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Selectins

Selectins

Cell adhesion is an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...

Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro

Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro

Published on: June 18, 2015

Targeting adhesion molecules in cardiovascular disorders.

René Haverslag¹, Gerard Pasterkamp, Imo E Hoefer

¹Experimental Cardiology, UMC Utrecht, G02.523, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. i.hoefer@umcutrecht.nl

Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Drug Targets

|December 17, 2008

Summary

Cell adhesion molecules are crucial in cardiovascular diseases, driving inflammation and plaque progression. Targeting these molecules offers new strategies for imaging and treating conditions like myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis.

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Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro

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Published on: June 18, 2015

Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Imaging Leukocyte Adhesion to the Vascular Endothelium at High Intraluminal Pressure

Imaging Leukocyte Adhesion to the Vascular Endothelium at High Intraluminal Pressure

Published on: August 23, 2011

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Medicine
Immunology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) regulate cell functions and tissue integrity.
CAMs are critically involved in cardiovascular disorders, including atherogenesis, myocardial infarction, and reperfusion injury.
Increased expression of CAMs mediating leukocyte extravasation is a hallmark of cardiovascular pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of CAMs in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
To explore the potential of targeting CAMs for diagnostic imaging of atherosclerotic plaques.
To discuss the application of CAM-targeting strategies for therapeutic drug delivery in cardiovascular medicine.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on CAMs in cardiovascular pathology.
Analysis of CAMs involved in leukocyte extravasation (selectins, integrins, Ig superfamily).
Examination of current and emerging techniques for CAM targeting in imaging and therapy.

Main Results:

CAMs, particularly those involved in leukocyte extravasation, are key players in cardiovascular diseases.
CAMs can be targeted for identifying atherosclerotic plaques and as biomarkers for plaque destabilization.
Targeting CAMs can prevent leukocyte extravasation, mitigating inflammatory tissue damage.

Conclusions:

Cell adhesion molecules are pivotal in cardiovascular disease progression and represent valuable targets.
Targeting CAMs offers promising avenues for advanced cardiovascular imaging and localized drug delivery.
Strategies include blocking binding sites, targeted delivery systems, and labeled cell/antibody imaging.