Cell–cell interfaces are found throughout multicellular organisms, from transient interactions between motile immune cells to long-lived cell–cell contacts in epithelia. Studies of immune cell interactions, epithelial cell barriers, neuronal contacts and sites of cell–cell fusion have identified a core set of features shared by cell–cell interfaces that critically control their function. Data from diverse cell types also show that cells actively and passively regulate the localization, strength, duration and cytoskeletal coupling of receptor interactions governing cell–cell signalling and physical connections between cells, indicating that cell–cell interfaces have a unique membrane organization that emerges from local molecular and cellular mechanics. In this Review, we discuss recent findings that support the emerging view of cell–cell interfaces as specialized compartments that biophysically constrain the arrangement and activity of their protein, lipid and glycan components. We also review how these biophysical features of cell–cell interfaces allow cells to respond with high selectivity and sensitivity to multiple inputs, serving as the basis for wide-ranging cellular functions. Finally, we consider how the unique properties of cell–cell interfaces present opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

细胞 - 细胞界面遍布多细胞生物，从活动免疫细胞之间的瞬时相互作用到上皮细胞中长寿命的细胞 - 细胞接触。对免疫细胞相互作用、上皮细胞屏障、神经元接触和细胞 - 细胞融合位点的研究已经确定了一组由细胞 - 细胞界面共享的核心特征，这些特征严格控制其功能。来自不同细胞类型的数据还表明，细胞主动和被动地调节受体相互作用的定位、强度、持续时间和细胞骨架耦合，这些相互作用控制着细胞-细胞信号传导和细胞之间的物理连接，这表明细胞-细胞界面具有独特的膜组织，从局部分子和细胞力学。在本次审查中，我们讨论了最近的发现，这些发现支持将细胞 - 细胞界面视为生物物理上限制其蛋白质、脂质和聚糖成分的排列和活性的专门隔室的新兴观点。我们还回顾了细胞 - 细胞界面的这些生物物理特征如何使细胞对多种输入具有高选择性和敏感性，作为广泛细胞功能的基础。最后，我们考虑细胞-细胞界面的独特特性如何为治疗干预提供机会。作为广泛的细胞功能的基础。最后，我们考虑细胞-细胞界面的独特特性如何为治疗干预提供机会。作为广泛的细胞功能的基础。最后，我们考虑细胞-细胞界面的独特特性如何为治疗干预提供机会。