What kind of binding involves the binding of a cell receptor to a ligand expressed on the surface of different cells?

Heterophilic binding involves the interaction between different molecules, specifically the binding of a cell receptor to a ligand that is expressed on the surface of different cells. This type of binding is crucial in various biological processes, including cell signaling, immune responses, and tissue organization. Heterophilic interactions can facilitate communication and adhesion between distinct cell types, which is essential in a tissue-engineering context where cell behavior and interactions dictate the outcome of engineered tissues.

In contrast, homophilic binding refers to the binding of similar or identical molecules, such as receptors binding to the same type of ligand on adjacent cells, while cell-matrix adhesion focuses on how cells interact with extracellular matrix components, which typically involves different binding mechanisms. Therefore, heterophilic binding is the most appropriate choice when discussing the interaction of cell receptors with ligands from different cells.