Martin Tracey A, Jiang Wen G
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 Apr;1788(4):872-91. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.11.005. Epub 2008 Nov 14.
As the most apical structure between epithelial and endothelial cells, tight junctions (TJ) are well known as functioning as a control for the paracellular diffusion of ions and certain molecules. It has however, become increasingly apparent that the TJ has a vital role in maintaining cell to cell integrity and that the loss of cohesion of the structure can lead to invasion and thus metastasis of cancer cells. This article will present data showing how modulation of expression of TJ molecules results in key changes in TJ barrier function leading to the successful metastasis of a number of different cancer types.
作为上皮细胞和内皮细胞之间最顶端的结构，紧密连接（TJ）作为离子和某些分子细胞旁扩散的控制机制而广为人知。然而，越来越明显的是，紧密连接在维持细胞间完整性方面起着至关重要的作用，并且该结构凝聚力的丧失会导致癌细胞的侵袭进而转移。本文将展示数据，说明紧密连接分子表达的调节如何导致紧密连接屏障功能的关键变化，从而导致多种不同类型癌症的成功转移。
