Cadherin-26 (CDH26) regulates airway epithelial cell cytoskeletal structure and polarity.

ABSTRACT: Polarization of the airway epithelial cells (AECs) in the airway lumen is critical to the proper function of the mucociliary escalator and maintenance of lung health, but the cellular requirements for polarization of AECs are poorly understood. Using human AECs and cell lines, we demonstrate that cadherin-26 (CDH26) is abundantly expressed in differentiated AECs, localizes to the cell apices near ciliary membranes, and has functional cadherin domains with homotypic binding. We find a unique and non-redundant role for CDH26, previously uncharacterized in AECs, in regulation of cell-cell contact and cell integrity through maintaining cytoskeletal structures. Overexpression of CDH26 in cells with a fibroblastoid phenotype increases contact inhibition and promotes monolayer formation and corti

SUBMITTER: Lachowicz-Scroggins ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5809386 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature