Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
08:11
Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics
Published on: March 26, 2018
[Tumors--disorders of cell adhesion]
1Departement Pathologie, Universität Zürich, Schweiz.
Verhandlungen Der Deutschen Gesellschaft Fur Pathologie
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Cell adhesion molecules are crucial for organ development and function. This review highlights their roles in cell interactions, immune responses, and tumor metastasis, focusing on NCAM, integrins, and CD44.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are vital for organogenesis and maintaining adult organ structure.
- They mediate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, influencing leukocyte migration, immune surveillance, and inflammation.
- CAMs are implicated in tumor progression, including metastasis, and their detection can predict clinical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of cell adhesion molecules.
- To focus on specific CAMs: polysialic acid of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), integrins, and CD44.
- To discuss their involvement in normal physiological processes and pathological conditions like cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles on cell adhesion molecules.
- Focus on studies detailing the function of NCAM, integrins, and CD44.
- Analysis of their roles in organogenesis, immunity, and tumor biology.
Main Results:
- Cell adhesion molecules are essential for tissue development and homeostasis.
- They regulate immune cell trafficking and inflammatory responses.
- Aberrant expression of CAMs contributes to tumor metastasis and influences prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Cell adhesion molecules, including NCAM, integrins, and CD44, are critical regulators of diverse biological processes.
- Understanding their functions is key to developing therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases and cancer.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of CAMs offers prognostic value in tumor diagnostics.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:30Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
01:20Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...