Adhesiveness of the apical surface of uterine epithelial cells: the role of junctional complex integrity

• Published in: European journal of cell biology Vol. 70; no. 3; p. 221
• Main Authors: Thie, M, Fuchs, P, Butz, S, Sieckmann, F, Hoschützky, H, Kemler, R, Denker, H W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.07.1996
• Subjects: Actins - analysis; Blotting, Western; Carcinoma, Endometrioid; Cell Adhesion - physiology; Cell Adhesion Molecules - analysis; Cell Polarity - physiology; Cytoskeletal Proteins - analysis; Cytoskeletal Proteins - genetics; Cytoskeletal Proteins - ultrastructure; Desmosomes - chemistry; Desmosomes - ultrastructure; Embryo Implantation - physiology; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium - chemistry; Epithelium - ultrastructure; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Phenotype; Tight Junctions - physiology; Tumor Cells, Cultured - chemistry; Tumor Cells, Cultured - cytology; Tumor Cells, Cultured - ultrastructure; Uterus - cytology

Embryo implantation necessitates that the apical plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells acquires adhesiveness. Recent studies have indicated that modulation of a major element of the epithelial phenotype, i.e. apical-basal cell polarity, might be critical in this respect. Here, we analyze polar...