CHAD is implicated in the adhesion of fibroblasts, osteoblasts and chondrocytes, which is mediated by interactions with Integrin α2/β1. Existing primarily in monomeric form, CHAD is a secreted protein that localizes to the extracellular matrix and belongs to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family and class IV subfamily. CHADL (Chondroadherin-like protein) is a 762 amino acid protein containing 21 LRR (leucine-rich) repeats, which promote protein-ligand interactions. Chondroadherin, a closely related protein, promotes attachment of chrondocytes, osteoblasts and fibroblasts and also plays an important role in the regulation of chrodrocyte proliferation and growth. CHADL is a secreted protein that is located in the extracellular space. There are two isoforms of CHADL that exist as a result of alternative splicing events.