Cell Adhesion to Biomaterials: Concept of Biocompatibility - Advances in Biomaterials Science and Biomedical Applications - page 207

the cell's environment [1].
an adjacent cell, while others serve as receptors to detect and transducer chemical signals in
connect the membrane to the cytoskeleton and/or to either the extracellular matrix (ECM) or
tions of the membrane. In the plasma membrane some proteins serve as structural links that
ture of the membrane and the protein molecules embedded into it control most of the func‐
lipid molecules are arranged as a continuous bilayer and are responsible for the basic struc‐
lipid and protein molecules linked together mostly through non covalent interactions. These
ions or molecules across the membrane. Plasma membrane has the structure of a thin film of
havior in response to environmental cues; these receptors transfer information rather than
so contains proteins that act as sensors of external signals, allowing the cell to change its be‐
between the cytosol and the extracellular environment. In all cells the plasma membrane al‐
membrane encloses the cell, defines its boundaries, and maintains the essential differences
Cell membrane are crucial to the adhesion of the cell and therefore to its life. Indeed, plasma
applied across the interface without causing the two bodies to separate.
gether by intimate interfacial contact in such a way that mechanical force or work can be
sumed as a state in which two bodies (usually, but not necessarily dissimilar) are held to‐
the needs of both the theoretical surface chemist and the practicing technologist. It is as‐
terms. Unfortunately, there is no completely satisfactory definition of the term that fulfils
adhesion). Adhesion is an extremely important concept in both practical and theoretical
(cell-cell adhesion) as well as between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) (cell-matrix
face molecules and their appropriate ligands. Adhesion can be found between adjacent cells
Cell adhesion is a dynamic process that results from specific interactions between cell sur‐
1. Introduction
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
M. Lotfi, M. Nejib and M. Naceur
Biocompatibility
Cell Adhesion to Biomaterials: Concept of
Chapter 8