Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Simultaneous Study of the Recruitment of Monocyte Subpopulations Under Flow In Vitro
Published on: November 26, 2018
PECAM-1 polymorphism affects monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells.
Reyna S Goodman1, Christopher M Kirton, Gertie J Oostingh
1Tissue Typing Laboratory, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom. reyna.goodman@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) gene variations affect monocyte adhesion. Heterozygous expression of PECAM-1 alleles significantly increases monocyte binding to endothelial cells, impacting immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31) is crucial for leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions.
- Common PECAM-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) form two haplotypes (LSR and VNG) linked to diseases like graft-versus-host disease and cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional impact of PECAM-1 LSR and VNG genotypes on monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion.
- To determine if PECAM-1 polymorphisms alter its role in leukocyte transmigration.
Main Methods:
- A flow-based cell adhesion assay was used to examine monocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells under shear stress.
- The study analyzed homozygous and heterozygous expression of PECAM-1 LSR and VNG genotypes in monocytes and endothelial cells.
Main Results:
- No difference in monocyte adhesion was observed between homozygous PECAM-1 genotypes.
- Heterozygous expression of PECAM-1 alleles in monocytes markedly increased firm adhesion to endothelial cells.
- Endothelial cell expression of PECAM-1 polymorphisms (homozygous or heterozygous) did not affect monocyte adhesion.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence that PECAM-1 genotype influences monocyte binding to endothelial cells.
- Heterozygous expression of polymorphic PECAM-1 can lead to altered protein function and cellular interactions.
Related Concept Videos
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Selectins
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

