Cell adhesion molecules extracellular presentation

CD44 Known to be z leucocyte adhesion molecule also known as hyaluronic acid cell adhesion molecule (H-CAM), Hermes antigen, extracellular matrix receptor III (ECMIII) present on polymorphonuclear leucocytes CI)45 Known to be z pan leucocyte marker... 

Wolfram T, Spatz JP, Burgess RW (2008) Cell adhesion to agrin presented as a nanopatterned substrate is consistent with an interaction with the extracellular matrix and not transmembrane adhesion molecules. BMC Cell Biol 9 64... 

PTG. finally, the PTG includes several classes of molecules whose therapeutic potential is only now being realized, such as both intracellular and extracellular kinases and phosphatases, as well as cell adhesion molecules. These classes of targets represent over 1000 potential novel points of intervention for chronic disease management The size of each protein family, and their distribution according to target type, is presented in Pig. 4.3. 

With the rapid increase in understanding of the mechanisms of cell injury and repair, a number of new substances have been identified that may prove to be useful markers of acute injury or disease activity. These include various cytokines and growth factors, several lipid mediators, a complex array of extracellular matrix components and cell adhesion molecules, plus a variety of miscellaneous compounds. At the present time, the clinical utility of their measurement in biologic samples is unknown, although in selected instances, clinical correlates have emerged. Unfortunately, not all of these markers are present in urine or blood samples. For some, detection involves histologic or histochemical techniques applied to renal tissue samples. Nonetheless, the substances discussed below are intimately involved in the control and modification of cell function, the response to stress and/or the processes of repair. It is anticipated that with proper amplification, one or more may be useful as a marker of susceptibility, exposure or effect. 

The activities of the purple fluid of the sea hare Aplysia dactylomela, such as toxic, antimicrobial and hemagglutinating properties, have been attributed to a substance of protein nature [332], Proteoglycans and adhesive glycoproteins present in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, have also been reported in sponges. These molecules are probably involved in the cell adhesion systems of sponges [333], Recently, novel marine proteins have been reported, such as silicatein from sponge biosilica [334], and a metallothionein protein from the marine alga Fuats vesiculosus [335], Metallothioneins have also been isolated from Arctic... 

Skin is rich in dendritic cells, which are potent initiators of immune responses and possess the co-stimulatoiy and adhesion molecules required for T cell activation. In addition, dendritic cells possess a unique ability to process and present extracellular antigens in the context of both class I and class II molecules. Thus, transfection of plasmids into these cells is likely to elicit both cellular and humoral responses. Specific targeting of dendritic cells residing in the lymph nodes will likely represent an attractive strategy for providing a robust immune response with nucleic acid vaccines. 

The Pi integrins are also known as the very late antigen (VLA) subfamily because they were first identified on lymphocytes several days after activation.31 At present there are six members, all of which bind to proteins of the extracellular matrix (see Table 6.1). Unlike the other molecules, VLA-4 (CD49d) is found on the majority of unstimulated T lymphocytes, its expression being higher on memory than naive cells.32 It contributes to T-cell adhesion to inflamed endothelium by interacting with VCAM-1 and, as we shall see later, VLA-4 facilitates T-cell infiltration across the BBB in EAE. 

---