Study reveals how epithelial cells clear dying neighbors without breaking tissue barrier

Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona found that epithelial cells repurpose their E-cadherin adhesion machinery to engulf dying neighbors while keeping the protective layer sealed. The mechanism was confirmed in zebrafish and mouse embryos, with results published in Nature Communications.

• Epithelial cells use E-cadherin to engulf dying cells while keeping the barrier intact
• The lower cell surface stretches around the target as the upper surface stays stable
• Removing the cytoskeleton link blocks engulfment entirely
• Mechanism confirmed in zebrafish and mice, human relevance still unknown