VE-cadherin: the major endothelial adhesion molecule controlling cellular junctions and blood vessel formation.
Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is a strictly endothelial specific adhesion molecule located at junctions between endothelial cells. In analogy of the role of E-cadherin as major determinant for epithelial cell contact integrity, VE-cadherin is of vital importance for the maintenance and control of endothelial cell contacts. Mechanisms that regulate VE-cadherin-mediated adhesion are important for the control of vascular permeability and leukocyte extravasation. In addition to its adhesive functions, VE-cadherin regulates various cellular processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis and modulates vascular endothelial growth factor receptor functions. Consequently, VE-cadherin is essential during embryonic angiogenesis. This review will focus on recent new developments in understanding the role of VE-cadherin in controlling endothelial cell contacts and influencing endothelial cell behavior by various outside-in signaling processes.
Vestweber
Dietmar
D
Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Röntgenstr. 20, D-48149 Münster, Germany. vestweb@mpi-muenster.mpg.de
D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000502:physiology*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000099152:Cadherin 5
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D000099152:Cadherin 5