The protein encoded by this gene is an endothelial cell adhesion molecule that interacts preferentially with the leukocyte beta7 integrin LPAM-1 (alpha4 / beta7), L-selectin, and VLA-4 (alpha4 / beta1) on myeloid cells to direct leukocytes into mucosal and inflamed tissues.
In particular, increased hepatic local metastasis of B16F1 melanoma cells is observed following exogenous IL-1a administration, which results from an increased vascular adhesion receptor expression, including E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, and tumor cell arrest in terminal portal venules.
They include soluble forms of the cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and P-selectin (distinguished as sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin and sP-selectin).