Lesson 5: Interactions

Between Cells and

their Environment
By: Ma’am Pioquid
 Learning Outcomes

 discussed the interactions of cells with the extracellular

materials;
 Organized cell-cell interactions;
 Distinguished the role of each cells, substances, and
junctions in cellular interactions;
 Evaluated the importance or relevance of cellular
interactions to inflammation and metastasis; and
 Designed a project-based learning approach in creating a
prototype of cellular interaction.
Topics

1. Extracellular Interactions
2. Interactions of Cells with Extracellular Materials
3. Interactions of Cells with Other Cells
4. Tight Junctions: Sealing the Extracellular Space
5. Intercellular Communication
6. Cell Walls
Extracellular Interactions
 Extracellular matrix
 The extracellular matrix is a meshwork of
proteins and carbohydrates that binds
cells together or divides one tissue from
another. The extracellular matrix is the
product principally of connective tissue ,
but may also be produced by other cell
types
 In the connective tissue, matrix is secreted
into the space surrounding them, where it
serves to bind cells together.
 The extracellular matrix forms the basal
lamina, a complex sheet of extracellular
matrix molecules that separates different
tissue types, such as binding the epithelial
tissue of the outer layer of skin to the
underlying dermis, which is connective
tissue.
 Cartilage is a connective tissue type that
is principally composed of matrix, with
relatively few cells.
 ECM..
 Collagens are the principal proteins of the
extracellular matrix. They are structural proteins that
provide tissues with strength and flexibility, and serve
other essential roles as well. They are the most
abundant proteins found in many vertebrates. There
are at least nineteen collagen family members
whose subunits, termed α chains, are encoded by at
least twenty-five genes .
 The primary protein sequence of all collagen subunits
contains repeating sequences of three amino acids ,
the first being glycine with the second and third
being any amino acid residue (sometimes referred to
as a GLY–X–Y motif).
ECM…
 Proteoglycans –
consist of a protein-
core molecule in
which
glycosaminoglycans
are covalently
attached
ECM…
 Fibronectin – consists
of a linear array of
distinct “building
blocks” that gives
each polypeptide a
modular
construction
 Animal cell surface

 Extracellular matrix
› collagen fibers in network of glycoproteins
 support
 adhesion
 movement
 regulation

AP Biology 2005-2006
Interactions of Cells with Extracellular
Materials
 Integrins
are the principal receptors used by
animal cells to bind to the extracellular
matrix (ECM). These receptors are
heterodimers and function as
transmembrane linkers between the
ECM and the actin cytoskeleton.

Cells can regulate the adhesive

activity of their integrins from within.
Integrins bind cells to ECM proteins and
play a crucial role in signal
transduction, affecting cell migration,
proliferation, and survival.
 Selectins
 a family of
carbohydrate-binding
transmembrane
molecules found on the
surface of endothelial
cells, leukocytes and
platelets
 required for the
trafficking of innate
immune system cells
 Cell Adhesion Molecules
(CAMs)/ Cadherins
a group of proteins that help
cells stick together and are key
components of certain types of
junctions between cells. These
connections are essential for
defining how a cell integrates into
structures, such as a layer of skin
or an organ.

Cadherins mediate calcium-

dependent cell-cell adhesion,
which is crucial for tissue integrity
and development.
 Ig Superfamily

The immunoglobulin superfamily

(IgSF) is a class of proteins that
are associated with the adhesion,
binding and recognition processes
of cells
 Interactions of Cells with Other Cells

 Selective
 Cell-cell recognition and adhesion
 Interactions of Cells with Other Cells…

 Selectins
 IgSF
 Integrin
 cadherins
APPLY: The Role of Cell
Adhesion in Inflammation and
Metastasis
Tight Junctions: Sealing the
Extracellular Space
  they are the connections
Tight Junction that form when cells are
squished up against one
another. In this case, the
cell membranes are
connected, but the contents
of each cell are not
connected in any way.
There are no tubes here,
but there is an impermeable
layer in between the cells.
These types of cell
connections are useful in
places that need to contain
certain fluids, like in the
bladder, the intestines or
the kidneys.
Gap Junctions and Plasmodesmata:
Mediating Intercellular
Communication
Gap Junctions  tubes that join two cells
together. These tubes
create a connection that
allows for the transport of
water and ions to and
from the connecting cells.
The tubes also help to
spread electrochemical
signals that are produced
by action potentials that
occur in the nervous
system (neurons) and in
cardiac cells that make
your heart beat.
 Intercellular junctions

 Plant cells
› plasmodesmata
 channels allowing cytosol
to pass between cells

plasmodesmata

AP Biology 2005-2006
 Plant cell wall
 Structure
› cellulose
› primary cell wall
› secondary cell wall
› middle lamella = sticky polysaccharides

AP Biology 2005-2006
 Cell junctions
 There are many different ways that cells can
connect to each other. The three main ways
for cells to connect with each other are: gap
junctions, tight junctions, and desmosomes.
These types of junctions have different
purposes, and are found in different places.
 Cell Junctions
 Where cells touch each
other…

AP Biology 2005-2006
  cell membranes are connected by
Desmosomes thread like substances that
connect the cells across the space
in between cells. Much like tight
junctions, desmosomes physically
hold the cells together, but do not
allow fluids or materials to pass
from the inside of one cell to the
next. These connections are also
attached to the scaffolding of the
cell, called the cytoskeleton, to
help with structural support. The
space in between the cells allows
for water and solutes to flow
freely between each cell without
compromising the connection.
This is convenient for areas of our
body that experience high stress
like in our skin or our intestines
because the space in between the
cells offer flexibility that the
other junctions can’t.
 Intercellular junctions in animals

AP Biology 2005-2006
 Intercellular junctions
 Animal cells
› tight junctions
 membranes of adjacent cells fused
forming barrier between cells
 forces material through cell membrane
› gap junctions
 communicating junctions
 allow cytoplasmic movement between
adjacent cells
› desmosomes
 anchoring junctions
 fasten cells together in strong sheets
AP Biology 2005-2006
 References

 https://www.khanacademy.org/test-
prep/mcat/cells/cell-cell-
interactions/a/cell-cell-interactions-how-
cells-communicate-with-each-other
 http://www.biologyreference.com/Ep-
Fl/Extracellular-
Matrix.html#ixzz3YaJHuKM6