Cell adhesion, junction,

and extracellular matrix

What is cell adhesion and why is it important?
• Cell adhesion is such a mechanism by which cells adhere to other cells with the
help of cell surface proteins.
• The contact can either be direct like in cell junction or it can be indirect in which
cells are connected by extracellular matrix adhesion.
• Adhesion is required for cell communication and regulation, as well as for the
development and maintenance of tissues.
• Adhesion is also required for the formation of new tissues.
Types of cell junction:
1. Tight junction
2. Anchoring junctions
3. Gap junction
4. Plasmodesmata
Tight junction
• Tight junctions create a watertight seal between
two adjacent animal cells.
• At the site of a tight junction, cells are held
tightly against each other by many individual
groups of tight junction proteins called claudins.
• Each of these proteins interact with a partner
group on the opposite cell membrane.
• The groups are arranged into strands that form a
branching network, with larger numbers of
strands making for a tighter seal.
• Tight junctions keep liquid from escaping
between cells, allowing a layer of cells to act as
an impermeable barrier.
• For example, the tight junctions between the
epithelial cells lining of bladder prevent urine
from leaking out into the extracellular space.
Anchoring junctions
• These are cell-cell junctions which are
essential for tissue integrity, cell-cell
adhesion, and signal transmission.
• These are mainly composed of four proteins
such as cadherins, delta catenin,
plakoglobin, and alpha-catenin.
• Cadherin, forms adherens junctions by
interacting with other cadherin molecules on
neighbouring cells via homophilic binding.
• Adherens junctions are dynamic structures
that may build and deconstruct quickly when
subjected to different signaling routes and
physical pressures.
• Adherens junctions are classified into 3 types
such as Cadherin-based Adherens Junctions,
Desmosomes and Hemidesmosomes.
 Cadherin-based junctions
• Cadherin-based adhesion junctions are generated largely by the transmembrane
protein cadherin, that links to cadherins on nearby cells, connecting them.
• These junctions may be observed in a variety of tissue & are vital for tissue integrity
and cell adhesion.
Desmosome-based Junctions
• Desmosomes, complex structures of proteins that
tether intermediate filaments to the cell
membrane, build these junctions.
• Desmosomes are mainly composed of desmosome-
intermediate filament complexes (DIFC), including
cadherin proteins, linker proteins, and keratin
intermediate filaments.
• Desmosomes are most prevalent in tissues
subjected to mechanical stress, such as the skin
and heart, and they serve to avoid tearing and to
preserve tissue strength.
Hemidesmosomes
• These are asymmetric structures that link
epithelial cells. The cell’s basal domains are
connected to the underlying basal lamina.
• They induce stable adhesions in connective
tissue.
• Hemidesmosome is composed of a cytoplasmic
lamina in connection with intermediate filaments
(keratins or tonofilaments).
• 2nd one is the outer membrane plate, which
connects the hemidesmosome to the basal
lamina. This interaction is made up of anchor
filaments (made up of laminin 5) and integrin.
Gap junctions
• Functionally, gap junctions are channels
between neighboring cells that allow for
the transport of ions, water, and other
substances cubed.
• In vertebrates, gap junctions develop
when a set of six membrane proteins
called connexins form an elongated,
donut-like structure called a connexon.
When the pores, or “doughnut holes,” of
connexons in adjacent animal cells align, a
channel forms between the cells.
• Invertebrates also form gap junctions in a
similar way, but use a different set of
proteins called innexins.
Plasmodesmata
• These are microscopic cytoplasmic canal
that passes through plant-cell walls and
allows direct communication of molecules
between adjacent plant cells.
• Plasmodesmata vary in size and structure,
although they are generally 50-60 nm in
diameter.
• The channels are bordered by a lipid bilayer
plasma membrane that is contiguous with
the membranes of the two neighboring
cells.
Functions of Cell junctions
Here are some of the most important roles of cell junctions:
• Cell adhesion: Cell junctions assist to connect neighboring cells, forming the structural
underpinning for tissue and organs.
• Barrier function: Tight junctions, for example, provide a barrier that stops molecules and ions
from passing between cells, aiding in tissue integrity and regulating the transport of substances
among epithelial layers.
• Communication: Gap junctions enable direct interchange of chemicals, ions, and electrical
impulses between cells, allowing for more coordinated responses to environmental changes and
stimuli.
• Signaling: Cell junctions can function as signaling channels, conveying messages from the
extracellular matrix to the cell’s interior and assisting in controlling processes of cellular activity
such as development, differentiation, proliferation, and death.
• Mechanical support: Desmosomes, bind intermediate filaments to the cell membrane, providing
strong mechanical support for tissues that endure mechanical stress, such as the skin and heart.
• Development: Cell junctions play an important role in tissue development, including cell
migration, tissue creation, and organogenesis.
• Disease: Cell junction dysfunction has been associated to a number of illnesses, including cancer,
skin problems, and cardiovascular disease.
Extracellular matrix
• Animal tissue is not only composed of cells but also contains many types of extracellular space
or intercellular space. These spaces are again filled up by many types of macromolecules
constituting the extracellular matrix.
• The macromolecules that constitute the extracellular matrix are mainly secreted locally by the
cells.
• In most of the connective tissues the macromolecules are secreted by fibroblast. In some
specialized connective tissues, such as cartilage and bone, they are secreted by chondroblasts
and osteoblasts, respectively.
Types of Extracellular Matrix
1. Fibrous elements (e.g. collagen, elastin, reticulin)
2. Link proteins (e.g. fibronectin, laminin)
3. Glycosaminoglycans - Space filling molecules
• Collagen is a protein that makes up a
significant portion of the extracellular matrix.
• When collagen proteins are released from the
cell, they assemble into long fibers known as
collagen fibrils after being modified with
carbohydrates.
• Collagen is essential for the strength and
structural integrity of tissues.
• Elastin is a glycoprotein that is commonly
found in ECM, and binds with collagen.
• Elastin creates extensible elastic fibers
that give tissues subjected to repeated
stretching flexibility.
• Lung tissues and the vasculature
(circulatory system) are two tissues with
significant elastin content.
• Fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells
produce elastin.
• Proteoglycan complexes form a net into which
collagen fibers are incorporated.
• The complexes are made up of hundreds of
proteoglycan molecules along a lengthy
polysaccharide (carbohydrate) chain.
• Collagen fibers and a family of proteoglycans
that contain carbohydrates are woven together
in the extracellular matrix. These proteoglycans
may be connected to lengthy polysaccharide
backbones.
• Adhesion Protein are adhesive fibrous
glycoproteins that bind to both cells and other
matrix macromolecules.
• These are present in the extracellular matrix and
help the cells attach to it. the extracellular
matrix’s best-characterized large adhesive
glycoproteins are,
1. Fibronectins
2. Lamina
Function of ECM
• The ECM controls intercellular adhesion and communication as well as a mechanical
support for the tissue’s cells.
• The ECM is vitally important and highly dynamic, according to a recent study. It decides
and regulates crucial cell behaviors and traits such as division, adhesion, migration,
polarity, differentiation, and apoptosis.
• The extracellular matrix is important for processes including growth, wound healing,
and fibrosis.
• Important effects on cell motility, gene expression, and differentiation are caused by
the ECM’s stiffness and elasticity.
• The ECM’s strong collagen fibers primarily provide mechanical support for tissues.
Furthermore, a proteoglycan’s carbohydrate chains are excellent at absorbing water,
and the amount of water varies depending on the tissue, giving the matrix a hydrated
gel consistency. Because of its gel-like consistency, the ECM also helps to withstand
compressive stresses.