VCAM1

Human Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 is a 100 - 110 kDa, 715 amino acid type I transmembrane glycoprotein typically characterized by the presence of seven C2-type immunoglobulin domains. Its extracellular region is 674 aa in length, followed by a 22 aa transmembrane segment and a 19 aa cytoplasmic tail. In the extracellular region, there are multiple N-linked glycosylation sites, and each C2 domain is closed by a disulfide bridge. There is considerable interspecies VCAM-1 homology, with mouse and rat VCAM-1 showing approximately 75% aa identity to human VCAM-1. Notably, the short 19 aa cytoplasmic tail is absolutely conserved, mouse to human to rat. Cells expressing mouse VCAM-1 bind both mouse and human leukocytes, and this reflects their high degree of aa identity. A number of variants of VCAM-1 are known to occur, all of which are likely the result of alternate gene splicing. In particular, a human six Ig domain molecule is known, and in rabbits, an eight Ig domain form has been identified. There is also a three-C2 domain, 43 kDa GPI-linked form of VCAM-1. Although it binds known VCAM-1 ligands, its function is unclear. Cells known to express VCAM-1 include neurons, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts and macrophages.<br/>Soluble VCAM-1 has been identified in culture supernates, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. In vitro, basal levels of VCAM-1 shedding by unstimulated NIH3T3 cells appear to partially require metalloproteinase activity, while PMA-induced shedding is dependent upon the proteolytic activity of TACE/ADAM17.<br/>Functionally, VCAM-1 binds to both 4 1 and 4 7 integrins. These integrins are expressed on a variety of cells, with VLA-4 found on all leukocytes with the exception of neutrophils. Because of this, VCAM-1/VCAM-1 ligand interactions are undoubtedly key events in the rate and timing of leukocyte extravasation. Other roles proposed for VCAM-1 include the regulation of osteoclastogenesis via a cell-to-cell contact mechanism and the induction of sickle cell adherence to vascular endothelial cells during hypoxemia.<br/>The Human sVCAM-1 Immunoassay is a 2 hour solid-phase ELISA designed to measure human sVCAM-1 in cell culture supernates, serum, and plasma. It contains CHO cell-expressed recombinant human sVCAM-1 and has been shown to accurately quantitate the recombinant factor. Results obtained using natural human sVCAM-1 showed linear curves that were parallel to the standard curves obtained using the kit standards. These results indicate that the Human sVCAM-1 immunoassay kit can be used to determine relative mass values for naturally occurring sVCAM-1.

VCAM1; vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; INCAM-100; Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 precursor; CD-10^6 antigen; CD10^6; DKFZp779G2333; MGC99561; CD10^6 antigen; OTTHUMP00000012650; OTTHUMP00000012651; L1CAM; V-CAM 1; CD106; Vcam-1;