intercellulare

Intercellulare is an Italian term meaning "between cells" and is used in biology to describe structures, spaces, and processes that occur in the regions separating cells or that involve communication among cells. The word appears in discussions of intercellular space, intercellular signaling, and intercellular adhesion.

Intercellular space refers to the narrow gap between neighboring cells within tissues, typically filled with interstitial fluid in animals. This space allows the diffusion of nutrients, gases, and signaling molecules. In plants, the equivalent region lies in the cell wall–based apoplast, where water, minerals, and signals move between cells through plasmodesmata and intercellular spaces.

Intercellular signaling describes how cells exchange information to coordinate behavior. Signals such as hormones, cytokines, neurotransmitters, and growth factors travel through the extracellular fluid or via direct cell contact. In animals, communication can occur through gap junctions, which form cytoplasmic channels, while in plants plasmodesmata provide cytoplasmic continuity. Signaling can be autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, or synaptic.

Intercellular adhesion involves molecules that mediate cell–cell contact and maintain tissue architecture, including cadherins, integrins, and selectins. Proper intercellular communication and adhesion are essential for development, immune responses, and tissue homeostasis; disruptions are implicated in diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions.