Are extracellular matrix surface network components involved in signalling and protective function?

Entamoeba histolytica: lipid rafts are involved in adhesion of trophozoites to host extracellular matrix components.

Adhesion is an important virulence function for Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebic dysentery. Lipid rafts, cholesterol-rich domains, function in compartmentalization of cellular processes. In E. histolytica, rafts participate in parasite-host cell interactions; however, their role in parasite-host extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions has not been explored. Disruption of ra...

Lipid microdomains are involved in adhesion of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites to host extracellular matrix components

Collagenase mRNA Overexpression and Decreased Extracellular Matrix Components Are Early Events in the Pathogenesis of Emphysema

To describe the progression of parenchymal remodeling and metalloproteinases gene expression in earlier stages of emphysema, mice received porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) instillation and Control groups received saline solution. After PPE instillation (1, 3, 6 hours, 3 and 21 days) we measured the mean linear intercept, the volume proportion of types I and III collagen, elastin, fibrillin and...

Tendon structure and extracellular matrix components are affected by spasticity in cerebral palsy patients.

We studied the effect of spasticity-induced overload on tendons from the gracilis and semitendinosus muscles from cerebral palsy (CP) and healthy subjects (CT) stained with haematoxylineosin, Sirius red and Alcian blue. Vascularity was also characterized using an anti-CD34 antibody. Light microscopy analysis of haematoxylin-eosin stained sections revealed that the overall structure of tendons w...

VAMP3, syntaxin-13 and SNAP23 are involved in secretion of matrix metalloproteinases, degradation of the extracellular matrix and cell invasion.

Cellular remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), an essential component of many physiological and pathological processes, is dependent on the trafficking and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE)-mediated membrane traffic has documented roles in cell-ECM interactions and the present study specifically examines SNARE function in the ...