Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are important molecules that have the ability to selectively recruit circulating leukocytes to sites of inflammation. This is made possible by its distinct domains which can promote cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Anchoring junctions are formed between multiprotein complexes and CAMs are crucial to the formation of these junctions. If the interactions occurring is between apposed cells then it is described as either homophilic or heterophilic. Furthermore, CAMs can also mediate interactions between cells of the same type (homotypic adhesion) or between different cell types (heterotypic adhesion). Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are grouped into four main families:
- Cadherins: Which are responsible in mediating primarily homophilic interactions at cell-cell adhesions.
- Selectins: These mediate heterophilic interactions at cell-cell adhesions.
- Integrins: Some integrin types mediate heterophilic cell-cell interactions.
- Immunoglobulin superfamily (Ig) CAMs: Mediate homophilic interactions at cell-cell adhesions.
There are many other proteins (such as; talin, parvin, tensin, vinculin and zyxin) which are also recruited to cell adhesion sites and which play vital roles in connecting cell adhesion molecules to the internal components of the cell or in other cases providing structural support to the larger adhesion complexes that have been formed. Adhesion molecules are essential for T-cell activation and leukocyte migration. There is also evidence to suggest that soluble CAMs are essential biomarker tools for inflammatory processes that involve activation or damage to cells (examples include endothelium and platelets).
Popular Cell Adhesion Molecule ELISA Kits
- Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) ELISA Kit
- E-Cadherin (CDH1) ELISA Kit
- Soluble Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sPECAM-1) ELISA Kit
- Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) ELISA Kit
- L-Selectin (CD62L) ELISA Kit
- Cadherin-16 (CDH16) ELISA Kit
- VE-Cadherin (CDH5) ELISA Kit
