The Cluster of Differentiation 31 (CD31) adhesion molecule, also known as platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), is the only known member of the CAM family on platelets. CD31 protein is a 130-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by endothelial cells, platelets, monocytes, neutrophils, and certain T cell subsets. CD31 protein is also expressed in certain tumors, including epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, other vascular tumors, and histiocytic malignancies. CD31 plays a key role in removing aged neutrophils and tissue regeneration. CD31 protein mediates the homotypic or heterotypic cell adhesion by binding to itself or the leukocyte integrin αvβ3, and thus plays a role in neutrophil recruitment in inflammatory responses, transendothelial migration of leukocytes, as well as in cardiovascular development.
Full Name
platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1
References
- Deaglio S, et al. (2000) CD38/CD31, a receptor/ligand system ruling adhesion and signaling in human leukocytes. Chem Immunol. 75: 99-120.
- Kohler S, et al. (2009) Life after the thymus: CD31+ and CD31- human naive CD4+ T-cell subsets. Blood. 113(4): 769-74.