CD14 is a glycoprotein primarily expressed on the surface of monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils, functioning as a co-receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) recognition in innate immunity. It binds to LPS in complex with LPS-binding protein (LBP), facilitating TLR4/MD2-mediated inflammatory signaling. CD14 exists in two forms: membrane-bound (mCD14) and soluble (sCD14), the latter released via enzymatic cleavage or alternative splicing. As a key pattern recognition receptor, CD14 plays a critical role in detecting pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and initiating immune responses.
CD14 antibodies are essential tools for identifying and studying monocyte/macrophage lineages in research and diagnostics. Commonly used clones like MEM-15. 61D3. and Tuk4 enable applications such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. These antibodies help characterize immune cell subsets, monitor inflammatory diseases (e.g., sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis), and investigate CD14's dual roles in pro-inflammatory signaling and apoptotic cell clearance. Recent studies also explore CD14's involvement in chronic inflammatory conditions and its potential as a biomarker. Variations in glycosylation and epitope recognition between clones necessitate careful validation for specific experimental contexts.