Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process (EMT)

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is a dynamic biological process where epithelial cells lose their polarity and cell-cell adhesion properties, acquiring migratory and invasive characteristics typical of mesenchymal cells. This transformation is orchestrated by key transcription factors such as Snail, Slug, Twist, ZEB1/2—which repress epithelial markers like E-cadherin while activating mesenchymal markers including vimentin and fibronectin. EMT plays essential roles in embryonic development (Type 1), tissue regeneration/wound healing/fibrosis (Type 2), and cancer progression/metastasis/chemoresistance (Type 3). The process is regulated by signaling pathways involving TGF-beta, FGF, Wnt/beta-catenin among others. While it is not itself a molecular target such as an enzyme or receptor but rather a complex program involving many molecules—therapeutic strategies often aim to modulate the activity of its key regulators to prevent pathological outcomes like tumor metastasis or organ fibrosis[1][2][5][7].

Other names

Epithelial–mesenchymal transitionEMTEpithelial to mesenchymal transition