ICAM-1/CD54

ICAM-1, the CD54 antigen, is an inducible transmembrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed on endothelial and epithelial cells, leukocytes and fibroblasts. Five extracellular Ig-like domains bind the leukocyte integrins LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), providing the adhesive surface that captures circulating leukocytes and drives their transendothelial migration during inflammation. Basal expression is low but strongly upregulated by TNF-alpha, IL-1 and LPS through NF-κB-dependent transcription. ICAM-1 also serves as a receptor for rhinovirus and for Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Soluble ICAM-1 in plasma reflects endothelial activation and is studied as a biomarker in atherosclerosis, sepsis and transplant rejection.