title: Regulation and function of the E-cadherin/catenin complex in cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage and DCs.
abstract: E-cadherin is best characterized as adherens junction protein, which through homotypic interactions contributes to the maintenance of the epithelial barrier function. In epithelial cells, the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin forms a dynamic complex with catenins and regulates several intracellular signal transduction pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, Rho GTPase, and NF-κB signaling. Recent progress uncovered a novel and critical role for this adhesion molecule in mononuclear phagocyte functions. E-cadherin regulates the maturation and migration of Langerhans cells, and its ligation prevents the induction of a tolerogenic state in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs). In this respect, the functionality of β-catenin could be instrumental in determining the balance between immunogenicity and tolerogenicity of DCs in vitro and in vivo. Fusion of alternatively activated macrophages and osteoclasts is also E-cadherin-dependent. In addition, the E-cadherin ligands CD103 and KLRG1 are expressed on DC-, T-, and NK-cell subsets and contribute to their interaction with E-cadherin-expressing DCs and macrophages. Here we discuss the regulation, function, and implications of E-cadherin expression in these central orchestrators of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van den Bossche
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Malissen
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Baetselier
authors.forename: Jo A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Van Ginderachter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D051176:beta Catenin