Modulation of cell adhesion during epithelial restitution in the gastrointestinal tract.

Epithelial migration, which is a fundamental component of the ulcer healing process, is characterized by complex alterations in adhesion between cells and the extracellular matrix. Growth and motility factors involved in mucosal repair of the gastrointestinal tract seem to modulate these interactions in a coordinated fashion in order to reestablish functional and structural integrity of the mucosa. These findings may have important clinical implications for the treatment of ulcerative conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and lead to the development of specific drugs that promote mucosal healing by exploiting natural mechanisms of cell migration.