The CD44 proteins form a ubiquitously expressed family of cell surface adhesion molecules involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The multiple protein isoforms are encoded by a single gene by alternative splicing and are further modified by a range of post-translational modifications. CD44 proteins are single chain molecules comprising an N-terminal extracellular domain, a membrane ...

Endothelial adhesion molecules play an important role in the tissue recruitment of leukocytes in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. We have investigated the effect of the antirheumatic drug gold sodium thiomalate on adhesion molecule protein and mRNA expression in cultured human endothelial cells. Gold sodium thiomalate inhibited cytokine (TNF, IL-1, IL-4)-stimulated expressi...

Platelet activation and adhesion to the site of vascular injury is a dynamic process comprising reversible and irreversible phases. Platelet adhesion typically occurs in a multi-step process similar to the selectin/integrin-mediated adhesion of neutrophils. This phenomenon is highly regulated and influenced by the cross-talk between platelets and injured endothelium. This cross-talk involves a ...

Experimental evidence implies that L1 and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) are involved in long-term memory formation. Changes in their expression and glycosylation appear to modify the synaptic strength underlying memory consolidation. Interference with L1 and NCAM function in a variety of learning tasks in different species severely attenuates memory consolidation, indicating their involv...

there is growing evidence that lectin-carbohydrate interactions can mediate the infection of parasites to their insect vector. many insect species are host or vectors of protozoan or metazoan parasites that cause socially and economically important disease such as malaria and leishmaniasis. however, relatively little work has been undertaken concerning the interaction of insect immunity against...

Cryoelectron microscopy has been used to determine the structure of a virus when complexed with its glycoprotein cellular receptor. Human rhinovirus 16 complexed with the two amino-terminal, immunoglobulin-like domains of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 shows that the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 binds into the 12-A deep "canyon" on the viral surface. This result confirms the predict...