Description: Recognizes the Ig loops 2-3 of human CD31.
PECAM-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 130 kDa, depending on the degree of glycosylation. PECAM-1 is constitutively expressed on all vascular cells and has provided a useful immunohistochemical marker of blood vessels, particularly in the setting of angiogenesis. It has also been found on platelets, monocytes, neutrophils and CD8+ T cells. Bone marrow stem cells and transformed cell lines of the myeloid and megakaryocytic lineage also express PECAM-1. Interestingly, PECAM-1 was also detected on human, mouse and rat solid tumor lines.
Recent studies suggest a role for PECAM-1 in the inflammatory process and leukocyte-endothelial interaction. PECAM-1 is an early and sensitive marker for tumor-induced angiogenesis. Several data have suggested that PECAM-1 may be involved in the process of angiogenesis in a developing vertebrate embryo as well as during metastases formation.