The ability of Candida albicans to adhere to subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) may be important in the pathogenesis of disseminated candidiasis. ECM proteins, such as fibronectin, laminin, and types I and IV collagen bind C. albicans avidly. These proteins all possess heparin-binding domains. The influence of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) including heparin, heparan sulfate and dextran s...

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to provide signals controlling cell shape, migration, proliferation, differentiation, morphogenesis, and survival. Recent data shows that some of these signals are derived from biologically active cryptic sites within matrix molecules (matricryptic sites) that are revealed after structural or conformational alteration of these molecules. We propose the name, ...

The extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM proteins are important in phenomena as diverse as developmental patterning, stem cell niches, cancer, and genetic diseases. The ECM has many effects beyond providing structural support. ECM proteins typically include multiple, independently folded domains whose sequences and arrangement are highly conserved. Some of these domains bind adhesion receptors su...

In all multicellular organisms, development is influenced by the interactions between cells and their extracellular matrix (ECM). Information contained in the ECM provides the cell with temporal and positional clues, such as where it is, where it should be going, how old it is (in terms of cellular differentiation), and in some instances, when it is time for it to die (through apoptosis). It is...

Rationale: Inflammation, increased fibroblast proliferation, and increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) are hallmarks of early lung fibrosis and asthma. Transforming growth factor(TGF) has been suggested as a key regulator of lung tissue homeostasis with several and often opposite effects on fibroblast proliferation and ECM production. In human and animal model systems, it has been ...

Movement through the extracellular matrix (ECM) requires cells to degrade ECM components, primarily through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) has an essential role in matrix degradation and cell invasion and localizes to subcellular degradative structures termed invadopodia. Trafficking of MT1-MMP to invadopodia is required for th...

Biologic scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) are commonly used repair devices in preclinical and clinical settings; however the use of these scaffolds for peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) repair has been limited. Biologic scaffolds developed from brain and spinal cord tissue have recently been described, yet the conformation of the harvested ECM limits therapeutic utilit...

INTRODUCTION Decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) has been shown to promote a regenerative response when administered at the site of a wound [1]. ECM is known to recruit perivascular stem cells, polarize macrophages in an anti-inflammatory manner, and increase collagen deposition at the site of implantation. However, little is known about the mechanisms or specific components of ECM that f...

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an inherently dynamic structure during development. Large-scale tissue movements sweep the ECM to distant positions during early embryogenesis; furthermore, the previously assembled ECM filaments are extensively reused during later organogenesis. Thus, some organs, such as the heart, inherit previously assembled ECM filaments. This review focuses on the macro-a...

Microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1 (MAGP1) is found associated with microfibrils in the extracellular matrix (ECM). In humans, MAGP1 is expressed as two alternatively spliced isoforms: MAGP1A, the extracellular microfibril-associated form; and MAGP1B, an exclusively intracellular isoform derived from the skipping of exon 3. The biological function of MAGP1B is unknown. We performed gene expr...