Mechanisms of intercellular adhesion

Abstract

Investigations into cellular adhesion, both of a biochemical and biophysical nature, have not yet produced an established theory or widely accepted hypothesis to explain the mechanics of this fundamental biological process although much information concerning the structure and function of the mammalian cell surface has been gained. At the present time there is increasing evidence to suggest that cellular adhesion is mediated by specific cell surface macromolecules which are capable of forming protein-carbohydrate complexes possibly resembling those found between plant lectins and their carbohydrate substrates.