Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interaction, Adhesion Receptor Signaling

Research Team:  Beitel, Chenn, Gottardi, Green, Jones, Kansas, LaBonne, Lamm, Stack, XZ Wang

Modulation of cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts is a prerequisite for a metastasizing tumor cell to escape the normal tissue confines, acquire a motile phenotype, penetrate connective tissue barriers, and establish metastases. Researchers in this group are examining mechanisms of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, the assembly/disassembly of these adhesive complexes, and how activation of adhesion-induced signaling pathways impacts gene expression and cellular behavior. A major research focus is directed toward understanding mechanisms for normal and aberrant assembly, disassembly, and stabilization of cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions (Beitel, Chenn, Gottardi, Green, Jones, Kansas, Wang). Coordination of cell adhesion with changes in gene expression and elucidation of the contribution of adhesion receptor signaling to tissue-specific metastasis is a second focus of active investigation (Chenn, Gottardi, Green, Jones, LaBonne, Lamm, Stack).

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