molecular biology Molecular biology is a branch of biology that seeks to understand the molecule, molecular basis of biological activity in and between Cell (biology), cells, including biomolecule, biomolecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactio ...

, intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) and

vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 Vascular cell adhesion protein 1 also known as vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) or cluster of differentiation 106 (CD106) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''VCAM1'' gene. VCAM-1 functions as a cell adhesion molecule. Str ...

(VCAM-1) are part of the

immunoglobulin superfamily The immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) is a large protein superfamily of cell surface and soluble proteins that are involved in the recognition, binding, or adhesion processes of cells. Molecules are categorized as members of this superfamily ...

. They are important in

inflammation Inflammation (from ) is part of the biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. The five cardinal signs are heat, pain, redness, swelling, and loss of function (Latin ''calor'', '' ...

immune response An immune response is a physiological reaction which occurs within an organism in the context of inflammation for the purpose of defending against exogenous factors. These include a wide variety of different toxins, viruses, intra- and extracellula ...

s and in

intracellular This glossary of biology terms is a list of definitions of fundamental terms and concepts used in biology, the study of life and of living organisms. It is intended as introductory material for novices; for more specific and technical definitions ...

signalling A signal is both the process and the result of transmission of data over some media accomplished by embedding some variation. Signals are important in multiple subject fields including signal processing, information theory and biology. In ...

events. The ICAM family consists of five members, designated ICAM-1 to ICAM-5. They are known to bind to

leucocyte White blood cells (scientific name leukocytes), also called immune cells or immunocytes, are cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign entities. White blood cells are genera ...

integrins Integrins are transmembrane receptors that help cell–cell and cell– extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion. Upon ligand binding, integrins activate signal transduction pathways that mediate cellular signals such as regulation of the cell cycle, ...

CD11/

CD18 In molecular biology, CD18 (Integrin beta chain-2) is an integrin beta chain protein that is encoded by the '' ITGB2'' gene in humans. Upon binding with one of a number of alpha chains, CD18 is capable of forming multiple heterodimers, which play ...

such as

LFA-1 Lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) is an integrin found on lymphocytes and other leukocytes. LFA-1 plays a key role in emigration, which is the process by which leukocytes leave the bloodstream to enter the tissues. LFA-1 also mediates ...

and

Macrophage-1 antigen Macrophage-1 antigen (or integrin αMβ2 or macrophage integrin or Mac-1) is a complement receptor ("CR3") consisting of CD11b (integrin αM) and CD18 (integrin β2). The integrin α chain is noncovalently bound to the integrin β chain. It bind ...

, during

and in immune responses. In addition, ICAMs may exist in soluble forms in

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are Hominidae, great apes characterized by their Prehistory of nakedness and clothing ...

plasma, due to activation and

proteolysis Proteolysis is the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids. Protein degradation is a major regulatory mechanism of gene expression and contributes substantially to shaping mammalian proteomes. Uncatalysed, the hydrolysis o ...

mechanisms at

cell Cell most often refers to: * Cell (biology), the functional basic unit of life * Cellphone, a phone connected to a cellular network * Clandestine cell, a penetration-resistant form of a secret or outlawed organization * Electrochemical cell, a de ...

surfaces. Mammalian intercellular adhesion molecules include: *

ICAM-1 ICAM-1 (Intercellular adhesion molecule, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1) also known as CD54 (Cluster of Differentiation 54) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ICAM1'' gene. This gene encodes a cell surface glycoprotein which is ty ...

ICAM2 Intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM2), also known as CD102 (Cluster of Differentiation 102), is a human gene, and the protein resulting from it. Protein structure The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the intercellular adhesion mol ...

ICAM3 Intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM3) also known as CD50 (Cluster of Differentiation 50), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ICAM3'' gene. The protein is constitutively expressed on the surface of leukocytes, which are also calle ...

ICAM4 The LW blood system was first described by Landsteiner and Wiener in 1940. It was often confused with the Rh system, not becoming a separate antigen system until 1982. The LW and RhD antigens are genetically independent though they are phenotyp ...

ICAM5 Intercellular adhesion molecule 5 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ICAM5'' gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) family. All ICAM proteins are type I transmembrane glycopro ...

References

Cell biology Protein families {{Biochem-stub