CD93 in Health and Disease: Bridging Physiological Functions and Clinical Applications.

CD93 is a highly glycosylated transmembrane glycoprotein with key functional domains, including a C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains. Primarily expressed in endothelial cells (ECs), CD93 regulates critical physiological processes such as angiogenesis, cell adhesion, migration, and apoptotic cell clearance through interactions with ligands like multimerin-2 (MMRN2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7). Aberrant CD93 expression has been observed in various pathological conditions, including inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Notably, CD93 is overexpressed in tumor-associated blood vessels, which is associated with poor prognosis and advanced disease stages. Targeting the CD93 signaling pathway has the potential to improve tumor vascular function and enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy, making it a promising therapeutic target. This review summarizes the current understanding of CD93's structure, function, and disease mechanisms, providing a framework for further research and clinical translation in related fields.