Multiple cell types via membrane adhesion, endocytosis, and vesicle fusion

The phrase Multiple cell types via membrane adhesion, endocytosis, and vesicle fusion refers to a complex sequence of biological events rather than a single molecular target. This pathway begins with membrane adhesion, where ligands or pathogens bind to cell surface receptors or lipids; it proceeds through endocytosis, where the cell membrane invaginates to internalise the bound entity into vesicles (Alberts et al., 2002). The process concludes with vesicle fusion, often mediated by SNARE proteins, which allows the internalised material to bypass the lipid bilayer and enter the cytosol or specific organelles (Jahn & Scheller, 2006). In pharmacology, this entire sequence is frequently described as the mechanism of action for advanced delivery systems, such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used in mRNA vaccines or viral vectors used in gene therapy (Khalil et al., 2006). Because these processes involve a vast array of distinct proteins—including integrins, clathrin, dynamin, and various fusion proteins—and occur ubiquitously across many tissues, the term is considered a descriptive mechanism of cellular entry rather than a discrete, druggable therapeutic target.

Other names

Cellular entry pathwayEndocytic uptake mechanismMembrane-mediated internalisation

This is a multi-step physiological process involving the attachment of an agent to the cell surface, its engulfment by the plasma membrane, and the subsequent fusion of membranes to release cargo into the cytoplasm.