During terminal differentiation, epithelia become columnar and develop specialized apical membrane structures (microvilli) and functions (regulated endocytosis and exocytosis). Using a clonal intercalated epithelial cell line, we found that high seeding density induced these characteristics, whereas low density seeding maintained a protoepithelial state. When cells were plated at low density, b...

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and their occurrence is highly associated with age. However, lack knowledge in cardiac tissue aging a major roadblock devising novel therapies. Here, we studied effects cell extracellular matrix (ECM) on induced pluripotent stem (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocyte state, function, as well response to myocardial infarction (MI)-mimicking ...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the pathophysiology of several central nervous system diseases that share common pathogeneses, such as disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In early ischemic injury, MMPs participate in disruption of the BBB by digesting the basal lamina of capillaries ...

Recent advances in high-resolution multimodal microscopy reveal how MT1-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)/MMP-14 and other cell surface proteases degrade and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) to drive the dissemination of cancer cells into normal adjacent tissue. By cleaving collagen fibers and repatterning them into parallel bundles, individual cells reorient the ECM to permit movement in tu...

Only a fraction of cancer patients benefits from immune checkpoint inhibitors. This may be partly due to the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) that forms barrier for T cells. Comparing five preclinical mouse tumor models with heterogeneous microenvironments, we aimed relate rate stiffening remodeling ECM architecture and determine how these features affect intratumoral cell migration. An ECM-tar...

ECM = extracellular matrix; FAK = focal adhesion-associated tyrosine kinase; PTP = protein tyrosine phosphatase; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; SF = synovial fibroblast; Src-PTK = src protein tyrosine kinase.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an intricate network of proteins that surrounds cells and has a central role in establishing an environment that is conducive to tissue-specific cell functions. In the case of stem cells, this environment is the stem cell niche, where ECM signals participate in cell fate decisions. In this Commentary, we describe how changes in ECM composition and mechanical pr...

Background An intact composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) collagens, proteoglycans and elastic fibres are responsible for the constitutional strength of tendons and ligaments [1,2]. It is known that pathophysiological changes in the ECM could lead to reduced extension properties and diminished capacity of energy absorption of ligaments and tendons and could promote diseases like patellar t...

Highly organized structures are a defining feature of biological tissues, from vascular and neural networks to hexagonal liver lobules and striated muscle fibers. This spatial organization of cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential aspect to the development, maintenance, and function of tissues and organs. We discuss available strategies that have been developed f...

Cells and tissues are self-organized within an extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of multifunctional, nano- to micrometer scale protein fibrils. We have developed a cell-free, surface-initiated assembly technique to rebuild this ECM structure in vitro. The matrix proteins fibronectin, laminin, fibrinogen, collagen type I, and collagen type IV are micropatterned onto thermosensitive surfaces as...