What Role Do Surface Characteristics Play in Disease?
Alterations in surface characteristics can be indicative of disease. For example, loss of microvilli in the intestinal epithelium can lead to malabsorption syndromes. In cancer, changes in the expression of surface molecules like glycoproteins and integrins can affect cell adhesion and migration, contributing to metastasis. Similarly, defects in cell junctions can result in compromised barrier functions, leading to conditions like leaky gut syndrome or autoimmune diseases.
