The expression, regulation and adhesion function of a novel CD molecule, CD226, on human endothelial cells

Lihua Chen1, Xin Xie, Xinhai Zhang

  • 1Department of Immunology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, People's Republic of China.

Life Sciences
|August 28, 2003
PubMed

Insights

CD226 is a novel inducible adhesion molecule found on human endothelial cells. Its expression increases upon cell stimulation, playing a role in cell adhesion processes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • CD226 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on immune cells like T cells and NK cells.
  • It plays a role in immune cell differentiation and platelet activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and function of CD226 on human endothelial cells.
  • To determine if CD226 acts as an adhesion molecule in endothelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Studied CD226 protein and mRNA expression in resting and stimulated HUVEC and ECV304 cells.
  • Utilized CD226/Ig fusion protein to block binding and adhesion assays.

Main Results:

  • CD226 expression was low in resting endothelial cells but significantly increased upon stimulation.
  • CD226/Ig fusion protein partially blocked the binding of activated endothelial cells to Jurkat cells.
  • CD226/Ig also partially inhibited the adhesion of activated endothelial cells to leukocytes and colo205 cells.

Conclusions:

  • Activated human endothelial cells express high levels of CD226.
  • CD226 functions as an inducible adhesion molecule on endothelial cells, mediating interactions with other cells.

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