title: Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions: the importance of changing cell state in development and disease.
abstract: The events that convert adherent epithelial cells into individual migratory cells that can invade the extracellular matrix are known collectively as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Throughout evolution, the capacity of cells to switch between these two cellular states has been fundamental in the generation of complex body patterns. Here, we review the EMT events that build the embryo and further discuss two prototypical processes governed by EMT in amniotes: gastrulation and neural crest formation. Cells undergo EMT to migrate and colonize distant territories. Not surprisingly, this is also the mechanism used by cancer cells to disperse throughout the body.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Acloque
authors.forename: Meghan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fishwick
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bronner-Fraser
authors.forename: M Angela
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nieto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D004194:Disease; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*