The DcR3 protein is a soluble member of the TNF receptor superfamily containing four TNF receptor domains with an approximate molecular weight of 35 kD. DcR3, also known as Decoy receptor 3, TR6, M68, can be secreted by monocytes and myeloid-derived dendritic cells following exposure to bacterial antigens. DcR3 is overexpressed in tumors including lung and colon cancers, gliomas, and pancreatic cancers and can be detected in the serum of cancer patients. DcR3 can also be found in the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum in some cell types. This protein competes for ligand binding with cell surface receptor and can inhibit their signaling. DcR3 has been shown to bind the ligands FasL, LIGHT, and TNF like molecule 1 (TL1A) to inhibit binding to the cell surface receptors Fas, HVEM and LT-ßR, and death receptor 3 (DR3), respectively.