PECAM-1 Mediated Liver Damage in a Selective Liver Radiation Model: a Role for TNF-α

The liver is considered to be radiosensitive; however, the mechanism of radiation-induced liver damage is poorly understood. Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1/CD31) is an adhesion molecule and expressed mainly in blood- and endothelial cells, and its expression is decreased during inflammatory processes. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is known to downregulate the PECAM-1 expression, the level of TNF-α is induced by radiation. The current study investigated if treatment of TNF-α could enhance the irradiation induced liver damage through regulating PECAM-1 signaling pathway.