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Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...

Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

Affinity and Avidity

Affinity and Avidity

Selectins

Selectins

Cell adhesion is an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

Published on: June 13, 2014

Adhesive interactions in the immune system.

Trends in Cell Biology

|July 1, 1997

Summary

Leukocytes, or white blood cells, rapidly mobilize to sites of danger through regulated adhesion. This review covers molecules critical for leukocyte adhesion, including unique aspects like transendothelial migration and activation.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

The immune system relies on circulating leukocytes to detect and respond to pathogens and environmental threats.
Rapid mobilization of leukocytes to sites of injury or infection is crucial for effective host defense.
Adhesive interactions between leukocytes and other cells/tissues are fundamental to immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the molecules involved in immune cell adhesion.
To emphasize unique aspects of leukocyte adhesion, such as transendothelial migration and activation.
To provide a comprehensive overview of leukocyte trafficking and interaction mechanisms.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on molecular mechanisms of leukocyte adhesion.

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Assay of Adhesion Under Shear Stress for the Study of T Lymphocyte-Adhesion Molecule Interactions

Assay of Adhesion Under Shear Stress for the Study of T Lymphocyte-Adhesion Molecule Interactions

Published on: June 29, 2016

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Published on: July 10, 2019

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Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

Published on: June 13, 2014

Assay of Adhesion Under Shear Stress for the Study of T Lymphocyte-Adhesion Molecule Interactions

Assay of Adhesion Under Shear Stress for the Study of T Lymphocyte-Adhesion Molecule Interactions

Published on: June 29, 2016

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Published on: July 10, 2019

Analysis of studies on cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in the immune system.

Synthesis of information on leukocyte migration, regulation of adhesiveness, and activation.

Main Results:

Identified key molecular players mediating leukocyte adhesion to endothelium, extracellular matrix, and other cells.
Highlighted the distinct mechanisms governing leukocyte transendothelial migration.
Discussed the regulation of leukocyte adhesiveness and activation processes.

Conclusions:

Leukocyte adhesion molecules and their regulated interactions are central to immune surveillance and response.
Understanding leukocyte adhesion is critical for developing therapies targeting immune-related diseases.
Further research into leukocyte activation and migration pathways will enhance immune defense strategies.