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Review
. 2019 Feb 19;20(4):891.
doi: 10.3390/ijms20040891.

New Insights into the Role of Epithelial⁻Mesenchymal Transition during Aging

Francisco Santos  1 , Cristiana Moreira  2 , Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira  3   4 , Bruno Bernardes de Jesus  5
Affiliations
Review

New Insights into the Role of Epithelial⁻Mesenchymal Transition during Aging

Francisco Santos et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Epithelial⁻mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process by which differentiated epithelial cells undergo a phenotypic conversion to a mesenchymal nature. The EMT has been increasingly recognized as an essential process for tissue fibrogenesis during disease and normal aging. Higher levels of EMT proteins in aged tissues support the involvement of EMT as a possible cause and/or consequence of the aging process. Here, we will highlight the existing understanding of EMT supporting the phenotypical alterations that occur during normal aging or pathogenesis, covering the impact of EMT deregulation in tissue homeostasis and stem cell function.

Keywords: EMT; aging; cellular reprogramming; epithelial–mesenchymal transition; fibrosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in aging. Pro-EMT signals (eg. transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and transcription factor ZEB2) and senescent fibroblasts with a senescent-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) accumulate in aged tissues, which are responsible for the induction of EMT. Epithelial cells lose their cell–cell junctions and apical-basal polarity. Cells begin to express N-cadherin, acquire front-rear polarity and gain motility, thus transdifferentiating into mesenchymal cells, such as fibroblasts. Fibroblasts produce extracellular matrix (ECM) components and are the main cellular mediators of fibrosis. When these cells accumulate (e.g., due to EMT), excessive fibrotic tissue is formed, affecting the function of vital organs. This figure was produced using Servier Medical Art.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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