Cell Adhesion

Definition

Cell adhesion refers to the process by which cells interact and attach to neighboring cells or the extracellular matrix (ECM) through specific proteins known as cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). This process is crucial for tissue formation, maintenance, and repair, as well as for cell signaling and communication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cell adhesion is vital for the structural integrity of tissues and allows for proper cellular organization during development.
2. The ECM composition influences cell adhesion properties, where variations in proteins like fibronectin and collagen can alter how cells attach and interact.
3. Disruption in cell adhesion mechanisms can lead to various diseases, including cancer metastasis, where cells lose their adhesive properties and migrate away from primary tumors.
4. Techniques such as surface functionalization can enhance cell adhesion in scaffold design, improving tissue engineering outcomes.
5. The physical properties of scaffolds, like surface chemistry and topography, significantly impact cell adhesion and subsequent cellular behaviors.

Review Questions

• How do integrins influence cell adhesion and what role do they play in tissue development?
  • Integrins are crucial for cell adhesion as they connect cells to the extracellular matrix. They help in transmitting signals from the ECM into the cell, influencing cellular behavior like migration, differentiation, and survival. In tissue development, integrins facilitate proper attachment of cells to the matrix, allowing for organized tissue formation and maintenance.
• Discuss how ECM remodeling affects cell adhesion dynamics and what implications this has for regenerative medicine.
  • ECM remodeling is a dynamic process that can alter the composition and architecture of the matrix. Changes in ECM properties can enhance or inhibit cell adhesion, affecting how cells interact with their environment. In regenerative medicine, understanding these dynamics is crucial as it influences scaffold design and functionalization strategies aimed at promoting optimal cell behavior for tissue repair and regeneration.
• Evaluate the importance of cell adhesion in bioprinted constructs and how it relates to overall cell viability and function.
  • Cell adhesion is fundamental in bioprinted constructs as it directly affects how well cells integrate within these engineered tissues. Adequate cell adhesion ensures that cells remain in place, communicate effectively, and perform their functions. If cells cannot properly adhere to each other or to the scaffold due to poor design or surface characteristics, it may lead to reduced cell viability and functionality, ultimately compromising the success of the bioprinted tissue.

Related terms

Integrins: Integrins are a family of cell adhesion receptors that mediate the attachment between cells and the ECM, playing a key role in cellular signaling.

Cadherins: Cadherins are a class of CAMs that mediate homophilic cell-cell adhesion, which is essential for maintaining the structure of tissues.

Focal Adhesions: Focal adhesions are specialized structures formed at the sites where cells adhere to the ECM, acting as signaling hubs that facilitate communication between the ECM and the cytoskeleton.