Cited by 72Cell Adhesion Molecules ResearchBarrier Structure and Function StudiesCancer Cells and Metastasis

Junctional Adhesion Molecules in Cancer: A Paradigm for the Diverse Functions of Cell–Cell Interactions in Tumor Progression

Open access
Lauko, Adam, Mu, Zhaomei, Gutmann, David H., Naik, Ulhas P., Lathia, Justin D.·2020·Cancer Research

Abstract

Tight junction (TJ) proteins are essential for mediating interactions between adjacent cells and coordinating cellular and organ responses. Initial investigations into TJ proteins and junctional adhesion molecules (JAM) in cancer suggested a tumor-suppressive role where decreased expression led to increased metastasis. However, recent studies of the JAM family members JAM-A and JAM-C have expanded the roles of these proteins to include protumorigenic functions, including inhibition of apoptosis and promotion of proliferation, cancer stem cell biology, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. JAM function by interacting with other proteins through three distinct molecular mechanisms: direct cell–cell interaction on adjacent cells, stabilization of adjacent cell surface receptors on the same cell, and interactions between JAM and cell surface receptors expressed on adjacent cells. Collectively, these diverse interactions contribute to both the pro- and antitumorigenic functions of JAM. In this review, we discuss these context-dependent functions of JAM in a variety of cancers and highlight key areas that remain poorly understood, including their potentially diverse intracellular signaling networks, their roles in the tumor microenvironment, and the consequences of posttranslational modifications on their function. These studies have implications in furthering our understanding of JAM in cancer and provide a paradigm for exploring additional roles of TJ proteins.

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Crossref · 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1829

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  • JAMs are essential drivers of EMT in cancer metastasis, modulating morphology, migration, and cell polarity.

    “they are essential drivers of EMT in the context of cancer metastasis, modulating morphology, migration, and cell polarity74.”

    From Cell diversity and plasticity during atrioventricular heart valve EMTs (2023) · cites this paper as [74]

    The JAM-A structure and function section says JAM-A induces EMT in some cancers, and the metastasis section links JAM-A to increased EMT in nasopharyngeal cancer. The paper also describes roles for JAMs in migration and polarity, but it does not establish that JAMs are essential drivers of EMT across cancer metastasis or specifically link them to the claimed morphological changes. Its Conclusion emphasizes that JAM-A can have both pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Lauko, A., Mu, Z., Gutmann, D. H., Naik, U. P., & Lathia, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Cleveland Clinic (US)
  • Thomas Jefferson University (US)
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Corresponding author
  • Naik, Ulhas P.
  • Lathia, Justin D.
Venue
Cancer Research
Published
2020-11-13
Volume
80
Issue
22
Pages
4878-4885
ISSN
  • 0008-5472 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-7445
OpenAlex
W3049205015
Cited by
72
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1
FWCI
1.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cancer Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • NIH (R01 NS109742, NS089641, NS083629, NS117104)
  • NINDS (1-R35-NS07211-01, 1-R01-CA214146-01)
  • NHLBI (2R0HL119374)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Immunology and Allergy › Cell Adhesion Molecules Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Barrier Structure and Function Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Cells and Metastasis
Keywords
junctional adhesion molecules, tight junction proteins, JAM-A, JAM-C, tumor progression, metastasis, cancer stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis inhibition, cell proliferation, tumor microenvironment, post-translational modification, intracellular signaling, cell-cell interactions
MeSH terms
Breast Neoplasms, Cell Adhesion, Cell Communication, Cell Movement, Female, Humans, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Neoplasm Metastasis, Neoplasms, Structure-Activity Relationship, Apoptosis, Disease Progression, Receptor, ErbB-2, Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, Tight Junctions, Tumor Suppressor Proteins, Cell Proliferation, Tumor Microenvironment, Junctional Adhesion Molecules, Junctional Adhesion Molecule A, Junctional Adhesion Molecule C

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