Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Clinical Medicine, Clinical Immunology Unit, Umberto I Policlinico di Roma, 155 Viale del Policlinico, Rome, IT 00161.
Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2011 Mar;15(3):237-51. doi: 10.1517/14728222.2011.550879. Epub 2011 Jan 6.
CD74, also known as the invariant chain, participates in several key processes of the immune system, including antigen presentation, B-cell differentiation and inflammatory signaling. Despite being described more than 3 decades ago, new functions and novel interactions for this evolutionarily conserved molecule are still being unraveled. As a participant in several immunological processes and an indicator of disease in some conditions, it has potential as a therapeutic target.
The relationship between the structure of CD74 variants and their physiological functions is detailed in this review. The function of CD74 in several cell lineages is examined with a focus on the interactions with cathepsins and, in an inflammatory milieu, the pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migratory inhibitory factor. The role of CD74 signaling in inflammatory and carcinogenic processes is outlined as is the use of CD74 as a therapeutic target (in cancer) and tool (as a vaccine).
CD74 has several roles within the cell and throughout the immune system. Most prominent amongst these are the complex relationships with MIF and cathepsins. Modulation of CD74 function shows promise for the effective amelioration of disease.
CD74，也被称为不变链，参与了免疫系统的几个关键过程，包括抗原呈递、B 细胞分化和炎症信号转导。尽管它已经被描述了 30 多年，但这个进化上保守的分子仍在不断发现新的功能和新的相互作用。作为几个免疫过程的参与者和一些情况下疾病的标志物，它具有作为治疗靶点的潜力。
本文详细介绍了 CD74 变体的结构与其生理功能之间的关系。本文研究了 CD74 在几种细胞谱系中的功能，重点是与组织蛋白酶的相互作用，以及在炎症环境中与促炎细胞因子巨噬细胞移动抑制因子的相互作用。概述了 CD74 信号在炎症和致癌过程中的作用，以及 CD74 作为治疗靶点（在癌症中）和工具（作为疫苗）的用途。
CD74 在细胞内和整个免疫系统中都有几个作用。其中最突出的是与 MIF 和组织蛋白酶的复杂关系。调节 CD74 功能有望有效改善疾病。
