Unraveling the Oncogenic Characteristics of the Cytolinker, Plectin, in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Tissue mechanics involved in carcinogenesis by regulating cell morphology and structure, cell-cell, and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions are not fully understood. Plectin, a cytolinker and a critical component of the cell-ECM adhesion complex hemidesmosome (HD), plays an important role in the regulation of epithelial tissue mechanics, but its functions in carcinogenesis remain elusive.

Methods

We used cellular and molecular methods and multiple systems, including a 2-dimensional (2-D) esophageal keratinocyte Ca²⁺-dependent differentiation system, a 3-dimensional (3-D) esophageal keratinocyte organoid system, and tissue samples of normal rat and human esophageal stratified squamous epithelium (SSE), N-nitroso-N-methylbenzylamine (NMBzA

SUBMITTER: Qiao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12276451 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature