[Cell membrane binding components for constituents of the extracellular matrix: structural mediator of the epithelial matrix interaction in the gastrointestinal tract].
Growth, migration, differentiation and metabolic functions of the epithelium in the gastrointestinal tract are regulated by the extracellular matrix. Different cell membrane binding components including the integrins for constituents of the extracellular matrix are expressed in the epithelial cells. These cell membrane binding components may be structural mediators of cell-matrix interaction in the gastrointestinal tract. A characterization of this interaction is of great importance, not only to understand physiological processes, such as epithelial migration and differentiation, but also for the pathogenesis of healing processes (ulcer healing), immunologically mediated processes (adhesion of immunocompetent cells), and especially for tumor pathology (invasion and metastasis). Gastrointestinal diseases are characterized by alterations in the expression of cell membrane binding components for different constituents of the extracellular matrix. In chronic inflammatory bowel disease, a changed expression can be identified on epithelial cells and, in especially malignant transformation of epithelial cells resulted in a pathologic expression of cell adhesion molecules. Oncogenes may modify the expression and function of these cell membrane binding components in the course of malignant transformation. In animal models, it was possible to reduce the frequency of tumor invasion and metastasis and to achieve longer survival times by blocking the cell membrane binding components on malignant cells. An increasing understanding of the role of cell membrane binding components in the epithelium-matrix interaction will certainly also be translated in the future into new therapeutic concepts.
Stallmach
A
A
Freie Universität Berlin, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Matthes
H
H
Riecken
E O
EO
D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D016023:Integrins
Zellmembranbindungskomponenten für Bestandteile der extrazellulären Matrix: Strukturelle Vermittler der Epithelzellmatrix-Interaktion im Gastrointestinaltrakt.