Thy-1 membrane glycoprotein (CD90)

Thy-1 membrane glycoprotein, also known as CD90, is a 25-37 kDa glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein and a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (UniProt P04216). It is expressed on various cell types, including hematopoietic stem cells, neurons, fibroblasts, and vascular endothelial cells, where it plays a critical role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions (PubMed: 31114350). In the context of disease, Thy-1 is a key regulator of fibrosis; its loss on lung fibroblasts is associated with increased myofibroblast differentiation and the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (PubMed: 25614470). In oncology, CD90 serves as a marker for cancer stem cells in several malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma, making it a potential target for antibody-drug conjugates or CAR-T cell therapies (PubMed: 29038534). Additionally, Thy-1 modulates signaling pathways such as TGF-beta and integrin-mediated adhesion, influencing processes like neurite outgrowth and T-cell activation (PubMed: 30655551). While no CD90-targeted drugs are currently FDA-approved, it remains a significant focus for therapeutic development in regenerative medicine and chronic inflammatory conditions. Its role as a definitive marker for mesenchymal stem cells also makes it vital for the characterization of cell-based therapies.

Other names

CD90Thy-1 antigenTHY1Cluster of Differentiation 90

Modulation of TGF-beta signaling pathways and competitive inhibition of integrin-mediated cell adhesion (e.g., binding to alpha-V beta-3 integrins).