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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
04:07
Isolation of Epithelial Cells from Human Dental Follicle
Published on: November 5, 2021
Epithelial integrins with special reference to oral epithelia
H Larjava1, L Koivisto, L Häkkinen
1Laboratory of Periodontal Biology, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. larjava@interchange.ubc.ca
Journal of Dental Research
|March 29, 2011
Summary
Epithelial cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is vital for oral health. This review explores how epithelial integrins and their ligands impact gingival tissue health, disease, and repair.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology
- Cellular biology
- Tissue engineering
Background:
- Epithelial adhesion to the extracellular matrix is essential for oral health.
- In the oral cavity, gingival tissue must seal to teeth or implants for health.
- Epithelial wound healing relies on extracellular matrix deposition and integrin function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure and function of epithelial integrins and their extracellular ligands.
- To elaborate on the role of epithelial integrins in oral disease and repair processes.
- To discuss the potential involvement of epithelial integrins in regulating periodontal inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental evidence.
- Analysis of the structure and function of epithelial integrins.
- Examination of extracellular matrix ligands involved in epithelial adhesion.
Main Results:
- Epithelial integrins are critical for forming an epithelial seal in the oral cavity.
- Integrin activation and function are crucial for epithelial migration during wound repair.
- Emerging evidence suggests epithelial integrins modulate periodontal inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Epithelial integrins and their ligands are key players in maintaining oral tissue integrity.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for addressing diseases and promoting repair in the oral cavity.
- Further research into epithelial integrin roles may reveal therapeutic targets for periodontal conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Integrins
Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
01:15Activation of Integrins
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding events provide an effective stimulus.
01:24Adherens 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...
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
01:03Anchoring Junctions
Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
01:25Selectins
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...