Human mononuclear phagocyte surface antigens

Human mononuclear phagocyte surface antigens represent a broad category of membrane-bound proteins expressed on cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), including monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2014). These antigens, often identified by Cluster of Differentiation (CD) nomenclature such as CD14 (UniProt P08571), CD16 (UniProt P08637), CD68 (UniProt P34810), and CD163 (UniProt Q86VB7), play critical roles in innate and adaptive immunity, including phagocytosis, sensing of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and antigen presentation. While not a single therapeutic target, individual antigens within this group are major focuses for drug development in oncology, inflammatory disorders, and infectious diseases. Therapeutic strategies include monoclonal antibodies designed to deplete specific cell subsets or modulate their functional state, such as shifting tumor-associated macrophages from a pro-tumor M2 phenotype to an anti-tumor M1 phenotype (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2015). For example, targeting the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R/CD115) can deplete macrophages to enhance anti-tumor immunity, while targeting CD14 or CD40 can modulate inflammatory signaling in autoimmune diseases.

Other names

Monocyte-macrophage surface markersMononuclear phagocyte system antigensMPS antigensMonocyte surface antigensMacrophage surface antigens

Drugs targeting these antigens typically act by inhibiting signaling pathways essential for cell survival and proliferation (e.g., CSF1R inhibitors), blocking immune checkpoints (e.g., CD47/SIRP-alpha axis), or modulating inflammatory signaling (e.g., CD40 agonists or CD14 inhibitors).