Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process where epithelial cells lose their cell polarity and adhesion, gaining migratory and invasive properties to become mesenchymal stem cells, which is crucial in development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. EMT is regulated by a network of signaling pathways and transcription factors and involves changes in gene expression, cytoskeletal dynamics, and extracellular matrix composition.

Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process where epithelial cells lose their cell polarity and adhesion properties to gain migratory and invasive characteristics typical of mesenchymal stem cells. This process is crucial in embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis, making it a focal point for therapeutic research in oncology and regenerative medicine.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition

A biological process is a series of events or molecular functions that occur in living organisms to sustain life, such as metabolism, cell division, or photosynthesis. These processes are essential for growth, development, reproduction, and maintaining homeostasis in an organism.

biological process

Epithelial cells form the protective tissue that lines the surfaces and cavities of organs and structures throughout the body, playing crucial roles in protection, absorption, secretion, and sensation. Their unique ability to regenerate and form tight junctions makes them essential for maintaining the body's internal environment and facilitating selective permeability.

epithelial cells

Cell polarity refers to the spatial differences in the shape, structure, and function of cells, which are crucial for processes such as cell division, differentiation, and the establishment of tissue architecture. It is essential for the functioning of multicellular organisms, influencing how cells interact with each other and respond to their environment.

cell polarity

Cell adhesion is a fundamental biological process where cells interact and attach to neighboring cells or the extracellular matrix through specialized protein complexes. This process is crucial for tissue formation, maintenance, and repair, and plays a significant role in cellular communication and signaling pathways.

Cell Adhesion

Migratory Properties

invasive properties

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes, making them a promising tool for regenerative medicine. They possess immunomodulatory properties, which enhance their potential for therapeutic applications in treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

mesenchymal stem cells

Development refers to the process of growth, progress, or evolution in various contexts, such as personal, economic, or social domains. It involves the improvement of conditions, skills, or systems, often measured through indicators like quality of life, education, and economic prosperity.

development

Wound healing is a complex physiological process involving a series of overlapping stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, each critical for restoring tissue integrity. Effective healing requires a coordinated response from various cell types, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components, with disruptions potentially leading to chronic wounds or excessive scarring.

wound healing

Cancer metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the primary tumor site to distant organs, forming secondary tumors. This process is a major cause of cancer-related mortality and involves complex interactions between cancer cells and the host environment.

cancer metastasis

Signaling pathways are complex networks of communication that govern cellular responses to external stimuli, playing a crucial role in regulating cellular activities and maintaining homeostasis. They involve a series of molecular interactions and modifications that transmit signals from a receptor on the cell surface to the appropriate intracellular target, ultimately leading to a specific cellular response.

signaling pathways

Transcription factors are proteins that regulate gene expression by binding to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the transfer of genetic information from DNA to mRNA. They play a crucial role in cellular processes, including development, differentiation, and response to environmental signals.

transcription factors

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, typically proteins, which ultimately determine cellular function and phenotype. This process is tightly regulated at multiple levels, including transcription, RNA processing, translation, and post-translational modifications, to ensure proper cellular function and response to environmental cues.

gene expression

Cytoskeletal dynamics refers to the continuous remodeling of the cytoskeleton, a network of protein filaments and tubules that provide structural support, shape, and motility to cells. This dynamic process is crucial for various cellular functions, including cell division, intracellular transport, and response to environmental signals.

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