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Review
. 2009 Jun;119(6):1417-9.
doi: 10.1172/JCI39675.

EMT: when epithelial cells decide to become mesenchymal-like cells

Raghu Kalluri  1
Affiliations
Review

EMT: when epithelial cells decide to become mesenchymal-like cells

Raghu Kalluri. J Clin Invest. 2009 Jun.

Abstract

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for appropriate embryonic development, and this process is re-engaged in adults during wound healing, tissue regeneration, organ fibrosis, and cancer progression. Inflammation is a crucial conspirator in the emergence of EMT in adults but is absent during embryonic development. As highlighted in this Review series, EMT is now a recognized mechanism for dispersing cells in embryos, forming fibroblasts/mesenchymal cells in injured tissues, and initiating metastasis of epithelial cancer cells. Also discussed are proposals to classify EMT into three subtypes, each of which has different functional consequences.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. EMT and MET in health and disease.
The evidence for EMT is compelling in embryonic development, organ formation, wound healing, tissue regeneration, organ fibrosis, cancer progression, and metastasis. The role for MET in wound healing, tissue regeneration, organ fibrosis, cancer progression, and metastasis is only speculated and rigorous evidence is still lacking.
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