Anoikis is a term used in cell biology to describe a cellular process in which cells undergo programmed cell death or apoptosis when they lose contact with their extracellular matrix (ECM) or neighboring cells. The term is derived from the Greek words "a", meaning without, and "noos", meaning home or habitat.
In normal physiological conditions, cells adhere to their surrounding ECM through integrin-mediated interactions, forming stable attachments. This connection is essential for proper cell survival, growth, and differentiation. However, when cells become detached or lose this contact, they are susceptible to anoikis, which acts as a safeguard mechanism to prevent aberrant cell growth or metastasis.
Anoikis can be triggered by several mechanisms, including receptor-mediated signaling pathways and alterations in signaling molecules, such as growth factors or enzymes involved in cell survival. Loss of attachment leads to the activation of apoptotic signaling pathways, resulting in caspase activation, DNA fragmentation, and cellular disintegration.
Understanding the regulation of anoikis is crucial in various fields of biology, particularly in cancer research. Cancer cells often acquire the ability to evade anoikis, allowing them to survive and migrate to other tissues, a key step in the metastatic process. Consequently, targeting molecular pathways involved in anoikis resistance has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy to inhibit cancer progression.
In summary, anoikis refers to the programmed cell death that occurs when cells detach from their surrounding extracellular matrix or neighboring cells, playing a vital role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing metastasis.
