Melanoma cell adhesion molecule is an immunoglobulin superfamily member originally described as a cell surface adhesion protein and marker of the progression and metastasis of melanoma. Expression of MCAM protein is seen in vascular endothelial cells, activated T lymphocytes, smooth muscle, and bone marrow stromal cells. Research studies demonstrate increased MCAM expression in endothelial cells from angiogenesis-related disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, tumors, and chronic renal failure. MCAM-expressing human mesenchymal stromal cells in the hematopoietic microenvironment are responsible for maintaining the self-renewal of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells through direct contact between hMSC and HSPC. Related studies suggest that activation of the Notch signaling pathway may also, in part, play a role in HSPC maintenance. Additional research indicates that MCAM may play a role in multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects central nervous system neurons. Endothelial MCAM within the blood-brain barrier act as adhesion receptors that permit lymphocytes to transmigrate across the barrier and produce the inflammatory lesions that characterize the disorder.
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