About ESM1 / Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule 1:
Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule 1, or ESM1, is also known as endocan. It’s a type of proteoglycan that is expressed and secreted into the bloodstream through the vascular endothelium, and has been identified as a potentially significant cell marker for targeted cancer treatments.
ESM1 Structure
ESM1 is a soluble proteoglycan of 50 kDa, containing 165 amino acids and dermatan sulphate chain linked to the serine residue at position 137. It is found circulating freely in the human bloodstream, and has been found to be an important component for different processes, including cell adhesion and the growth of tumors, as identified in trials using mouse models using human tumor xenografts. There is strong evidence of ESM1 being overexpressed in tumors, especially in patients with late-stage lung cancer. Cytokines regulate the expression, and may be connected to endothelium-dependent pathological disorders.
Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule 1 Function
Recent research has found that the development of an ESM1 antibody against its protein core could prove to be an effective cancer treatment.
In addition to its prevalence in tumors, ESM1 has also been found in many studies relating to kidney diseases, although its role in renal fibrosis has yet to be determined. It has also been identified as potentially playing a key role in inflammation, and could have a prognostic impact in hypertension, transplant rejection, and chronic renal failure. Research is ongoing into the role ESM1 plays in multiple conditions to help produce effective treatments based on recent effective therapies.