What is anchorage dependence and how does is work in normal

What is anchorage dependence and how does is work in normal cells and what happens if a normal cell is not \"anchored\"?

Solution

Anchorage dependence is the need for a cell to be in touch/contact/anchored with another cell. A cell anchors to the other cell by extracellular matrix. Epithelial cells line the hollow organs and skin. Epithelial cells are anchored to a layer beneath them. These are anchorage dependent cells. If the epithelial cells detach,they can no longer survive and die. This is called anoikis.

Where as mesenchymal cells are not anchorage dependent. They can survive without anchoring. If a mesenchymal cell gets cancer, it can travel to other parts of body to form secondary tumors. This is called metastasis.