Erythroid membrane-associated protein (ERMAP), also called Scianna blood group antigen, is a member of the butrophilin (BTN) and butrophilin-like (BTNL) family within the immunoglobulin superfamily. ERMAP is an adhesion receptor molecule highly expressed in erythroid tissues, on the cell surface of resting and activated antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and in some tumor tissues. Fusion proteins (ERMAP-Ig) of both human and mouse ERMAP inhibit T cell functions in vitro and administration of the fusion protein ameliorates autoimmune diseases, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and type 1 diabetes, in mice. ERMAP acts as a novel inhibitory molecule for T cells and macrophages.
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