Satellite cells, the predominant stem cell population in adult skeletal muscle, are activated in response to hypertrophic stimuli and give rise to myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds myofibers. This ECM is composed largely of collagens secreted by interstitial fibrogenic cells, which influence satellite cell activity and muscle repair during hyp...

The physical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as stiffness, are involved in the determination of the characteristics of cancer cells, including chemotherapy sensitivity. Resistance to chemotherapy is often linked to dysfunction of tumor suppressor p53; however, it remains elusive whether the ECM microenvironment interferes with p53 activation in cancer cells. Here, we show tha...

BACKGROUND The fibrous proteins of extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by dermal fibroblast contributes to the maintenance of connective tissue integrity. OBJECTIVE This study is carried out to identify the bioactive ingredient from natural products that enhances ECM production in dermal fibroblasts. METHODS Bioassay-directed fractionation was used to isolate the active ingredient from natu...

Organoids are a new class of biological model systems that have garnered significant interest in the life sciences. When provided with proper 3D matrix and biochemical factors, stem cells can self-organize form tissue-specific organoids. Thus far, there has been substantial effort to identify soluble niche components essential for organoid culture; however, role solid extracellular (ECM) as an ...

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is best known for its function as a structural scaffold for the tissue and more recently as a microenvironment to sequester growth factors and cytokines allowing for rapid and localized changes in their activity in the absence of new protein synthesis. In this review, we explore this and additional new aspects of ECM function in mediating cell-to-cell communicatio...

One of the earliest stages of tumor progression involves the ability of cells to survive and proliferate when not attached to the extracellular matrix (ECM). New research using a physiologically relevant breast cancer model reveals how separation from the ECM stimulates metabolic changes characteristic of developing tumors.

In this issue, Overholtzer et al. (2007) describe a new nonapoptotic cell death pathway termed "entosis" in mammary epithelial cells that have detached from the extracellular matrix (ECM). Given that surviving detachment from the ECM is an event associated with the progression of epithelial cancers, entosis--along with apoptosis--may contribute to tumor suppression by promoting the elimination ...

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) are attractive autologous cell sources for cartilage repair given their relative abundance and ease of isolation. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules as three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for promoting chondrogenesis. However, few studies have compared the effects of varying types or doses of ECM molecules ...

Specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) is associated with virtually every mechanosensory system studied. C. elegans touch receptor neurons have specialized ECM and attach to the surrounding epidermis. The mec-1 gene encodes an ECM protein with multiple EGF and Kunitz domains. MEC-1 is needed for the accumulation of the collagen MEC-5 and other ECM components, attachment, and, separately, for to...