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Targeting focal adhesions:Helicobacter pylori-host communication in cell migration

Sabine Schneider email, Christiane Weydig email and Silja Wessler email

Junior Research Group, Paul-Ehrlich Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany

author email corresponding author email

Cell Communication and Signaling 2008, 6:2doi:10.1186/1478-811X-6-2

Published: 6 August 2008

Abstract

Highly dynamic integrin-based focal adhesions provide an important structural basis for anchoring the cellular actin cytoskeleton to the surrounding extracellular matrix. The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) directly targets integrins with drastic consequences on the epithelial cell morphology and migration, which might contribute to the disruption of the gastric epithelium in vivo. In this review, we summarize the recent findings concerning the complex mechanism through which H. pylori interferes with host integrin signaling thereby deregulating focal adhesions and the actin cytoskeleton of motile epithelial cells.


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