C O N T E N T SSee AlsoDescriptionCell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) are proteins located on the cell surface involved with the binding with other cells or with the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the process called cell adhesion. These proteins are typically transmembrane receptors and are composed of three domains: an intracellular domain that interacts with the cytoskeleton, a transmembrane domain and an extracellular domain that interacts either with other CAMs of the same kind (homophilic binding) or with other CAMs or the extracellular matrix (heterophilic binding). Families of CAMsMost of the CAMs belong to 4 protein families: Ig (immunoglobulin) superfamily (IgSF CAMs), the integrins, the cadherins and the selectins. IgSF CAMsImmunoglobulin SuperFamily CAMs (IgSF CAMs) are either homophilic or heterophilic and bind integrins or different IgSF CAMs. Here is a list of some molecules of this family:
SelectinsThe selectins are a family of heterophilic CAMs that bind fucosylated carbohydrates, e.g. mucins? . They are dependent on divalent cations. The most important family members are E-selectins (endothelial), L-selectins (leukocyte) and P-selectins (platelet). An example of a member of this family is the P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). IntegrinsThe integrins are a family of heterophilic CAMs that bind IgSF CAMs or the extracellular matrix. They are heterodimers, consisting in two non-covalently linked subunits, called alpha and beta. 24 different alpha subunits are known that can link in many different combinations with the 9 different beta subunits, however not all combinations are observed. CadherinsThe cadherins are a family of homophilic CAMs, Calcium dependant. The most important members of this family are E-cadherins (epithelial), P-cadherins (placental) and N-cadherins (neural). PathologyDiabetesIn diabetes, glycation, tissue oxidation and endothelial function are all abnormal and predisposing to microvascular complications but interrelationships are complex with glycation appearing most direct. Levels of soluble adhesion molecules vWf, E-selectin and VCAM are raised in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In diabetic humans, elevated plasma [von Willebrand Factor (vWF)]? has been interpreted as an indication of endothelial damage. Endothelial activation and acute-phase reaction correlate with insulin resistance and obesity in type 2 diabetic patients obesity may induce endothelial activation or increased shedding of cell surface E-selectin that leads to subsequent increase in soluble E-selectin levels. High serum concentrations of E-selectin closely correlate with increased total fat volume. Pharmacognacy of adhesion antagonismEupatorium purpureum
Feverfew (parthenolide)
Selenium
Astragalus
Carotenoids
Soy
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC's)
Vitamin E
Red Rice YeastStatins reduce E-selectin and ICAM. Red Rice Yeast (dihydromonacolin, monacolin I-VI, monacolin M, Monacolin K [very low]) may be an effective strategy in the management of diabetic complications. AbstractsThe anti-inflammatory action of methotrexate is not mediated by lymphocyte apoptosis, but by the suppression of activation and adhesion moleculesClin Immunol. 2005 Feb ;114:154-63 Andrew Johnston, Johann Eli Gudjonsson, Hekla Sigmundsdottir, Björn Runar Ludviksson, Helgi Valdimarsson Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) is an established and highly effective treatment for severe psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. We investigated the effects of low-dose MTX on antigen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and explored through which cellular pathways these effects are mediated. We show that MTX caused a dose-dependent suppression of T cell activation and adhesion molecule expression, and this was not due to lymphocyte apoptosis. The suppression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 was adenosine and folate-dependent, while MTX suppression of the skin-homing cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) was adenosine-independent. The effect of MTX on CLA, but not ICAM-1, required the constant presence of MTX in cultures. Thus, the suppression of T cell activation and T cell adhesion molecule expression, rather than apoptosis, mediated in part by adenosine or polyglutamated MTX or both, are important mechanisms in the anti-inflammatory action of MTX. C O N T E N T SThe role of adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis.Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 1998 Dec;35(6):573-602. Chia MC.
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