Cell Adhesion Molecules in Fibrotic Diseases.

Mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are critical in fibrotic progression in many organs, including lung, kidney, skin, and liver. CAMs promote cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions to maintain tissue architecture and normal function in homeostasis. However, dysregulated expression and function of CAMs can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis. The major families of CAMs include integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulins. Here, we review the role of the CAMs in fibrosis development across various organs with a focus on integrins and cadherins, and discuss their respective roles in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

组织纤维化发病机制的潜在机制仍未完全明确。新出现的证据表明，细胞黏附分子（CAMs）在许多器官（包括肺、肾、皮肤和肝脏）的纤维化进展中至关重要。CAMs促进细胞 - 细胞和细胞 - 细胞外基质（ECM）相互作用，以在体内平衡中维持组织结构和正常功能。然而，CAMs的表达和功能失调可导致慢性炎症和组织纤维化。CAMs的主要家族包括整合素、钙黏蛋白、选择素和免疫球蛋白。在此，我们综述了CAMs在不同器官纤维化发展中的作用，重点关注整合素和钙黏蛋白，并讨论了它们在肺纤维化发展中的各自作用。