RGD-Dependent Epithelial Cell-Matrix Interactions in the Human Intestinal Crypt
Figure 3
RGD-dependent adhesion influences anoikis sensitivity in undifferentiated epithelial cells. (a) Schematic representation of the proposed mechanism by which integrin α8β1 and RGD-dependent adhesion regulates anoikis sensitivity, through differential interactions between vinculin, paxillin, and FAK in intestinal epithelial crypt cells. As described in Section 3, α8β1 is essential to vinculin recruitment within maturing adhesion structures, while paxillin localization is not affected by α8 subunit silencing. (b) Following α8 subunit silencing, the absence of vinculin, combined with the presence of paxillin in the adhesion complexes, leads to an anchorage-independent activation of FAK and, consequently, anoikis resistance.
