CD14 is a glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in the immune system. It is primarily expressed on the surface of monocytes and macrophages. The recombinant form of human CD14, produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, is widely used in research and therapeutic applications due to its ability to mimic the natural protein’s functions.
CD14 is a 55 kDa cell surface glycoprotein. The human CD14 cDNA encodes a 375 amino acid precursor protein with a 19 amino acid signal peptide and a C-terminal hydrophobic region characteristic of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins . The recombinant human CD14 protein produced in CHO cells is typically fused with a polyhistidine tag at the C-terminus to facilitate purification .
CD14 acts as a co-receptor for the detection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. It enhances the LPS-stimulated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 by immune cells . This function is critical for the activation of the innate immune response during bacterial infections.
The recombinant human CD14 protein is produced by transfecting CHO cells with the complete human CD14 cDNA. The protein is then purified using techniques such as SDS-PAGE and HPLC to ensure high purity and low endotoxin levels . The lyophilized protein is typically stored at -20°C to -80°C to maintain stability and activity .
Recombinant human CD14 is used in various research applications, including: