CD5L and infection: Better known for their infection-related immune functions, the circulating proteins CD5 antigen-like (CD5L), also known as apoptosis inhibitor expressed by macrophages (AIM) or secreted protein α (Spα) (12, 13), soluble scavenger protein with 5 SRCR domains (SSC5D) (14), and deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 (DMBT1) (15), containing respectively three, five, and 14 SRCR domains, display characteristic PRR features including a strong avidity to bind Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (16–18).