EMT Kits and Reagents: Stem Cell Products

Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a biological process which is centrally important to embryogenesis and organ development. Epithelial are highly ordered monolayers of cells with a uniform morphology. Cells within epithelial are characterized by the fact that they are adhered tightly to each other. In contrast, mesenchymal cells differ in shape and display an increased capacity for migration and invasion. This change in phenotype is thought to be involved in some oncogenic pathways. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition allows benign tumors to progress into metastatic cancers that can invade other tissues. EMT is also involved in fibrosis during scar tissue development and may be pathologically relevant to the development of progressive fibrotic diseases. Molecular markers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition include increased expression of N-Cadherin and Vimentin, nuclear localization of beta-catenin, and augmented levels of transcription factors that reduce E-Cadherin expression (i.e. Snail1).