Immune activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: implications in neuroinflammation.

Despite structural similarity with other tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) members, the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75, TNFR16) mediates pleiotropic biological functions not shared with other TNFRs. The high level of p75 expression in the nervous system instead of immune cells, its utilization of co-receptors, and its interaction with soluble dimeric, rather than soluble or cell-tethered trimeric ligands are all characteristics which distinguish it from most other TNFRs. Here, we compare these attributes to other members of the TNFR superfamily.