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©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2009; 15(23): 2855-2861
Published online Jun 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.2855
Published online Jun 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.2855
CD74 in antigen presentation, inflammation, and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract
Ellen J Beswick, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
Victor E Reyes, Department of Pediatrics and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
Author contributions: Beswick EJ and Reyes VE wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ellen J Beswick, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Room 2.300, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd. Galveston, TX 77555. United States. ejbeswic@utmb.edu
Telephone: +1-409-7720423
Fax: +1-409-7721761
Received: February 28, 2009
Revised: April 24, 2009
Accepted: May 3, 2009
Published online: June 21, 2009
Revised: April 24, 2009
Accepted: May 3, 2009
Published online: June 21, 2009
Abstract
CD74 is a protein whose initial role in antigen presentation was recognized two decades ago. Recent studies have revealed that it has additional functions as a receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor and as a receptor for an important human pathogen, Helicobacter pylori (H pylori). The role of CD74 as a receptor is important because after binding of migration inhibitory factor or H pylori, NF-κB and Erk1/2 activation occurs, along with the induction of proinflammatory cytokine secretion. This review provides an up-to-date account of the functions of CD74 and how it might be involved in inflammation and cancer within the gastrointestinal tract.
Keywords: CD74, Invariant chain, Cancer, Inflammation, Helicobacter pylori, Gastrointestinal tract