Therapeutic opportunities for targeting the ubiquitous cell surface receptor CD47

Introduction: CD47is a ubiquitously expressed cell surface receptorthat serves as a counter-receptor for SIRPα in recognition of self by the innate immune system. Independently, CD47also functions as an important signaling receptor for regulating cell responses to stress. Areas covered: We review the expression, molecular interactions, and pathophysiological functions of CD47in the cardiovascular and immune systems. CD47was first identified as a potential tumor marker, and we examine recent evidence that its dysregulation contributes to cancer progression and evasion of anti-tumor immunity. We further discuss therapeutic strategies for enhancing or inhibiting CD47signaling and applications of such agents in preclinical models of ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion injuries, organ transplantation, pulmonary hypertension, radioprotection, and cancer. Expert opinion: Ongoing studies are revealing a central role of CD47for conveying signals from the extracellular microenvironment that limit cell and tiss...