Embryonic cell-cell adhesion: A key player in collective neural crest migration

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportChapter in book/Anthology/ReportContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Elias H. Barriga - , University College London (Author)
  • Roberto Mayor - , University College London (Author)

Abstract

Cell migration is essential for morphogenesis, adult tissue remodeling, wound healing, and cancer cell migration. Cells can migrate as individuals or groups. When cells migrate in groups, cell-cell interactions are crucial in order to promote the coordinated behavior, essential for collective migration. Interestingly, recent evidence has shown that cell-cell interactions are also important for establishing and maintaining the directionality of these migratory events. We focus on neural crest cells, as they possess extraordinary migratory capabilities that allow them to migrate and colonize tissues all over the embryo. Neural crest cells undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition at the same time than perform directional collective migration. Cell-cell adhesion has been shown to be an important source of planar cell polarity and cell coordination during collective movement. We also review molecular mechanisms underlying cadherin turnover, showing how the modulation and dynamics of cell-cell adhesions are crucial in order to maintain tissue integrity and collective migration in vivo. We conclude that cell-cell adhesion during embryo development cannot be considered as simple passive resistance to force, but rather participates in signaling events that determine important cell behaviors required for cell migration.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCurrent Topics in Developmental Biology
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages301-323
Number of pages23
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

SeriesCurrent topics in developmental biology
Volume112
ISSN0070-2153

External IDs

PubMed 25733144

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Cadherin, Cell migration, Cell polarity, Cell-cell adhesion, Neural crest