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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2007;27:2514.)
© 2007 American Heart Association, Inc.

Brief Reviews

PECAM-1: A Multi-Functional Molecule in Inflammation and Vascular Biology

Abigail Woodfin; Mathieu-Benoit Voisin; Sussan Nourshargh

From the Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London, Queen Mary College, London, UK.

Correspondence to Professor Sussan Nourshargh, Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London, Queen Mary College, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom. E-mail s.nourshargh{at}qmul.ac.uk

Series Editor: Dietman Vestweber
Vascular Adhesion Molecules
ATVB In Focus

Previous Brief Reviews in this Series:

•van Buul JD, Kanters E, and Hordijk PL. Endothelial signaling by Ig-like cell adhesion molecules. Atheroscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2007;27:1870-1876.
•Bradfield PF, Nourshargh S, Aurrand-Lions M, Imhof BA. JAM family and related proteins in leukocyte migration. Atheroscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2007;27:2104-2112.
•Galkina E and Ley K. Vascular adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis. Atheroscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2007;27:2292-2301.

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1 or CD31) is a molecule expressed on all cells within the vascular compartment, being expressed to different degrees on most leukocyte sub-types, platelets, and on endothelial cells where its expression is largely concentrated at junctions between adjacent cells. As well as exhibiting adhesive properties, PECAM-1 is an efficient signaling molecule and is now known to have diverse roles in vascular biology including roles in angiogenesis, platelet function, and thrombosis, mechanosensing of endothelial cell response to fluid shear stress, and regulation of multiple stages of leukocyte migration through venular walls. This review will focus on some new developments with respect to the role of PECAM-1 in inflammation and vascular biology, highlighting the emerging complexities associated with the functions of this unique molecule.

This review discusses multiple roles of PECAM in inflammation and vascular biology, focusing on the emerging complexities associated with its role in leukocyte transendothelial migration. The review also discusses potential interaction of PECAM-1 with other endothelial cell junctional molecules and the role of PECAM-1 in various vascular and inflammatory disorders.

Key Words: PECAM-1 • JAM-A • Transmigration • Endothelium • Leukocyte