Functional expression of the alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor CD91 in salivary gland epithelial cells.

CD91 molecule is a multifunctional receptor of alpha 2-macroglobulin, heat-shock proteins and calreticulin. CD91 has been implicated in cross-presentation of peptides chaperoned by these proteins to MHC molecules, thus eliciting antigen-specific immune responses. Hence, CD91 is considered as a major regulator of innate and acquired immune responses.

Anti-CD40 antibodies in antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Anti-beta2glycoprotein I (anti-beta2GPI) antibodies constitute the main autoantibody specificity in the sera of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). There is evidence that anti-beta2GPI antibodies induce the precoagulant activity of the endothelium by cross-linking the beta2 glycoprotein I (beta2GPI) on the cell surface. Since beta2GPI lacks intracellular domains, homology with other molecules such as CD40 that could initiate signaling, was extensively searched.