page_title: Cell–cell interaction
section_title: Stable interactions
hierarchical_section_title: Cell–cell interaction / Stable interactions
caption_attribution_description: English: Illustration of tight junction, gap junction, and Desmosomal junction (desmosome)
context_page_description: Cell–cell interaction refers to the direct interactions between cell surfaces that play a crucial role in the development and function of multicellular organisms.
  These interactions allow cells to communicate with each other in response to changes in their microenvironment. This ability to send and receive signals is essential for the survival of the cell. Interactions between cells can be stable such as those made through cell junctions. These junctions are involved in the communication and organization of cells within a particular tissue. Others are transient or temporary such as those between cells of the immune system or the interactions involved in tissue inflammation. These types of intercellular interactions are distinguished from other types such as those between cells and the extracellular matrix. The loss of communication between cells can result in uncontrollable cell growth and cancer.
context_section_description: Stable cell-cell interactions are required for cell adhesion within a tissue and controlling the shape and function of cells. These stable interactions involve cell junctions which are multiprotein complexes that provide contact between neighboring cells.  Cell junctions allow for the preservation and proper functioning of epithelial cell sheets. These junctions are also important in the organization of tissues where cells of one type can only adhere to cells of the same tissue rather than to a different tissue.
caption: Various types of cell junctions.  In this diagram, the interface between neighboring cells or the  basolateral membrane is depicted as "sheets"; the space between these sheets being the extracellular environment and the location of adhesion protein interaction.
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