Transmembrane 7 Superfamily, Member 4 (TM7SF4)

Dendritic cells are unique in their ability to present antigen to naive T cells, and therefore play a central role in the initiation of immune responses. TM7SF4 encoded by this gene is a transmembrane molecule that is preferentially expressed by dendritic cells. Its expression is down-regulated by ligation of the CD40 molecule. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been described, but the full-length nature of some of these variants has not been determined. Highly expressed in lymph nodes, lung, kidney and liver. Expressed at lower levels in pancreas, bone marrow, spleen and leukocytes. Preferentially expressed by dendritic cells. Detected in both immature and mature dendritic cells. Expressed at lower levels in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and B-cells.