Epithelial-endothelial transition and endothelial-mesenchymal transition

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Collective cell migration is fundamental in embryonic development, tissue repair, and cancer progression.
• Invading cancers often reactivate embryonic developmental pathways for collective cell movement.
• Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-studied process enabling epithelial cells to gain mesenchymal characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize recent literature on epithelial-endothelial transition (EET).
• To explore recent findings on endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT).
• To highlight the significance of EET and EndMT in biological contexts.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific publications.
• Synthesis of data on epithelial-endothelial transition.
• Analysis of research on endothelial-mesenchymal transition.

Main Results:

• Epithelial-endothelial transition involves changes in cell adhesion and polarity.
• Endothelial-mesenchymal transition contributes to angiogenesis and tissue remodeling.
• Both EET and EndMT share molecular mechanisms with EMT.

Conclusions:

• Epithelial-endothelial transition and endothelial-mesenchymal transition are critical, understudied processes.
• Understanding EET and EndMT offers insights into cancer metastasis and development.
• Further research into EET and EndMT is warranted for therapeutic targeting.