E-cadherin complex found to help epithelial cells engulf dying cells

October 4, 2026 at 05:00 AM2 min

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Researchers have found that the E-cadherin complex, known for cell adhesion, also helps epithelial cells engulf nearby dead cells. The study, published in Nature Communications, examined epithelial tissues in living zebrafish and mouse embryos. The discovery may inform understanding of chronic inflammation, where debris from dying cells contributes to inflammatory responses.

Key Facts

The E-cadherin complex includes E-cadherin and three additional proteins that connect epithelial cells in tissues such as skin, gut, and airways.
Epithelial tissue removed dying cells stripped of E-cadherin as effectively as normal dying cells.
Epithelial cells engulfed protein-free fat droplets carrying a signal normally displayed on dying cells.
Live imaging showed the lower surface of an epithelial cell stretches around dead cells while the upper surface remains relatively unchanged, preserving the tissue barrier.
The study was led by ICREA Research Professor Verena Ruprecht and published in Nature Communications.

E-cadherin Complex Function

The E-cadherin complex is a molecular system that includes E-cadherin and three additional proteins. These proteins connect epithelial cells lining the skin, gut, and airways, providing structural strength to tissues. In these tissues, each cell connects to E-cadherin molecules on neighboring cells.

Engulfment Mechanism

A team led by Verena Ruprecht examined epithelial tissues in living zebrafish and mouse embryos. They found that the E-cadherin complex gathers at the exact location where a dying cell contacts the tissue. In one experiment, epithelial tissue removed dying cells stripped of E-cadherin as effectively as normal dying cells. In another experiment, epithelial cells engulfed protein-free fat droplets carrying a signal normally displayed on dying cells. Live imaging revealed that the lower surface of an epithelial cell stretches and bends around the dead cell, while the upper surface remains relatively unchanged.

Barrier Preservation

Epithelial cells are tightly packed into barriers that often need to remain sealed even while individual cells reshape themselves to remove debris. Measurements taken before, during, and after engulfment showed that the area of the upper surface changed very little. By contrast, the lower surface underwent substantial deformation during the engulfment process. This differential behavior allows the tissue's protective barrier to remain intact while dead cells are removed.