Adhesion in the stem cell niche: biological roles and regulation

Abstract

Stem cell self-renewal is tightly controlled by the concerted action of stem cell-intrinsic factors and signals within the niche. Niche signals often function within a short range, allowing cells in the niche to self-renew while their daughters outside the niche differentiate. Thus, in order for stem cells to continuously self-renew, they are often anchored in the niche via adhesion molecules. In addition to niche anchoring, however, recent studies have revealed other important roles for adhesion molecules in the regulation of stem cell function, and it is clear that stem cell-niche adhesion is crucial for stem cell self-renewal and is dynamically regulated. Here, we highlight recent progress in understanding adhesion between stem cells and their niche and how this adhesion is regulated.

Putative mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adult human ovaries

“…It works as a cell adhesion molecule and is involved in immunological processes as well as in tumor growth and metastasis [65,66]. The gene ITGAV (also known as CD51) encodes the molecule (integrin αv), which is involved in cell adhesion and is important for controlling the stem cell niche [67]. Other differentially expressed genes are mostly involved in the differentiation processes, which indicate the presence of a heterogeneous population of cells, as previously discussed.…”

Kruppel-like Factor-9 (KLF9) Inhibits Glioblastoma Stemness through Global Transcription Repression and Integrin α6 Inhibition

“…Integrin signaling modulates various cellular processes, such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation, through cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions (59). Integrins, a family of cell adhesion receptors, are up-regulated in stem cells and are believed to support cell stemness by mediating adhesive interactions between stem cells and their niches (60). Integrin ␣6, a subunit for two laminin receptors, is also highly expressed in several types of stem cells, including subventricular neural stem cells (61,62), and facilitates neural stem cell adherence to endothelial cells in the perivascular niche (62).…”

A combination of biomolecules enhances expression of E-cadherin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gene leading to increased cell proliferation in primary human meniscal cells: an in vitro study

“…dependent cell-cell adhesion and cell signaling (Maitre and Heisenberg 2013). E-cadherin functions as a regulator of cell adhesion and selfrenewal (Chen et al 2013). PPARD is a regulator of lipid and glucose energy metabolism in adipose and muscular tissues, and stimulates Wnt signaling pathway in mesenchymal stem cells (Niehrs 2012;Scholtysek et al 2013).…”