Is there a role for CEA in innate immunity in the colon?
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a well known tumor marker associated with the progression of colorectal tumors. The CEA family of glycoproteins has been fully characterized and the function of some of its members is now beginning to be understood. Here, we advance the hypothesis that, rather than functioning in cell adhesion as has been suggested previously, CEA plays a role in protecting the colonic mucosa from microbial invasion. This hypothesis is based on new microscopic, molecular, phylogenetic and microbiological evidence.
Hammarström
S
S
Dept of Immunology, Umeå University, SE-90185 Umeå, Sweden. Sten.Hammarstrom@climi.umu.se
Baranov
V
V
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen