Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: The Primary Driver of Tumour Metastasis

What is the name of the process by which cancer cells break off of tumors and spread to other parts of the body?

48) All epithelia have two surfaces, an apical surface and a basal surface, that differ in both structure and function. TRUE

Epithelial are the lining of internal and external surfaces and body cavities, including tubes/channels (ducts) carrying secretions from glands. Epithelial tissues can be made of several layers of cells (called compound epithelia), or a single layer known as simple epithelia. The lowest layer of cells is attached to the basement membrane for support and connection. Part of the basement

It allows for stretching. Transitional epithelium contains cells that are flattened and cells that are cuboidal; hence the name "transitional". You can find transitional epithelium in the bladder and in the first expansion of the ureters as they leave the kidneys (called a calyx).

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process that is essential for normal processes in many organisms, including embryonic development and wound healing, and is recapitulated in human disease, contributing to organ fibrosis and cancer progression (Thiery et al. 2009; Yang and Weinberg 2008). EMT describes the conversion of a cell with an epithelial phenotype to one with mesenchymal characteristics and can be a partial or complete transformation. Epithelial cells form the borders of tissues and organs, and are characterized by apical-basal polarity, contact with a basement membrane, and strong adherence to other epithelial cells through intercellular junctions including adherens junctions, tight junctions, and desmosomes. Conversely, mesenchymal cells have front-rear polarity and generally lack cell-cell contact, allowing them to be motile. During human embryonic development, EMT is essential for the formation of a variety of tissues, including mesoderm, neural crest, somites, palate, pancreas, liver, reproductive tracts, and heart valves (Thiery et al. 2009; Yang and Weinberg 2008). After development, partial EMT also contributes to wound healing (Thiery et al. 2009). However, EMT can also play a more insidious role by factoring into tumour progression.

Transitional epithelium is also composed of several layers but is constructive of pear shaped cells instead. This type of tissue is stretchy, meaning it can contract and expand. It is usually found lining the urinary bladder as it allows for stretching as the bladder fills up.

The stroma is a connective tissue of an organ, gland, or other structure. Mesenchymal stem cells, also known as stromal cells, are stem cells isolated from the stroma. They are discovered in bone marrow, and are capable of making bone, cartilage and fat cells. 4. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The highly regulated process of epidermal keratinization is the result of differential expression of within the epidermis. Basal keratinocytes express intermediate filament keratins 5 and 14. Suprabasal keratinocytes express keratins 1 and 10, which comprises approximately 85% of total proteins found in fully differentiated keratinocytes. Types I & II intermediate filaments (keratins) (Figure 3) are composed of three domains: (1) a central alpha-helical rod domain, (2) an amino-terminal head, and (3) a carboxyl-terminal tail domain both the head and tail globular domains contain end, variable, and homologous subdomains. The central α-helical domain is approximately 330 amino acids long and is divided into four subdomains (1A, 1B, 2A, and

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are abundant in various tissues such as umbilical cord, adipose tissue, bone marrow and the liver. Previous research has demonstrated that the intradermal injection of umbilical cord-derived MSCs do not trigger an allergic reaction and hence the limited capacity of UCMSCs. In another study by Mao et al., the intramuscular injection of hUCMSCs did not cause inflammation, effusion or ulceration at the points of injection (7). Moreover, the injection in rats did not alter the heart, kidney and liver function. The results from these studies portray intramuscular injection of hUCMSCs as a possible administration

Epithelial tissue covers body surfaces and lines body cavities. The three main kinds of Epithelial tissue are squamous which is composed of flat cells, cuboidal, which is composed of cube-shaped cells, and columnar which is composed of stretched, pillar-like cells. Each type of epithelial tissue can be either simple or stratified. Simple is one layer of cells, while stratified has more than one layer. Each type can also be glandular. Glands can be either one epithelial cell or multiple cells. Its purpose is to secrete products into different parts of the body or outside of the body. Exocrine glands secrete their products into ducts or directly into a tube/cavity. Endocrine glands secrete their products directly into the bloodstream. Examples of epithelial tissue are the linings of lungs, kidneys, small intestine, and the nose. A common trait that all epithelial tissue have is that they are attached to the basement membrane, a thin layer of proteins that anchors to connective

The epithelium of the skin is keratinized stratified squamous epithelium; the stratum basale (the bottom layer) is responsible for constantly making new cells, so when the top layer gets damaged or injured there are still several layers underneath it, these layers can replace the old ones easily. Having a single layer of columnar cells on the skin will not be an advantage because those layers don’t have protection and once those layers are injured there is nothing to replace them. Therefore the advantage of having squamous epithelium is mainly, protection and

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide as it can develop in almost any organ or tissue. Significant advances in understanding the cellular basis of cancer and the underlying biological mechanisms of tumour has been vastly improved in the recent years (Jiang et al. 1994). Cancer is a genetic disease which requires a series of mutation during mitosis to develop, its characteristics can be associated with their ability to grow and divide abnormal cells uncontrollable while in the mean time invade and cause nearby blood vessels to serve its need. Even though many people are affected by cancer today, the abilities which cancer cells have make it hard to find a single effective treatment for cancer. The focus of research now lies

An epithelial – myoepithelial tumor is an extremely rare pulmonary neoplasm. Usually these tumors occur in the salivary glands and represents approximately 1% of the primary tumors arising from them (1). Tracheobronchial submucous glands are considered equivalent to the minor salivary glands and salivary gland like tumors can arise from these glands very rarely. Of these, epithelial – myoepithelial tumors are extremely rare and usually have a benign course after surgical resection. Usually the clinical symptoms start early as most are endobronchial with only a single reported parenchymal lesion to date (2). Here, we report a case of a large unresectable pulmonary epithelial – myoepithelial tumor occupying upper right hemithorax with broad base

The first difference in malignant and benign tumors is how they invade cell tissue. Malignant tumors in general, have a tendency to penetrate tissues, whereas benign tumors don’t though they can add pressure to organs resulting in organ damage1. A simplified

These barrier-forming cells are called "endothelial cells". You can think of "endothelial" as a synonym for "lining" or even just "barrier".