Cell-surface vimentin (CSV) (CSV)

Cell-surface vimentin (CSV) is a specific, post-translationally modified form of the intermediate filament protein vimentin that is translocated to the external leaflet of the plasma membrane (Satelli et al., 2014). While intracellular vimentin is a ubiquitous structural protein in mesenchymal cells, CSV is predominantly expressed on the surface of cancer cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is largely absent from healthy, non-activated tissues (UniProt P08670). This cancer-specific localization makes it an ideal target for therapeutic intervention and a robust biomarker for identifying mesenchymal circulating tumor cells (CTCs) (Satelli et al., 2014). CSV plays a critical role in promoting tumor cell invasion, migration, and resistance to chemotherapy by modulating signaling pathways and stabilizing the cell membrane during movement (Mitra et al., 2015). Therapeutic strategies targeting CSV include monoclonal antibodies, such as 84-1 and Pritumumab, which can inhibit metastatic progression and trigger immune-mediated cell death (Nasu et al., 2013). Additionally, CSV serves as a co-receptor for several viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and Enterovirus 71, suggesting its potential as a target in infectious disease management (Zahra et al., 2020).

Other names

Surface vimentinEcto-vimentinCancer-specific vimentinVIM

Targeting cell-surface vimentin primarily involves the use of monoclonal antibodies to block its role in cell adhesion and migration, thereby inhibiting metastasis. Some agents induce apoptosis or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) specifically in CSV-positive cancer cells. Small molecule inhibitors like Withaferin A disrupt the vimentin filament network, leading to cytoskeletal collapse and inhibition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process.