Multifaceted Roles of CD5L in Infectious and Sterile Inflammation

CD5L, a protein expressed and secreted mainly by macrophages, is emerging as a critical immune effector. In addition to its well-defined function as an anti-apoptotic protein, research over the last decade has uncovered additional roles that range from pattern recognition to autophagy, cell polarization, and the regulation of lipid metabolism. By modulating all these processes, CD5L plays a key role in highly prevalent diseases that develop by either acute or chronic inflammation, including several infectious, metabolic, and autoimmune conditions. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of CD5L and focus on the relevance of this protein during infection- and sterile-driven inflammatory pathogenesis, highlighting its divergent roles in the modulation of inflammation.

Automated summary

CD5L, primarily expressed and secreted by macrophages, plays a critical role in immune effector functions. In addition to its anti-apoptotic function, it is involved in pattern recognition, autophagy, cell polarization, and the regulation of lipid metabolism, influencing prevalent diseases caused by acute or chronic inflammation. This review summarizes the diverse roles of CD5L in the modulation of inflammation during infection- and sterile-driven inflammatory pathogenesis.