Adhesion

Focal adhesion points ensure cell adhesion to adhesion molecules, with transmembrane receptors like integrins, which connect cellular and non-cellular structures, playing a critical role in their formation. Vinculin, alpha-actin, and other proteins populate the sites of adhesion bonds. The arrangement of adhesion macromolecules in the extracellular matrix (fibronectin and vitronectin) determines the final position of cells during tissue structural remodeling, such as during wound healing. Cells can only reorganize by disintegrating adhesion bonds. A similar scenario occurs during the metastasis (spread) of tumor cells when transformed tumor cells detach from the tumors, migrate, and form new tumor foci. Gene mutations (defects) encoding cell adhesion glycoproteins are the main causes of these complications. Several families of adhesion molecules exist, including integrins, cadherins, selectins, adhesion immunoglobulins, laminins, fibronectins, vitronectins, and others.

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė