| Background : |
CD31, also known as platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM1), is a type I integral membrane glycoprotein and a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface receptors.It is constitutively expressed on the surface of endothelial cells, and concentrated at the junction between them. The antibody reacts with the murine form of the Platelet-Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule. The reactivity of the antibody is restricted to the isoform of the molecule that is selectively expressed by endothelial cells.The antigen is predominantly present at the lateral borders of endothelial cells as described for human PECAM-1.It is also weakly expressed on many peripheral lymphoid cells and platelets.CD31 has been used to measure angiogenesis in association with tumor recurrence. Other studies have also indicated that CD31 and CD34 can be used as markers for myeloid progenitor cells and recognize different subsets of myeloid leukemia infiltrates (granular sarcomas). |
