Sun Zhe, Parrish Alan R, Hill Michael A, Meininger Gerald A
Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Microcirculation. 2014 Apr;21(3):208-18. doi: 10.1111/micc.12123.
Cell-cell adhesion complexes are increasingly recognized as an important cell-signaling site, similar to integrin-extracellular matrix FA. Furthermore, cell-cell adhesions are involved in the regulation of multi-cellular/tissue organization and organ, tissue, and cellular level functional behavior. Although N-cadherin is the major cell-cell adhesion molecule in VSM, only limited studies have been undertaken to understand its function in VSM. In contrast, N-cadherin signaling and functions have been extensively studied in neurons, fibroblasts, and myocytes, as well as in the context of epithelial-mesenchymal-transitions. Increasing evidence has indicated that N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions are important for tissue integrity and cell proliferation. Relevant to VSM, N-cadherin's role in actin cytoskeleton organization and contraction, as well as its role in regulation of Rho family GTPases are of particular interest. This article briefly reviews the fundamentals of N-cadherin biology that help shape our current understanding of its function and signaling mechanisms. In particular, attention is given to applications of this knowledge to VSM. The review points to the need for more research effort that is directed at understanding the role of N-cadherins in the regulation of vascular function.
细胞间黏附复合体越来越被认为是一个重要的细胞信号传导位点，类似于整合素-细胞外基质黏着斑。此外，细胞间黏附参与多细胞/组织组织以及器官、组织和细胞水平功能行为的调节。尽管N-钙黏蛋白是血管平滑肌中主要的细胞间黏附分子，但仅有有限的研究致力于了解其在血管平滑肌中的功能。相比之下，N-钙黏蛋白的信号传导和功能已在神经元、成纤维细胞和心肌细胞中以及上皮-间质转化的背景下得到广泛研究。越来越多的证据表明，N-钙黏蛋白介导的细胞间黏附对于组织完整性和细胞增殖很重要。与血管平滑肌相关的是，N-钙黏蛋白在肌动蛋白细胞骨架组织和收缩中的作用，以及其在Rho家族小GTP酶调节中的作用尤其令人关注。本文简要回顾了N-钙黏蛋白生物学的基本原理，这些原理有助于形成我们目前对其功能和信号传导机制的理解。特别是，本文关注了这些知识在血管平滑肌中的应用。该综述指出，需要更多的研究工作来理解N-钙黏蛋白在血管功能调节中的作用。
