SCAVENGER RECEPTORS IN INNATE IMMUNITY

Scavenger receptors are cell-surface proteins expressed by mammalian m onocytes and macrophages and by invertebrate hemocytes, among other ce ll types. They exhibit distinctive ligand-binding properties, recogniz ing a wide range of ligands that include microbial surface constituent s and intact microbes. The ligand-binding properties and expression pa tterns of these receptors suggest that they may function in one or mor e host-defense-related processes. Significant advances in scavenger re ceptor biology have recently been reported, including the identificati on of several new scavenger receptor genes.