VCAM1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and plasma membrane proteins were also detectedincluding the vascular adhesion protein VCAM1, the platelet adhesion CADHERIN-13the PROTEOGLYCAN 4a protein with anti-inflammatory properties increased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [36] TGFBIan ECM factor required for normal alveolar structure and function [37] and EFEMP1 (EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1)whose gene is mutated in a macular degeneration disease characterized by complement-trigger protein/lipid deposits [38].