Cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts in melanoma and the tumor microenvironment

摘要: Cell-contacts are essential for intercellular communication and involved in proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis. Melanocytes establish multiple contacts with keratinocytes, which turn control melanocyte growth expression of cell surface receptors. Most melanomas arise within the epidermis (melanoma situ) then invade across basement membrane. These melanoma cells escape from by keratinocytes through five major mechanisms: (1) down-regulation receptors important such as E-cadherin, P-cadherin, desmoglein, connexins; (2) up-regulation signaling molecules interactions between other cells, fibroblasts, or endothelial N-cadherin, Mel-CAM, zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1); (3) de-regulation morphogens Notch their ligands; (4) loss anchorage to membrane due altered cell–matrix adhesion molecules; (5) increased metalloproteinases.