PDPN

PDPN Full Name

podoplanin

PDPN Introduction

Podoplanin (PDPN), also known as T1alpha, DT8, HOP-40, gp38, GL-21 and Tyro-3, is a mucin-type transmembrane glycoprotein. It is found in wide variety of tissues including lymphatic endothelial cells, type I alveolar cells, kidney podocytes, and subsets of stromal cells. The protein has a heavily O-glycosylated extracellular domain and a short cytoplasmic tail. It binds to ERM proteins and appears to play a role in the cytoskeletal rearrangements. PDPN is required for normal lymphatic development, including normal separation of the blood and lymphatic vessels during embryogenesis. In most healthy tissues, PDPN is tightly regulated, but it is also inducible in disease states. This protein is receiving increasing attention in the fields of immunology, oncology and vascular biology.

Figure 1. Molecular interactions of PDPN.(Source: Astarita JL, et al.; 2012)

Biologically, PDPN has functional relevance in cell motility, cytoskeletal remodeling and platelet aggregation by binding its ligand CLEC-2 on platelets. By maintaining vascular integrity during development and inflammation, PDPN is likely important in disease processes, in addition to directly regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition and fibroblast activation through an actin reorganization role. The upregulation of PDPN in stromal cells can promote tissue remodeling and an invasive microenvironment. PDPN is also important for alveolar maintenance in the lung and podocyte filtration properties.

PDPN is clinically relevant for numerous diseases. PDPN is often overexpressed in several tumors including squamous cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, and sarcomas. In these tumors, PDPN is generally linked to greater invasion, metastasis, and worse prognosis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), PDPN-expressing cells that are found to be implicated in immunosuppression and extracellular matrix remodeling. Increased PDPN has also been associated with inflammation-driven diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, and thrombosis in its role in platelet activation.

Alternate Names for PDPN

PDPN; podoplanin; T1A; GP36; GP40; Gp38; OTS8; T1A2; TI1A; T1A-2; AGGRUS; HT1A-1; PA2.26

• Immunohistochemistry Antibodies for Pathology
• Immunohistochemistry Antibodies for Pathology

• 1. Astarita JL, et al.; Podoplanin: emerging functions in development, the immune system, and cancer. Front Immunol. 2012, 3:283.