VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein containing multiple amino-terminal extracellular Ig-like domains, a transmembrane domain, and a short carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic domain . Alternative splicing generates two isoforms of VCAM-1 . The role of VCAM-1 during infection and inflammatory diseases is well characterized. Expression of VCAM-1 is induced in endothelial cells by inflammatory cytokines including TNF-? and IL-1?. VCAM-1 on endothelial cells interacts with the integrin VLA-4 (?4?1) on leukocytes to mediate migration of circulating leukocytes from the blood across the endothelium and into tissues .