MUC18/CD146 Protein

Quality Statement:
CD146, also known as the melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) or cell surface glycoprotein MUC18, is a 113kDa cell adhesion molecule currently used as a marker for endothelial cell lineage. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) isolated from adipose tissue has been shown to be beneficial for treating peripheral nerve injuries. Micronized cellular adipose matrix (MCAM) is a SVF-rich micronized fat tissue obtained by a series of simple mechanical processes. The aim of this study is to assess the therapeutic effect of MCAM for peripheral nerve injury. An ANC filled with MCAM was implanted into a sciatic nerve defect in immunodeficient mice. Comparisons of this treatment with an autograft, an ANC filled with SVF cells, and an ANC alone were made based on electrophysiologic characteristics, sciatic function index, histological analyses of regenerated nerve fiber and myelination using electron microscopy, and the preventive effect on innervated muscle atrophy. These effects were significantly improved than in the control group (ANC only) and comparable to those in the SVF group, whereas the improvement did not reach the same level of autograft group.Injection of MCAM into an ANC accelerated nerve regeneration compared with use of an ANC alone and this effect, which indicate that MCAM is a promising transplant material for treatment of peripheral nerve injury and an alternative to use of SVF cells.

Reference:
1、Fritzsche F R. et al. (2008) CD146 protein in prostate cancer: revisited with two different antibodies. Pathology. 40(5): 457-464.2、Bidlingmaier S. et al. (2009) Identification of MCAM/CD146 as the target antigen of a human monoclonal antibody that recognizes both epithelioid and sarcomatoid types of mesothelioma. Cancer Res. 69(4): 1570-1577.3、Boneberg E M. et al. (2009) Soluble CD146 is generated by ectodomain shedding of membrane CD146 in a calcium-induced, matrix metalloprotease-dependent process. Microvasc Res. 78(3): 325-331.