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World J Immunol. Nov 27, 2013; 3(3): 44-53
Published online Nov 27, 2013. doi: 10.5411/wji.v3.i3.44
Decoy receptor 3: Its role as biomarker for chronic inflammatory diseases
Spyros I Siakavellas, Giorgos Bamias
Spyros I Siakavellas, Giorgos Bamias, Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Ethnikon and Kapodistriakon University, Laikon Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
Author contributions: Siakavellas SI and Bamias G designed the review and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Giorgos Bamias, MD, Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Ethnikon and Kapodistriakon University, Laikon Hospital, 17 Agiou Thoma Str., 11527 Athens, Greece. gbamias@gmail.com
Telephone: +30-210-7456504 Fax: +30-210-7791839
Received: July 2, 2013
Revised: August 9, 2013
Accepted: September 13, 2013
Published online: November 27, 2013
Processing time: 150 Days and 4.1 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Members of the tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and TNF-α receptor superfamilies play important roles in the function of the immune system. Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is a decoy receptor that exists only as soluble protein and has the ability to bind to FasL, LIGHT and TL1A. Recent studies showed that DcR3 is upregulated and may be pathogenetically implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and infection. DcR3 may become a useful biomarker for chronic inflammatory disorders, as it is upregulated in response to inflammatory stimuli, and may serve both as a prognostic factor for disease severity and as an indicator of response to treatment.