Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP-II) (EMAP-II)

Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP-II), also known as AIMP1, is a multifunctional protein that serves as a component of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) in the cytoplasm and as a pro-inflammatory cytokine when secreted (UniProt P14866). It is released from cells undergoing apoptosis or under stress conditions like hypoxia, where it acts as a potent chemoattractant for monocytes and neutrophils and induces the expression of E-selectin and P-selectin on endothelial cells (PubMed PMID: 10541285). In the context of oncology, EMAP-II exhibits anti-angiogenic properties and can sensitize tumor cells to apoptosis, making it a candidate for combination therapies with agents like TNF-alpha (PubMed PMID: 15634757). Conversely, its pro-inflammatory nature links it to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and acute lung injury (PubMed PMID: 22403441). Therapeutic development focuses on both utilizing its anti-tumor effects and neutralizing its pro-inflammatory activity depending on the disease context.

Other names

AIMP1p43SCYE1Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 1Small inducible cytokine subfamily E member 1

Modulation of the tumor microenvironment through inhibition of angiogenesis and induction of apoptosis, or neutralization of pro-inflammatory signaling in chronic inflammatory states.