Epithelial Cell Interactions Methods in Signal Transduction Series

Epithelial cells are unique; they differentiate, have polarity, maintain cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions etc. Methods to isolate, culture and study epithelial cells are also different. Similarly, the signaling mechanisms regulating epithelial cells are different which includes protein targeting, vesicle trafficking, cytoskeletal protein distribution and function. This volume will describe a variety of methodologies employed for the study of epithelial cells. These methods include isolating primary cells and generate and maintain organoid cultures; culturing intestinal and renal epithelial cell lines; characterizing epithelial cell polarity and differentiation; and others.

Cell Differentiation. Cell Polarity. Organoid cultures. Cell-Cell Interactions: Adheren junctions, Tight junctions, Desmosomes, gap junctions. Cell-matrix Interactions: Integrins, hemidesmosomes, extracellular matrix, cell attachment, cell spread. Tumor-Stromal interactions. Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition. Ion transporters and Ion Channels. Cytoskeletal changes in epithelial cells: trafficking, anchoring. Cell Signaling: including Cell Death Regulation.