Mechanosensitive adhesion complexes in epithelial architecture and cancer onset

Abstract

Mechanical signals from the extracellular space are paramount to coordinate tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. Although there is a wide variety of cellular mechanisms involved in transducing extracellular forces, recent literature emphasizes the central role of two main adhesion complexes in epithelial mechanosensitive processes: focal adhesions and adherens junctions. These biomechanical sensors can decode physical signals such as matrix stiffness or intercellular tension into a wide range of coordinated cellular responses, which can impact cell differentiation, migration, and proliferation. Communication between cells and their microenvironment plays a pivotal role both in physiological and pathological conditions. Here we summarize the most recent findings on the biology of these mechanotransduction pathways in epithelial cells, highlighting the extensive amount of biological processes coordinated by cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion complexes.