The physical chemistry of cell adhesion

An account is given of the many forces probably involved in cell adhesion and repulsion, and the relative importance of these forces is assessed. Calculations of repulsion barriers to adhesion between approaching cells indicate that villi and other small membrane protuberances are the most likely regions of initial contact. The change of relative importance of the various attraction and repulsion forces during shape changes, reversible adhesion and successive adhesions (e.g. in re-arrangement of aggregates) is not considered in any detail.