Epithelia are positioned at a critical interface to prevent invasion by microorganisms from the environment. Pattern recognition receptors are important components of innate immunity because of their ability to interact with specific microbe-associated structures and initiate immune responses. Several distinct groups of receptors have been recognized. One of these, the scavenger receptors, has been classified into at least eight separate classes. The class A scavenger receptors are characterized by the presence of a collagen-like domain and include macrophage scavenger receptor type A (SR-A1 I/II, SCARA1) and MARCO (SCARA2). These receptors are known to make important contributions to host defense. Here, we identify a novel murine scavenger receptor, SCARA5, which has a structure typical of this class. The cDNA encodes 491 amino acids, which predict a type II protein that contains C-terminal intracellular, transmembrane, extracellular spacer, collagenous, and N-terminal scavenger receptor cysteine rich domains. Expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells confirmed that the receptor assembles as a homotrimer and is expressed at the plasma membrane. SCARA5-transfected cells bound Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but not zymosan, in a polyanionic-inhibitable manner. Unlike other class A scavenger receptors, the receptor was unable to endocytose acetylated or oxidized low density lipoprotein. Quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization demonstrate SCARA5 has a tissue and cellular distribution unique among class A scavenger receptors. Because of the restriction of SCARA5 transcripts to populations of epithelial cells, we propose that this receptor may play important roles in the innate immune activities of these cells.Mucosal surfaces are the predominant route of microbial entry into the host. Epithelial cells that line mucosa not only form a mechanical barrier that pathogens must overcome to invade the underlying tissues but also make specific contributions to the initiation of mucosal inflammation and associated immune responses (1). Although the immunological activities of epithelia have been under-investigated with comparison to those of hematopoietic cells, an increasing number of studies has given weight to the proposal that they are an active component of the innate immune system. The evidence is that epithelia such as those of the airway and urinary and intestinal tracts can sense microbes and signal their presence to cells of the underlying mucosa to activate appropriate anti-microbial and immunological responses (2). Recent demonstrations have shown that epithelial cells can themselves produce cytokines, chemokines, and other effector molecules following contact with bacteria and thus both influence and augment the immune response (3-5).Cells of the innate immune system have evolved a number of germ line-encoded receptors, termed pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), 4 which they employ to discriminate microbial cells from those of the host (6). PRRs are evolutionary ancient and have been highly ...