Glioblastoma: Endosialin Marker for Pericytes

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is char-acterized by extensive microvascular proliferations. This abnormal vasculature is a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy. Here, we describe the current literature on a novel target for antibody-based therapy, endosialin (CD248/TEM1). This type I transmembrane protein is often observed in the tumor vasculature of GBM patients, but absent in normal, mature vessels of the brain. We describe the protein structure, regulation of expression and potential function of endosialin, and pay particular attention to the cell type distribution of endosialin in GBM vasculature, which we identified to be limited to pericytes.