The “glue” holding your cells together has a surprising second job
Scientists found that E-cadherin, a protein that holds cells together, also helps cells swallow dead cells. This process keeps protective barriers intact while removing debris. The discovery could help understand chronic inflammation and how tissues clean up after cell death.
Researchers discovered that E-cadherin, known for connecting cells, also helps epithelial cells engulf dead cells without breaking the protective barrier. They observed this in zebrafish and mouse embryos.
Understanding how cells clean up dead material could lead to better treatments for inflammation and diseases linked to faulty cell removal processes.
The finding shows how the body's systems work together efficiently, offering insight into natural processes that maintain health and structure.
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