Thy-1 membrane glycoprotein (CD90) (CD90)

Thy-1 membrane glycoprotein, also known as CD90, is a highly conserved, 25-37 kDa glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is predominantly expressed on neurons, thymocytes, fibroblasts, and various stem cells, where it functions as a critical regulator of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Thy-1 acts as a context-dependent scaffold, interacting with ligands such as integrins (e.g., αvβ3) and syndecan-4 to modulate signaling pathways involving SRC family kinases and Rho GTPases. In disease, Thy-1 plays a dual role: it serves as a tumor suppressor in ovarian and nasopharyngeal cancers but acts as an oncogenic marker for cancer stem cells in liver and pancreatic malignancies. In the lungs, its loss is a hallmark of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, where it leads to the transformation of fibroblasts into activated myofibroblasts. Therapeutically, Thy-1 is explored as a target for cancer stem cell eradication and as a potential diagnostic marker using targeted imaging agents, while soluble forms are being investigated as pro-resolution agents in fibrotic diseases.

Other names

CD90THY1Thymocyte antigen 1CDw90Thy-1 cell surface antigenThy-1 antigen

Binding and modulation of integrin signaling (e.g., αvβ3, α5β1, αMβ2), regulation of SRC family kinase (SFK) activity, and inhibition of contraction-induced latent TGF-β1 activation in fibroblasts.