Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are promising cell sources for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Scaffolds for ESC-based tissue regeneration should provide not only structural support, but also signals capable of supporting appropriate cell differentiation and tissue development. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key component of the stem cell niche in vivo and can influence stem cell fat...

Diffusion of molecules in brain extracellular space (ECS) is controlled by two major factors: Geometry and extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions [1]. ECS geometry hinders free diffusion of molecules and ECM interacts through electrostatic, steric or viscous mechanisms with the diffusing molecules (Fig. 1). Geometrical hindrance causes a general reduction in free diffusion coefficient of all s...

How intracellular cytoskeletal and signaling proteins connect and communicate with the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a fundamental question in cell biology. Recent biochemical, cell biological, and genetic studies have revealed important roles of cytoplasmic integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and its interactive proteins in these processes. Cell adhesion to ECM is an important process that controls c...

Interaction of cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) largely defines migration capacity of cells and ways of their dissemination in normal tissue processes and during tumor progression. We review current knowledge about structure of cell adhesions with ECM and their alterations during carcinogenesis. We analyze how changes in structure of cell–matrix adhesions and ECM itself lead to acquisition...

The extracellular matrix (ECM) does not simply maintain the form of tissues; it is a dynamic factor that plays a major role in cell function. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the most important enzymes in ECM degradation, and their activity is controlled strictly by specific inhibitors, that is tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs). We assessed the clinical course of changes in ECM...

A central issue in tumor biology is the understanding of the interactions between tumor cells and their environment. Using normal and ras oncogene transfected rat fibroblast cells, we now demonstrate that the transfected cells make altered extracellular matrices (ECM) and that their resulting ECM influence the proliferation and genetic regulation of human bladder cancer EJ cells. Using Western ...

A framework is formulated within the theory of mixtures for continuum modeling of biological tissue growth that explicitly addresses cell division, using a homogenized representation of cells and their extracellular matrix (ECM). The model relies on the description of the cell as containing a solution of water and osmolytes, and having a porous solid matrix. The division of a cell into two near...

We propose a mathematical model of spiking neural network (SNN) that interacts with an active extracellular field formed by the brain matrix (ECM). The SNN exhibits irregular dynamics induced constant noise drive. Following neurobiological facts, neuronal firing leads to production ECM occupies space. In turn, components can modulate signaling and synaptic transmission, for example, through eff...

Fibroblast-like cells in the synovial lining (type B lining cells), stroma and pannus tissue are targeted by many signals, such as the following: ligands binding to cell surface receptors; lipid soluble, small molecular weight mediators (eg nitric oxide [NO], prostaglandins, carbon monoxide); extracellular matrix (ECM)-cell interactions; and direct cell-cell contacts, including gap junctional i...