VCAM-1

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

vascular cell adhesion molecule 1
Identifiers
Symbol	VCAM1
HUGO	12663
Entrez	7412
OMIM	192225
RefSeq	NM_001078
UniProt	P19320
Other data
Locus	Chr. 1 p32-p31

VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), also known as CD106, is a molecule with a considerable role in the human immune system. It contains six or seven immunoglobulin domains, and is expressed on both large and small vessels only after the endothelial cells are stimulated by cytokines. Upregulation of VCAM-1 in endocthelial cells by cytokines occurs as a result of increased gene transcription (e.g., in response to TNF-alpha and IL-1) and through stabilization of mRNA (e.g., IL-4). The promoter region of the VCAM-1 gene contains functional tandem NF-KB sites.

The sustained expression of VCAM-1 lasts over 24 hours. Primarily, VCAM-1 is an endothelial ligand for VLA-4 (Very Late Antigen-1 or α4β1) of the β1 subfamily of integrins, and for integrin α4β7. VCAM-1 expression has also been observed in other cell types (e.g., smooth muscle cells).

VCAM-1 promotes the adhesion of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Interestingly, certain melanoma cells can use VCAM-1 to adhere to the endothelium, and VCAM-1 may participate in monocyte recruitment to atherosclerotic sites. As a result, VCAM-1 is a potential drug target.