P19320

VCAM1,also known as CD106 is a member of the Ig superfamily and encodes a cell surface sialoglycoprotein expressed by cytokine-activated endothelium. VCAM1 consists of seven extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, a single transmembrane segment, and a short cytoplasmic tail; this structure is crucial as the immunoglobulin-like domains facilitate binding to integrins on leukocytes, particularly VLA-4 (α4β1 integrin). VCAM1 binding mediates the adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium, a key step in immune surveillance and inflammatory response. VCAM1 expression on endothelial cells is upregulated by inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Understanding VCAM1 structural features is important because alterations can affect integrin interaction, impacting leukocyte adhesion and migration, which are critical in conditions like atherosclerosis and autoimmune diseases.