Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) (CAMs)

Leukocyte and endothelial surface proteins involved in adhesion and microcirculation, collectively known as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), are a diverse group of glycoproteins that mediate the interaction between circulating immune cells and the vascular wall (Ley et al., 2007, PMID: 17173134). This class includes selectins (E-, P-, and L-selectin), integrins (such as LFA-1 and VLA-4), and members of the immunoglobulin superfamily (including ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) (Muller, 2011, PMID: 21441581). These molecules are essential for the physiological recruitment of leukocytes to sites of injury or infection, but their dysregulation is a hallmark of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (Springer, 1994, PMID: 7925968). In the context of microcirculation, these proteins regulate the flow and distribution of blood cells within small vessels, and their over-activation can lead to microvascular obstruction and tissue ischemia (StatPearls, 2023). Therapeutic strategies targeting these proteins involve monoclonal antibodies or small molecules that disrupt the adhesion cascade, effectively reducing tissue inflammation in conditions like multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and sickle cell disease (FDA, 2023). By blocking the transition from rolling to firm adhesion, these drugs prevent the extravasation of pathogenic leukocytes into sensitive tissues like the brain or gut (PubChem, 2024).

Other names

Adhesion moleculesLeukocyte-endothelial adhesion moleculesVascular adhesion moleculesCell surface adhesion proteins

Inhibition of leukocyte-endothelial interaction by blocking the binding of adhesion receptors (e.g., integrins) to their ligands (e.g., ICAMs or selectins), thereby preventing leukocyte recruitment and extravasation into tissues.