Endothelial cell-specific molecule 1, also known as ESM1, is a proteoglycan secreted by endothelial cells and its mRNA expression is regulated by inflammatory cytokines. ESM1 expression has also been detected in different epithelia and in adipocytes. The expression of endocan is upregulated by TNF alpha, IL1 beta, or lipopolysaccharide and downregulated by IFN gamma. Genetically engineered cells overexpressing endocan has been shown to induce tumor formation, suggesting that ESM1 may be involved in the pathophysiology of tumor growth in vivo. Recombinant human ESM1 protein, fused to His-tag at N-terminus, was expressed in E.coli