On the occurrence of specific adhesion between cells

Abstract

ABSTRACT The idea that cells adhere to one another in a specific manner, such that cells of one type stick only to cells of the same type, appears to have had its origin from the work of Wilson (1907). He found that when cell suspensions from two species of marine sponge were mixed and allowed to aggregate, each individual aggregate body was composed of cells of one species alone. This conclusion has been supported by the results obtained by Humphreys (1963) amongst others, though some workers, who have used different species of sponge, have failed to detect signs of specific adhesion of the cells (Sara, Liaci & Melone, 1966). Until recently there has been little evidence in favour or against the idea that specific adhesion occurs between the cells of higher animals. Clearly it is of great interest to discover whether or not specific adhesion occurs, not only because such a phenomenon might be of great importance in the control of morphogenesis but also because its occurrence would have an important bearing on the mechanisms by which cells adhere to one another.