VCAM-1 explained

Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 also known as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) or cluster of differentiation 106 (CD106) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VCAM1 gene.[1] VCAM-1 functions as a cell adhesion molecule.

Structure

VCAM-1 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, the superfamily of proteins including antibodies and T-cell receptors. The VCAM-1 gene contains six or seven immunoglobulin domains, and is expressed on both large and small blood vessels only after the endothelial cells are stimulated by cytokines. It is alternatively spliced into two known RNA transcripts that encode different isoforms in humans.[2] The gene product is a cell surface sialoglycoprotein, a type I membrane protein that is a member of the Ig superfamily.

Function

The VCAM-1 protein mediates the adhesion of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils to vascular endothelium. It also functions in leukocyte-endothelial cell signal transduction, and it may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Upregulation of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells by cytokines occurs as a result of increased gene transcription (e.g., in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1)) and through stabilization of messenger RNA (mRNA) (e.g., Interleukin-4 (IL-4)). The promoter region of the VCAM1 gene contains functional tandem NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) sites. The sustained expression of VCAM-1 lasts over 24 hours.

Primarily, the VCAM-1 protein is an endothelial ligand for VLA-4 (Very Late Antigen-4 or integrin α4β1) of the β1 subfamily of integrins. VCAM-1 expression has also been observed in other cell types (e.g., smooth muscle cells). It has also been shown to interact with EZR[3] and Moesin.[3]

VCAM-1 is also upregulated if vWF (Von Willebrand Factor) is given in knock-out (KO) ADMATS13 mice but not on mice without KO.[4]

CD106 also exists on the surface of some subpopulations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).[5]

Pharmacology

Certain melanoma cells can use VCAM-1 to adhere to the endothelium,[6] VCAM-1 may participate in monocyte recruitment to atherosclerotic sites, and it is highly overexpressed in the inflamed brain.[7] As a result, VCAM-1 is a potential drug target.

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Cybulsky M, Fries JW, Williams AJ, Sultan P, Eddy RL, Byers MG, Shows TB, ((Gimbrone MA Jr)), Collins T . The human VCAM1 gene is assigned to chromosome 1p31-p32 . Cytogenet. Cell Genet. . 1991 . 58 . 3–4 . 1850–1867 . 10.1159/000133735.
  2. Web site: Entrez Gene: VCAM1 vascular cell adhesion molecule 1.
  3. Barreiro O, Yanez-Mo M, Serrador JM, Montoya MC, Vicente-Manzanares M, Tejedor R, Furthmayr H, Sanchez-Madrid F . Dynamic interaction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 with moesin and ezrin in a novel endothelial docking structure for adherent leukocytes . J. Cell Biol. . 157 . 7 . 1233–45 . Jun 2002 . 12082081 . 2173557 . 10.1083/jcb.200112126 .
  4. Le Besnerais M, Favre J, Denis CV, Mulder P, Martinet J, Nicol L, Levesque H, Veyradier A, Kopić A, Motto DG, Coppo P, Richard V, Benhamou Y. 6. J Thromb Haemost. 2016. 14. 10. 1917–1930. 10.1111/jth.13439. 27501520. free. Assessment of endothelial damage and cardiac injury in a mouse model mimicking thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
  5. CD106 identifies a subpopulation of mesenchymal stem cells with unique immunomodulatory properties. Yang ZX, Han ZB, Ji YR, Wang YW, Liang L, Chi Y, Yang SG, Li LN, Luo WF, Li JP, Chen DD, Du WJ, Cao XC, Zhuo GS, Wang T, Han ZC. 6. . 2013 . 8 . 3 . e59354. 10.1371/journal.pone.0059354. 23555021. 3595282. 2013PLoSO...859354Y. free.
  6. Eibl RH, Benoit M. 2004 . Molecular resolution of cell adhesion forces . IEE Proceedings - Nanobiotechnology. 151 . 3 . 128–32 . 10.1049/ip-nbt:20040707 . 16475855.
  7. Marcos-Contreras . Oscar A . Selective targeting of nanomedicine to inflamed cerebral vasculature to enhance the blood–brain barrier . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America . 2020 . 117 . 7 . 3405–3414 . 10.1073/pnas.1912012117 . 32005712 . 7035611 . free .