Endothelial Cell-Cell Junction
Cell-cell junction are importance in cells for the transfer of important biological and biochemical substances between surrounding cells. It enables cells to form attachment among each other and in the process aid cell-cell communication. This communication in the form of intracelluar signalling controls the activities of cells such as apoptosis, cell growth and gene expression (Elisabetta, 2004)[1]. Cell-cell junction occurs in mosteukaryotic tissues such as in epithelial and endothelial cells. Cell junction of the endothelial tissues functions in the regulation of the passage of cellular substances such as blood proteins into blood vessels
Types of Endothelial cell Junctions:
As with epithelial cell junction, endothelial cell junction are also classified based on their structure and role into four main types. However, desmosomes present in epithelial cells are absent in endothelial cells except cells of the lymphatic systems; having desmosome-like structures (Elisabetta, 2004)[2]. According to Elisabetta et al, (1995)[3] endothelial cells are therefore, classified into
1. Tight Junction (also known as Zonnula Occludens)
4. Syndesmos.
More notes on cell Junction could be found at
1. The Cell: JUNCTIONAL SPECIALISATION
2. Cronodon Website: CELL-CELL JUNCTION
3. Cell Press: ADHERENCE JUNCTIONS
4. National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): CELL JUNCTIONS
References
- ↑ Elisabetta, D. (2004)"Endothelial Cell–Cell Junctions: Happy Together". Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology. Vol 5, April, 261-270.
- ↑ Elisabetta, D. (2004)"Endothelial Cell–Cell Junctions: Happy Together". Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology. Vol 5, April, 261-270.
- ↑ Elisabetta, D., Monica, C., and Maria, G.L., (1995) "Endothelial Cell-to-Cell Junctions". The FASEB Journal. Vol. 9, No. 10, July, 910-918.