantly by myeloid cells and recognize a diverse variety of ligands including endogenous and modified host-derived molecules and microbial pathogens. There are currently eight classes of scavenger receptors, many of which have multiple names, leading to inconsistencies and confusion in the literature. To address this problem, a workshop was organized by the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, to help develop a clear definition of scavenger receptors and a standardized nomenclature based on that definition. Fifteen experts in the scavenger receptor field attended the workshop and, after extensive discussion, reached a consensus regarding the definition of scavenger receptors and a proposed scavenger receptor nomenclature. Scavenger receptors were defined as cell surface receptors that typically bind multiple ligands and promote the removal of nonself or altered-self targets. They often function by mechanisms that include endocytosis, phagocytosis, adhesion, and signaling that ultimately lead to the elimination of degraded or harmful substances. Based on this definition, nomenclature and classification of these receptors into 10 classes were proposed. This classification was discussed at three national meetings and input from participants at these meetings was requested. The following manuscript is a consensus statement that combines the recommendations of the initial workshop and incorporates the input received from the participants at the three national meetings.

DOI

10.4049/jimmunol.1700373

Volume

198

Issue

10

First Page

3775

Last Page

3789

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Rights

Copyright © 2017 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

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