Open AccessEndocan: A novel circulating proteoglycan
Author(s) -
Arunava Kali,
K. S. Rathan Shetty
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
indian journal of pharmacology/the indian journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.286
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1998-3751
pISSN - 0253-7613
DOI - 10.4103/0253-7613.144891
Subject(s) - inflammation , proteoglycan , biomarker , cell adhesion molecule , neovascularization , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , cell adhesion , endothelium , endothelial activation , chemistry , immunology , angiogenesis , biology , medicine , cell , extracellular matrix , biochemistry
Endocan is a novel endothelium derived soluble dermatan sulfate proteoglycan. It has the property of binding to a wide range of bioactive molecules associated with cellular signaling and adhesion and thus regulating proliferation, differentiation, migration, and adhesion of different cell types in health and disease. An increase in tissue expression or serum level of endocan reflects endothelial activation and neovascularization which are prominent pathophysiological changes associated with inflammation and tumor progression. Consequently, endocan has been used as a blood-based and tissue-based biomarker for various cancers and inflammation and has shown promising results.