Review
Targeting focal adhesions:Helicobacter pylori-host communication in cell migration
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* Corresponding author: Silja Wessler wessi@pei.de
Junior Research Group, Paul-Ehrlich Institut, D-63225 Langen, Germany
Cell Communication and Signaling 2008, 6:2 doi:10.1186/1478-811X-6-2
Published: 6 August 2008Abstract
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.