CD1e

null CD1e is the most recently evolved member of the human CD1 lipid-antigen family and differs fundamentally from its cell-surface relatives. Synthesized as a membrane-bound β2-microglobulin-associated molecule, it is retained in endosomal compartments, where proteolytic cleavage releases a soluble form rather than delivering the protein to the plasma membrane. Soluble CD1e acts as a lipid-transfer and lipid-editing cofactor that hands glycolipid substrates to CD1b and CD1c for subsequent T-cell recognition. This helper function enables presentation of mycobacterial phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides and positions CD1e as a unique intracellular stage of lipid antigen processing.