Human CD14 mediates recognition and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells

During programmed cell death, cells are rapidly cleared by phagacytes without causing inflammation. A new study shows that the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked plasma-membrane glycoprotein CD14, found on the surface of human macrophages, is important for recognising and clearing apoptotic cells. The study also shows that CD14 is multifunctional and can act as a receptor for binding lipopolysaccharide and causing inflammation responses.