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Mechanisms of Cell Plasticity during Injury-Induced Epithelial Reprogramming.
Evelyn Mazzarelli1,2, Sara Lovisa3,4
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy.
Cells, Tissues, Organs
|April 30, 2026
Summary
Epithelial cell plasticity enables tissue repair and regeneration after injury. This involves reprogramming through dedifferentiation, lineage switching, and trans-differentiation, all regulated by epigenetic and metabolic changes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Plasticity, the capacity for cellular identity change, is crucial for embryonic development and tissue homeostasis.
- Epithelial plasticity supports stem cell progenitors in generating mature cells and is a key feature of cancer cell adaptation.
- Understanding epithelial plasticity is vital for comprehending tissue repair and disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent evidence on epithelial cell plasticity in tissue repair and regeneration.
- To clarify the definition of plasticity using single-cell omics data.
- To identify common and organ-specific mechanisms of injury-induced epithelial reprogramming.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific evidence.
- Analysis of studies employing single-cell based omics technologies.
- Discussion of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying epithelial reprogramming.
Main Results:
- Epithelial cell identity modifications are central to damage-induced repair and regeneration.
- Reprogramming occurs via dedifferentiation (fetal reversion, paligenesis), lineage switching (transdetermination, transcommitment), and trans-differentiation.
- These plastic events are regulated by epigenetic control, metabolic shifts, and external sensing.
Conclusions:
- Epithelial plasticity is a fundamental process in tissue repair and regeneration.
- Mechanisms include dedifferentiation, lineage switching, and trans-differentiation, influenced by epigenetic and metabolic factors.
- This review provides a comprehensive overview of epithelial plasticity, highlighting key regulatory mechanisms in response to injury.
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