Endothelial functions of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31)

Purpose of review: The purpose of this article is to describe the function of the vascular cell adhesion and signaling molecule, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), in endothelial cells, with special emphasis on its role in maintaining and restoring the vascular permeability barrier following disruption of the endothelial cell junction. Recent findings: In addition to its role as an inhibitory receptor in circulating platelets and leukocytes, PECAM-1 is highly expressed at endothelial cell–cell junctions, where it functions as an adhesive stress-response protein to both maintain endothelial cell junctional integrity and speed restoration of the vascular permeability barrier following inflammatory or thrombotic challenge. Summary: Owing to the unique ability of antibodies that bind the membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain to trigger conformational changes leading to affinity modulation and homophilic adhesion strengthening, PECAM-1 might be an attractive target for treating vascular permeability disorders.
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by Edward F. Plow Source Type: research
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