Interendothelial junctions and their role in the control of angiogenesis, vascular permeability and leukocyte transmigration

Thromb Haemost. 2001 Jul;86(1):308-15.

Abstract

Endothelial cell-cell junctions play an important role in vascular hemostasis. The two junctional proteins VE-cadherin and JAM-1 are localized at adherens and tight junctions, respectively. VE-cadherin is only expressed by endothelial cells, suggesting that it can exert cell specific function. Absence of VE-cadherin or blocking of its adhesive activity prevents a normal organization of new vascular structures, suggesting that VE-cadherin may be a molecular target of antiangiogenic therapy. In addition, the ability of permeability-increasing agents and adherent leukocytes to modify VE-cadherin/catenin organization may be related to a role in the control of vascular permeability and leukocyte infiltration. JAM-1 is an integral membrane protein expressed in endothelial and epithelial cells. Its extracellular domain can dimerize and bind homophilically. The intracellular domain (and in particular a PDZ-binding motif) enables JAM-1 to interact with structural and signaling proteins. Study of the molecular interactions of JAM-1 may help explain mechanisms of JAM-mediated function, such as control of paracellular permeability and leukocyte transmigration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / chemistry
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cadherins / physiology
  • Capillary Permeability
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / ultrastructure
  • Gap Junctions / chemistry
  • Gap Junctions / physiology*
  • Hemostasis
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Receptors, Cell Surface*

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • F11R protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface

Grants and funding