CD31
Encyclopedia
Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) also known as cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) is a protein
that in human is encoded by the PECAM1 gene
found on chromosome 17. PECAM-1 plays a key role in removing aged neutrophils from the body.
s, monocyte
s, neutrophils, and some types of T-cells, and makes up a large portion of endothelial
cell intercellular junctions
. The encoded protein is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is likely involved in leukocyte migration, angiogenesis
, and integrin
activation.
CD-31 is also expressed in certain tumors, including epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, epithelioid sarcoma-like hemangioendothelioma, other vascular tumor
s, histiocytic malignancies, and plasmacytomas. It is rarely found in some sarcomas and carcinomas.
, CD31 is used primarily to demonstrate the presence of endothelial cells
in histological tissue sections. This can help to evaluate the degree of tumour angiogenesis
, which can imply a rapidly growing tumour. Malignant endothelial cells also commonly retain the antigen, so that CD31 immunohistochemistry can also be used to demonstrate both angioma
s and angiosarcoma
s. It can also be demonstrated in small lymphocytic and lymphoblastic lymphoma
s, although more specific markers are available for these conditions.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in human is encoded by the PECAM1 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
found on chromosome 17. PECAM-1 plays a key role in removing aged neutrophils from the body.
Function
PECAM-1 is found on the surface of plateletPlatelet
Platelets, or thrombocytes , are small,irregularly shaped clear cell fragments , 2–3 µm in diameter, which are derived from fragmentation of precursor megakaryocytes. The average lifespan of a platelet is normally just 5 to 9 days...
s, monocyte
Monocyte
Monocytes are a type of white blood cell and are part of the innate immune system of vertebrates including all mammals , birds, reptiles, and fish. Monocytes play multiple roles in immune function...
s, neutrophils, and some types of T-cells, and makes up a large portion of endothelial
Endothelium
The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. These cells are called endothelial cells. Endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart...
cell intercellular junctions
Cell junction
A cell junction is a type of structure that exists within the tissue of a some multicellular organism . Cell junctions consist of protein complexes and provide contact between neighbouring cells or between a cell and the extracellular matrix...
. The encoded protein is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is likely involved in leukocyte migration, angiogenesis
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
, and integrin
Integrin
Integrins are receptors that mediate attachment between a cell and the tissues surrounding it, which may be other cells or the ECM. They also play a role in cell signaling and thereby regulate cellular shape, motility, and the cell cycle....
activation.
Tissue distribution
CD-31 is normally found on endothelial cells, platelets, macrophages and Kupffer cells, granulocytes, T / NK cells, lymphocytes, megakaryocytes, osteoclasts, neutrophils.CD-31 is also expressed in certain tumors, including epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, epithelioid sarcoma-like hemangioendothelioma, other vascular tumor
Vascular tumor
Vascular tumor may mean:* tumor of vascular origin, a growth formed from blood vessels; for example, hemangioma, Lymphangioma, hemangioendothelioma, Kaposi sarcoma, angiosarcoma, etc....
s, histiocytic malignancies, and plasmacytomas. It is rarely found in some sarcomas and carcinomas.
Immunohistochemistry
In immunohistochemistryImmunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry or IHC refers to the process of detecting antigens in cells of a tissue section by exploiting the principle of antibodies binding specifically to antigens in biological tissues. IHC takes its name from the roots "immuno," in reference to antibodies used in the procedure, and...
, CD31 is used primarily to demonstrate the presence of endothelial cells
Endothelium
The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. These cells are called endothelial cells. Endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart...
in histological tissue sections. This can help to evaluate the degree of tumour angiogenesis
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
, which can imply a rapidly growing tumour. Malignant endothelial cells also commonly retain the antigen, so that CD31 immunohistochemistry can also be used to demonstrate both angioma
Angioma
Angiomas are benign tumors derived from cells of the vascular or lymphatic vessel walls or derived from cells of the tissues surrounding these vessels....
s and angiosarcoma
Angiosarcoma
Angiosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of endothelial-type cells that line vessel walls. This may be in reference to blood or lymphatic vessels ....
s. It can also be demonstrated in small lymphocytic and lymphoblastic lymphoma
Lymphoblastic lymphoma
Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a result of abnormal adaptive immune cells, typically T-cells. It usually occurs in children....
s, although more specific markers are available for these conditions.