Human monocyte receptors involved in tumor necrosis factor responses to group B streptococcal products

Several group B streptococcal products have been previously found to stimul ate human monocytes to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha. In order to ide ntify the receptors involved in these responses, monocytes were stimulated with purified group- or type-specific carbohydrates or lipoteichoic acid in the presence of anti-receptor monoclonal antibodies, soluble CD14, or lipo polysaccharide-binding protein. Results indicate that CD14 plays an importa nt role in tumor necrosis factor alpha responses to all of the stimuli test ed. Moreover, both CD14 and complement receptor type 3 may be involved in r esponses to the group-antigen.