Epithelial mesenchymal transition

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (pronunciation: /ɛpɪˈθiːliəl mɛsənˈkaiməl trænˈsɪʃən/), often abbreviated as EMT, is a biological process that allows a polarized epithelial cell, which normally interacts with the basement membrane via its basal surface, to undergo multiple biochemical changes that enable it to assume a mesenchymal cell phenotype, which includes enhanced migratory capacity, invasiveness, resistance to apoptosis, and greatly increased production of extracellular matrix components.

Etymology

The term "Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition" is derived from the names of the two cell types involved in the process: epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells. The word "transition" refers to the transformation that occurs between these two cell types.

Process

The process of EMT is often triggered by various chemical signals, such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which activate transcription factors that lead to EMT. These transcription factors include Snail, Slug, ZEB1, and ZEB2, which repress E-cadherin, causing the cells to lose their cell-cell adhesion and become more migratory.

Clinical Significance

EMT is essential for numerous developmental processes including mesoderm formation and neural tube formation. EMT has also been implicated in wound healing, and organ fibrosis. In disease, EMT has been recognized as a crucial part of the progression of cancer into an invasive state.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Epithelial mesenchymal transition
Wikipedia's article - Epithelial mesenchymal transition

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