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Updated: May 17, 2026
11:42
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
The mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in somatic cell reprogramming.
Miguel A Esteban1, Xichen Bao, Qiang Zhuang
1Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou 510530, China. esteban@gibh.org
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|October 23, 2012
Summary
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) are key cell state changes. Understanding their intersection is crucial for cell fate decisions, regenerative medicine, and disease research.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) enables cell migration, crucial for development, fibrosis, and cancer.
- Mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) reverses EMT but is less understood.
- EMT and MET can coexist and influence cell stemness properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET).
- To explore the significance of the interplay between EMT and MET in cell fate determination.
- To highlight the implications for regenerative medicine and disease pathology.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of EMT and MET processes.
- Investigating molecular regulators of cell state transitions.
- Utilizing stem cell reprogramming models.
Main Results:
- MET is essential for somatic cell reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells.
- The intersection of EMT and MET represents a critical point for cell fate plasticity.
- Specific molecular pathways governing both transitions are being identified.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between EMT and MET is fundamental to cell fate decisions.
- Further research into these transitions holds promise for regenerative medicine applications.
- Understanding EMT/MET dynamics is vital for addressing diseases involving aberrant cell plasticity.
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