Background: Numerous proteins and small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) make up the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Assembly of individual fibrillar components in the ECM, such as collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, is understood at the molecular level. In contrast, the incorporation of non-fibrillar components and their functions in the ECM are not fully understood.
Scope Of Review: This review will focus on the role of the matricellular protein thrombospondin (TSP) 2 in ECM assembly. Based on findings in TSP2-null mice and in vitro studies, we describe the participation of TSP2 in ECM assembly, cell-ECM interactions, and modulation of the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
Major Conclusions: Evidence summarized in this review suggests that TSP2 can influence collagen fibrillogenesis without being an integral component of fibrils. Altered ECM assembly and excessive breakdown of ECM can have both positive and negative consequences including increased angiogenesis during tissue repair and compromised cardiac tissue integrity, respectively.
General Significance: Proper ECM assembly is critical for maintaining cell functions and providing structural support. Lack of TSP2 is associated with increased angiogenesis, in part, due to altered endothelial cell-ECM interactions. Therefore, minor changes in ECM composition can have profound effects on cell and tissue function. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Matrix-mediated cell behaviour and properties.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2014.01.013 | DOI Listing |
ACS Biomater Sci Eng
January 2025
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
The structure of many native tissues consists of aligned collagen (Col) fibrils, some of which are further composited with dispersed hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocrystals. Accurately mimicking this inherent structure is a promising approach to enhance scaffold biocompatibility in tissue engineering. In this study, biomimetic sheets composed of highly aligned Col fibrils were fabricated using a plastic compression and tension method, followed by the deposition of HAp nanocrystals on the surface via an alternate soaking method.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMacromol Biosci
January 2025
Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Sector 81, Knowledge City, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
Multicomponent self-assembly represents a cutting-edge strategy in peptide nanotechnology, enabling the creation of nanomaterials with enhanced physical and biological characteristics. This approach draws inspiration from the highly complex nature of the native extracellular matrix (ECM) constituting multicomponent biomolecular entities. In recent years, the combination of bioactive peptide with polymer has gained significant attention for the fabrication of novel biomaterials due to their inherent specificity, tunable physiochemical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Dev Biol
January 2025
Mathematical Institute, Faculty of Science, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.
Many mammalian cells, including endothelial cells and fibroblasts, align and elongate along the orientation of extracellular matrix (ECM) fibers in a gel when cultured . During cell elongation, clusters of focal adhesions (FAs) form near the poles of the elongating cells. FAs are mechanosensitive clusters of adhesions that grow under mechanical tension exerted by the cells' pulling on the ECM and shrink when the tension is released.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancer Res Commun
January 2025
University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) generate an extracellular matrix (ECM) which provides a repository for factors that promote pancreatic cancer progression. Here, we establish that CAF contribution to pancreatic tumor initiation, i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale
January 2025
Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, Sector-81, Knowledge City, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 140306, India.
In this study, we demonstrate a unique and promising approach to access peptide-based diverse nanostructures in a single gelator regime that is capable of exhibiting different surface topographies and variable physical properties, which, in turn, can effectively mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate variable cellular responses. These diverse nanostructures represent different energy states in the free energy landscape, which have been created through different self-assembling pathways by providing variable energy inputs by simply altering the gelation induction temperature from 40 °C to 90 °C. The highly entangled network structure with long fibers was created by higher energy inputs, , inducing the gelation at a higher temperature in the 70-90 °C range, whereas the less entangled nanoscale network with short fibers was obtained at a lower gelation induction temperature of 40-60 °C.
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