CD146: a promising target in respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases are major causes of chronic disorders and death worldwide, involving inflammatory, tumoral or infectious processes. It has been proven that vascular mechanisms are key contributors to the pathogenesis of these diseases. For that purpose, it is essential to describe and validate new biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets responsible for lung vascularisation and/or angiogenesis. CD146 is an endothelial cell adhesion molecule also expressed on mesenchymal stem cells, epithelial cells and T-helper 17 lymphocytes. A soluble form of CD146 exists, sCD146, which can be detected in blood and biological samples, including the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CD146/sCD146 are involved in angiogenesis and inflammation and are associated with many inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have reported both protective and detrimental roles of CD146/sCD146 in lung diseases. In the present review, we will describe the potential role of CD146 and sCD146 in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases in order to use them as key mechanistic biomarkers or new therapeutical targets to treat or even cure these pathologies.