About this Research Topic
Adhesion molecules play a major role in cell-to-cell or cell-to-matrix interactions. They are therefore an important determinant of the organized growth and the maintenance of architectural integrity of tissues and organs. In short, embryogenesis, would healing, and immune responses are all mediated by adhesion molecules. Accordingly, altered expression of adhesion molecules results in the development and progression of diseases and disorders such as congenital diseases, inflammatory and degenerative diseases, neurological diseases, and neoplasms. Although we know yet little about very precise mechanisms as to how these alterations occur, there have been several working hypotheses proposed such as epigenetic regulation, transcriptional upregulation and repression, chemical modifications of specific amino acid residues, enzymatic cleavage by membrane-bound proteases, etc. This particular topic aims at sharing cutting-edge information regarding the adhesion molecule-mediated pathogenic mechanisms. We welcome any original articles as well as review articles that fall into this scientific field.
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