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Cell-to-Matrix Interaction

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The human body might seem like a strange structure. There are a lot of organs & components present in the human body. But those are not the complete background of the human body. There are several tiny elements are present in the body that helps to provide a body structure. There are millions of millions such elements present in each body. All these elements together build the overall structure of the body. Those are known as the Cells. Cells are the microscopic elements are present in the body. Millions of cells altogether define any organ. Cells communicate with each other by signaling process. But there is also another process by which cells can communicate with their surrounding environment. This communication is often termed interaction.

What Is Cell-Matrix Interaction?

Cell-Matrix Interaction

 

Matrix is a jelly-like element present in the cells. Mainly they are situated outside of any cells. Matrix is an element that is present only in the higher class organisms. Mainly, all vertebrates have Matrix in their cell surroundings. They are not in liquid format. Rather, it can be identified as a pulpy-like element. This element helps to make a collaboration of the cells. All the cells in the body are present in a collaborative format. This element is present in between every cell. That is why; the cells can reduce the frictional disturbance in between such cell combinations.

Every cell can interact with each other using the Cell Signaling process. This means, one cell can send necessary signals to other cells for any particular reason. Like, some cells need a particular product for their survival. That product needs to be getting from a neighboring cell. The same interaction process is done between a cell & the matrix around it. Matrix is not only a jelly-like structure. Rather, it is a pool of proteins. Time by time, a cell needs to access the proteins that are inside of the Matrix. Or sometimes, a foreign element needs to be entered into the cell via Matrix. So, at that time, a Cell- Matrix Interaction process will help a lot to manage it.

Properties of Cell-Matrix Interaction

The Cell-Matrix Interaction process has some definite properties. These are the properties that overall describe the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. There might be some categories present in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. But they all need to follow these basic properties of the Cell-Matrix Interaction process.

  • The Cell-Matrix Interaction process determines the shape of any cell. And hence, it leads to a definite shape of the organ.
  • The Cell-Matrix Interaction process helps to define the function of the organ or the cells. Without interacting with the Matrix, the cells will have died.
  • In the Cell-Matrix Interaction process, there is a role for a certain protein. These proteins might be under some categories. But the presence of the protein is inevitable.
  • In the Cell-Matrix Interaction process, some protein structure gets to define. This protein structure helps to provide shape & function to the cell.
  • Using the Cell-Matrix Interaction process, the Matrix can be attached to a cell. This helps to surround a cell by the matrix to reduce the outside damage.

Types of Cell-Matrix Interaction Process

The Cell-Matrix Interaction process can be categorized into two classes. Depending upon the presence of the matrix, the types can be defined. The function & process of Cell-Matrix Interaction will be the same in both cases. But as the matrix is present in some different locations for a cell, so there are two types of Cell-Matrix Interaction process present.

Cell To Extracellular Matrix Interaction

This is a special type of interaction present under the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. This is the most abundant process that can be identified in the human body. Not only the human body but also some other animal has this type of interaction process. This interaction process is highly visualized in the Connective tissues. Also, the Bone & Cartilage cells interact with the extracellular matrix. As connective tissues are present along with the bones, this interaction process can be identified in most of the locations in the body.

An extracellular matrix is one type of matrix positioning. Here, for any cell, the matrix is present around all of it. The matrix is present surrounding the cells. Now, this type of cell with the surrounding matrix makes a total sheet of cells. All the cells are placed very close to each other. In between each of the cells, the matrix is present. That is the reason; it is called an extracellular matrix. In this case, if a cell needs to interact with the neighboring cells, then they have to first interact with the matrix. Then the cell-to-cell interaction will be possible.

Cell To Basal Lamina Interaction

This is another type of interaction process under the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. This is a very hardly noticeable interaction process. Only some tissues & cells provide this kind of interaction process. Mainly Epithelial Cells visualized this type of interaction process. Other than the Epithelial Cells, the Adipose Tissue also has this kind of interaction process. Sometimes, the Peripheral Neurons show up in this interaction process. The presence of the Matrix in this interaction process is completely different. Here, the Matrix is termed Basal Lamina. Because their location is completely different.

In this case, the matrix is not present like the surrounding nature. In this case, the matrix will not be present all around the cell. For understanding the matrix presence, the cell placement needs to be understood. Here, all the cells will be placed one after another. The cell placement happens there following a line. This makes a sheet of cells. Now, the matrix is present in the lower part of the cells. This means, only one cell wall has contact with the matrix. As the matrix is present at the lower level, it is known as the Basal Lamina. All the other parts of the cells have a connection with other cells. That is the reason; the cell-to-cell interaction is very simple in this type of Cell-Matrix Interaction process.

Importance of Cell-Matrix Interaction Process

Cell-Matrix Interaction is a highly important process in the human body. For interaction between different organs, there is a central commanding region present in the human body. That is known as Central Nervous System. But for interacting in between the Cell & Matrix, there is no such commanding region present. Also, there is no common thread present between them. So, Cell-Matrix Interaction is the only process to communicate among them. Sometimes, there is a need for a specific protein that is only present in the Matrix. So, using the Cell-Matrix Interaction process, a cell can get that protein in exchange for any other material. Also, in some cases, the Cell-Matrix Interaction process is the key method to start the cell-to-cell interaction process. In absence of this process, a cell will not get the necessary elements from the matrix. And hence, the cells will become inactive. That will be dangerous for the body.

Difference between Cell-to-Matrix Interaction & Cell-to-Cell Interaction:

Cell-To-Matrix Interaction Cell-To-Cell Interaction
In the Cell-To-Matrix Interaction process, a cell interacts with the extracellular matrix or with the basal lamina. This is an interactive process between a cell & a liquid-like matrix. In the Cell-To-Cell Interaction process, a cell can only able to interact with another cell. That cell might be located close to it or might be it is a far most cell.
The Cell-To-Matrix Interaction process can be visualized in any cell of the body. Every individual cell needs to do the Cell-To-Matrix Interaction process. The Cell-To-Cell Interaction process is not mandatory for all cells. This is the process that can be found only in a special set of cells.
In the Cell-To-Matrix Interaction process, there are some intermediate bridges are found between a cell & matrix. They are known as Adhesions. In the Cell-To-Cell Interaction process, there are some intermediate bridges are found between two cells. They are known as the Junctions.
The Cell-To-Matrix Interaction process is used for every type of communication. This is the communication process with the environment. The Cell-To-Cell Interaction process is done when there is a special need. This is a process that is not done frequently.
The Cell-To-Matrix Interaction process is often used to produce some more matrices for environment communication. The Cell-To-Cell Interaction process is not used to produce any other cell in the body to maintain the communication process.

Also Read: Cell-to-Cell Interaction

Example of Cell-Matrix Interaction Process

Focal Adhesion

Focal Adhesion is a structural example of the Cell-Matrix interaction process. This is an example of the interaction between the cell & the extracellular matrix. The Focal Adhesion acts as the macromolecular pathway to exchange the proteins between the cell & the extracellular matrix (ECM). Focal Adhesion not only helps in the exchange of proteins but also helps in the cell signaling process. The Focal Adhesion is used as the mechanical gate between the cell & the ECM. Focal Adhesion is considered a large complex. This is also considered dynamic.

These are the protein complexes by which the cell cytoskeleton interacts with the extracellular matrix outside of the cell. Focal Adhesion has a specific limit to interact with the ECM. After the cell layer, the Focal Adhesion allows it to interact within the 15nm. Focal Adhesion is a complex structure with different hundreds of proteins. This is the reason; that Focal Adhesion can be involved in several other interacting functions with the matrix around the cell.

Hemidesmosomes

Hemidesmosomes are another type of structural example of the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. This is the structural example that is found in both of the types of the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. This means the Hemidesmosomes are needed while interacting with the Extracellular Matrix & the Basal Lamina. The Hemidesmosomes are present in the cartilage along with in epithelial cells. The Hemidesmosomes have similarities with the Desmosomes & with the Focal Adhesion. As Focal Adhesion is needed for the interaction with the Extracellular Matrix.

Hemidesmosomes are very small than Focal Adhesion. This structure is present in the epidermis of the skin that helps to attach to the Extracellular matrix. The Hemidesmosomes use Integrins. The Integrins are the receptors that not only help in cell to cell interaction process. But this also helps in the cell-to-matrix interaction process. Hemidesmosomes are also used in the cell signaling procedure. This is also used for the exchange of the protein between the cell & matrix.

FAQs on Cell-Matrix Interaction Process

Question 1: What is the Cell-Matrix Interaction process?

Answer:

The Cell-Matrix Interaction process helps to interact with a cell with its surrounding matrix. This interaction is needed for the exchange of the proteins & necessary items between the cell & the matrix around the cell. Sometimes, the Cell-Matrix Interaction process helps in the cell-to-cell interaction process.

Question 2: What are two types of the matrix is being considered in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process?

Answer:

Two types of matrix are identified in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. In one case, a matrix is present all around the cell. This matrix is known as Extracellular Matrix. And in another case, a matrix only helps connected with one wall of the cell. They are not placed in the surrounding of the cell. This is known as the Basal Lamina.

Question 3: What are the proteins that are involved in the structural support in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process?

Answer:

The Collagen & Elastin proteins are involved in the structural support of the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. The Collagen protein helps to provide strength & the Elastin protein helps to provide the necessary shape of the cell.

Question 4: What are the proteins that are involved in the matrix adhesion in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process?

Answer:

The Fibronectin & Laminin proteins are involved in the matrix adhesion in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. All of these proteins help to bind the surrounding matrix with the cell layer for the interaction process.

Question 5: Name the structural example that helps in any of the types of interaction in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process.

Answer:

The Hemidesmosomes help in any of the types of interaction in the Cell-Matrix Interaction process. The Hemidesmosomes can interact with the Extracellular matrix as well as with the Basal Lamina.



Last Updated : 12 Jan, 2024
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