Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight...

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring 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:...

Skeletal Muscle Anatomy

Skeletal Muscle Anatomy

Skeletal muscle is the most abundant type of muscle in the body. Tendons are the connective tissue that attaches skeletal muscle to bones. Skeletal muscles pull on tendons, which in turn pull on bones to carry out voluntary movements.

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

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Silk Microneedles for Targeted Epidermal Delivery of Antifreeze Proteins.

ACS omega·2026

Same author

Allopathic resident prevalence in orthopedic residency programs formerly accredited by the American Osteopathic Association during single accreditation.

Journal of osteopathic medicine·2026

Same author

Acute Effects of High-Intensity Interval Running on Plantar Fascia Thickness and Stiffness in Healthy Adults.

Journal of applied biomechanics·2025

Same author

Leveraging mechanobiology: Identifying mechanotransducers with potential applications for tendon repair.

The Journal of physiology·2025

Same author

The Real Match Rate? US DO Students Match Into Orthopaedic Surgery at Significantly Lower Rates than US MD Students Despite Single Accreditation.

JB & JS open access·2025

Same author

The LINC Complex Regulates Tendon Elastic Modulus, Collagen Crimp, and Lateral Expansion During Early Postnatal Development.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair

Published on: March 1, 2024

Cell-cell junctions in developing and adult tendons.

Sophia K Theodossiou¹, Jett B Murray¹, Nathan R Schiele¹

¹Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID.

Tissue Barriers

|December 11, 2019

Summary

Cell-cell junctions, including cadherins and connexins, are crucial for tendon development, maintenance, and injury. Understanding these proteins aids future tendon regeneration strategies.

Keywords:

Tendon cadherin connexin development tissue engineering

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Research by Developing Mouse Assembloids to Understand Cellular Mechanisms

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Research by Developing Mouse Assembloids to Understand Cellular Mechanisms

Published on: March 22, 2024

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Tissue Engineering with 3D Organoid Models

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Tissue Engineering with 3D Organoid Models

Published on: June 21, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Cell and Tissue Engineering for Tendon Repair

Published on: March 1, 2024

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Research by Developing Mouse Assembloids to Understand Cellular Mechanisms

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Research by Developing Mouse Assembloids to Understand Cellular Mechanisms

Published on: March 22, 2024

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Tissue Engineering with 3D Organoid Models

Author Spotlight: Advancing Tendon Tissue Engineering with 3D Organoid Models

Published on: June 21, 2024

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Musculoskeletal Science

Background:

Tendons are vital for force transmission in movement.
Cell-cell junction proteins like cadherins and connexins are implicated in musculoskeletal tissue development and injury.
Existing research on these junctions is more extensive in cartilage and bone compared to tendons.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of cell-cell junctions in embryonic and postnatal tendon development.
To examine the function of cadherins and connexins in adult tendons.
To provide insights from cartilage and bone research to inform future tendon studies.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on cell-cell junctions in tendon development, postnatal maintenance, and adult function.
Survey of cadherin and connexin roles in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis.
Summary of cell-cell junction involvement in musculoskeletal tissue pathologies.

Main Results:

Cell-cell junctions are integral to embryonic tendon development and differentiation.
Cadherins and connexins play significant roles in the maintenance and function of postnatal and adult tendons.
Insights from cartilage and bone suggest potential mechanisms for tendon pathologies.

Conclusions:

A comprehensive understanding of cell-cell junctions in tendons is essential for advancing regenerative medicine.
Further research into cadherins and connexins in tendons will facilitate improved therapeutic strategies for tendon injuries and diseases.