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Paracrine regulations of IFN-γ secreting CD4+ T cells by lumican and biglycan are protective in allergic contact dermatitis Matrix Biol. (IF 4.8) Pub Date : 2025-06-14 George Maiti, Jihane Frikeche, Cynthia Loomis, Michael Cammer, Stephanie L Eichman, Shukti Chakravarti
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a delayed-type IV hypersensitivity response driven by innate and adaptive immune cells. While specific immune regulations of these cell types are amply elucidated, their regulations by extracellular matrix (ECM) components and T cell mediated adaptive immunity in ACD remains unclear. Lumican and biglycan are ECM proteoglycans abundant in the dermis and lymph node
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A complex relationship between the architecture of the basement membrane, its mechanical properties, and its ability to shape the Drosophila egg Matrix Biol. (IF 4.8) Pub Date : 2025-06-13 Mitchell T. Anderson, Sally Horne-Badovinac
Basement membranes (BMs) are planar extracellular matrices that line the basal surfaces of epithelia and are essential components of most organs. During development, BMs can also play instructive roles in shaping the tissues to which they belong, but how they do so is incompletely understood. The Drosophila egg chamber has become a premier system to study this aspect of BM biology due to the ostensible
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Mechanical control of breast cancer malignancy by promotion of mevalonate pathway enzyme synthesis Matrix Biol. (IF 4.8) Pub Date : 2025-06-12 Sara Göransson, Helene Olofsson, Henrik J. Johansson, Feifei Yan, Christos Vogiatzakis, Shuo Liang, Hermano Martins Bellato, Laia Masvidal, Inci Aksoylu, Johan Hartman, Glaucia NM Hajj, Ola Larsson, Janne Lehtiö, Staffan Strömblad
In breast cancer, mechanotransduction from stiffened extracellular matrix (ECM) drives proliferation and invasion. Here, we use a model of matrix stiffening mimicking progression of breast ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive ductal carcinoma. Quantitative mass spectrometry identified enrichment of ECM-stiffness upregulated mevalonate pathway enzymes, indicating sterol/isoprenoid metabolism reprogramming
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The functional role of the extracellular matrix in inflammatory bowel disease associated gut fibrosis Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-05-19 Si-Nan Lin, Jie Wang, Pranab K. Mukherjee, Ido Veisman, William․ J․ Massey, Ren Mao, Jyotsna Chandra, Claudio Fiocchi, Florian Rieder
Intestinal fibrosis is characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the bowel wall. Complications, such as strictures that require surgical intervention in a large proportion of patients, are considered an inevitable consequence of chronic inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and leads to severe complications. The study of intestinal fibrosis in IBD has been
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Load activated FGFR and beta1 integrins target distinct chondrocyte mechano-response genes Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-05-14 Helen F. Dietmar, Pia A. Weidmann, Paolo Alberton, Terrilyn Teichwart, Matthias Gerstner, Tobias Renkawitz, Andrea Vortkamp, Attila Aszodi, Wiltrud Richter, Solvig Diederichs
In response to mechanical stimuli, chondrocytes adapt their transcriptional activity, thereby shaping the cellular mechano-response; however, it remains unclear whether the activation of cell surface receptors during mechanical loading converge in the activation of the same mechano-response genes, or whether pathway-specific genes can be defined. We aimed to determine whether load-activated FGF/FGFR
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Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix in oesophageal cancer Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-05-14 Subashan Vadibeler, Shannique Clarke, Su M. Phyu, Eileen E. Parkes
Stromal components of the tumour microenvironment, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the extracellular matrix (ECM), are actively involved in tumorigenesis. CAFs and the ECM co-evolve with resultant molecular and mechanical pressure on tumour cells mediated by CAFs via the ECM. Meanwhile, ECM fibers determine CAF differentiation and activity, establishing a protumorigenic feed-forward
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Differential modulation of endothelial cell functionality by LRP1 expression in fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts via paracrine signals and matrix remodeling Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-05-14 Julie Martin, Auréana Falaise, Sara Faour, Christine Terryn, Cathy Hachet, Émilie Thiébault, Louise Huber, Pierre Nizet, Damien Rioult, Rodolphe Jaffiol, Stéphanie Salesse, Stéphane Dedieu, Benoit Langlois
LRP1 is a multifunctional endocytosis receptor involved in the regulation of cancer cell aggressiveness, fibroblast phenotype and angiogenesis. In breast cancer microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in matrix remodeling and tumor niche composition. LRP1 expression was described in fibroblasts and CAFs but remains poorly understood regarding its impact on endothelial
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The life cycle of type IV collagen Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-04-28 Sandhya Srinivasan, David R. Sherwood
Type IV collagen is a large triple helical molecule that forms a covalently cross-linked network within basement membranes (BMs). Type IV collagen networks play key roles in mechanically supporting tissues, shaping organs, filtering blood, and cell signaling. To ensure tissue health and function, all aspects of the type IV collagen life cycle must be carried out accurately. However, the large triple
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Brain vascular basement membrane: Comparison of human and mouse brain at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels Matrix Biol. (IF 4.8) Pub Date : 2025-04-26 Nan Zhao, Alexander F. Pessell, Tracy D. Chung, Peter C. Searson
The cerebrovascular basement membrane (BM) is a key component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BM provides structural support for brain microvascular endothelial cells and the supporting cells of the neurovascular unit, and facilitates cell signaling through adhesion receptors, regulates the concentration of soluble factors, and serves as an additional barrier for transport. However, our understanding
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ECM, integrins, and DDRs: A nexus of cancer progression, therapy, and future directions Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-04-12 Md Al Azim, Julie S Di Martino
Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals, significantly contributing to cancer progression. Cells express two primary well-conserved collagen receptors, integrins and discoidin domain receptors (DDRs), which bind collagen on distinct sites, suggesting that cancer cells must integrate both signals to decide their fate. The crosstalk between integrins and DDRs mediated by collagen binding produces
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Oligomerisation of pentraxin-3: Insights from cryoEM Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-04-03 Antonio Inforzato, Anthony J. Day
Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a secreted protein with roles in the stabilisation of hyaluronan-rich extracellular matrices involved in reproductive biology and inflammatory processes, as well as additional functions in innate immunity and cancer. Our recent structural studies (Shah et al., 2025; DOI:10.1016/j.matbio.2025.01.002), involving X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and AlphaFold
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Toward a rational therapeutic for elastin related disease: Key considerations for elastin based regenerative medicine strategies Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-03-28 Meysam Ganjibakhsh, Yanina Tkachenko, Russell H. Knutsen, Beth A. Kozel
Elastin is a connective tissue protein, produced from the ELN gene, that provides elasticity and recoil to tissues that stretch, such as the large arteries of the body, lung parenchyma, skin, ligaments and elastic cartilages. It is produced as a soluble monomer, tropoelastin, that when cross-linked in the extracellular space generates a polymer that is extraordinarily stable, with a predicted half-life
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Structural insights on perlecan and Schwartz–Jampel syndrome Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-03-19 Anil A. Sohail, M. Kristian Koski, Lloyd W. Ruddock
Perlecan is an essential multi-domain, disulfide bond rich basement membrane protein. Mutations in perlecan cause Schwartz-Jampel syndrome and dyssegmental dysplasia. While there has been a large body of experimental work reported on perlecan, there is only minimal structural information available to date. There is no prior structural data for region 3 of perlecan in which some Schwartz-Jampel syndrome
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Circulating collagen type I fragments as specific biomarkers of cardiovascular outcome risk: Where are the opportunities? Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-03-02 Emily M. Martin, Joan Chang, Arantxa González, Federica Genovese
Collagen type I (COL1) is the most abundant protein in the human body and is a main component in the extracellular matrix. The COL1 structure vastly influences normal tissue homeostasis, and changes in the matrix drive progression in multiple diseases. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in many Western countries; alterations in the extracellular matrix turnover
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Laminins and the blood-brain barrier Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-03-01 Ava Nasrollahi, Yao Yao
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic structure that maintains brain homeostasis. BBB breakdown is a key pathological hallmark of almost all neurological diseases. Although the regulation of BBB integrity by different cells has been extensively studied, the function of its non-cellular component—the basal lamina in BBB regulation remains largely unknown. Laminin, a trimeric protein with multiple
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Inhibition of the MRTF-A/SRF signaling axis alleviates vocal fold scarring Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-02-14 Ryan M. Friedman, Huy D. Truong, Matthew R. Aronson, Elizabeth A. Brown, Marco Angelozzi, Jeffrey F. Chen, Karen B. Zur, Véronique Lefebvre, Riccardo Gottardi
Vocal fold scarring, the most common cause of poor voice after airway injury, involves the transition of vocal fold fibroblasts to contractile myofibroblasts. Vocal fold myofibroblasts can be characterized by significant extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion and stress fiber formation. Biochemical signals, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and biophysical cues, such as matrix stiffening,
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Mysteries of the collagen triple helix Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-02-14 Hans Peter Bächinger, Sergei P. Boudko
The collagen triple helix is one of the structurally simplest protein motifs that still holds a lot of secrets. The Gly-X-Y repeat is a business card of collagens, where Gly is required for the tight packing of three helices into a superhelix and X and Y residues are important for stabilizing the triple helix and communicating with the world. On its way to a functional molecule, collagen sequences
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Role of syndecan-4 in angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in triple negative breast cancer cells Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-02-10 Jessica Oyie Sousa Onyeisi, Heba M. El-Shorafa, Burkhard Greve, Martin Götte
Syndecan-4 (SDC4), a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, is aberrantly expressed in breast cancer and plays a significant role in tumor progression by influencing cell proliferation and promoting invasive growth. This study aimed to characterize its role in the tumor microenvironment by analyzing the contribution of SDC4 to vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and angiogenesis in human breast cancer cells. We silenced
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Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa - From biochemistry to interventions Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-02-06 Alexander Nyström
The skin, as a barrier organ meeting constant mechanical challenges, is equipped with multiple adhesive structures that collectively support resilient, yet flexible attachment of its epithelium –the epidermis to its mesenchyme – the dermis. One such structure is the collagen VII-composed anchoring fibril, which provides firm anchorage of the epidermal basement membrane to the underlying interstitial
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George R. Martin: Pioneering matrix biologist Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-28 Andrew Leask, Richard J. Stratton
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Spatial localization of collagen hydroxylated proline site variation as an ancestral trait in the breast cancer microenvironment Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-23 Harrison Taylor, Laura Spruill, Heather Jensen-Smith, Denys Rujchanarong, Taylor Hulahan, Ashlyn Ivey, Alex Siougiannis, Jennifer R. Bethard, Lauren E. Ball, George E. Sandusky, M.A. Hollingsworth, Jeremy L. Barth, Anand S. Mehta, Richard R. Drake, Jeffrey R. Marks, Harikrishna Nakshatri, Marvella Ford, Peggi M. Angel
Collagen stroma interactions within the extracellular microenvironment of breast tissue play a significant role in breast cancer, including risk, progression, and outcomes. Hydroxylation of proline (HYP) is a common post-translational modification directly linked to breast cancer survival and progression. Changes in HYP status lead to alterations in epithelial cell signaling, extracellular matrix remodeling
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Decoding the MMP14 integrin link: Key player in the secretome landscape Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-17 Stephan Niland, Johannes A. Eble
Rapid progress has been made in the exciting field of secretome research in health and disease. The tumor secretome, which is a significant proportion of the tumor proteome, is secreted into the extracellular space to promote intercellular communication and thus tumor progression. Among the many molecules of the secretome, integrins and matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) stand out as the interplay
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CD45+/ Col I+ Fibrocytes: Major source of collagen in the fibrotic lung, but not in passaged fibroblast cultures Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-17 Charles F. Reese, Monika Gooz, Zoltan Hajdu, Stanley Hoffman
The role of cells of the hematopoietic lineage in fibrosis is controversial. Here we evaluate the contribution of Col I+/CD45+ cells (fibrocytes) to lung fibrosis. Systemic bleomycin treatment was used to induce fibrosis in a bone marrow transplant and two transgenic mouse models. Lung cells from these mice were analyzed by flow cytometry, both immediately upon release from the tissue or following
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Endothelial cell (EC)-specific Ctgf/Ccn2 expression increases EC reprogramming and atherosclerosis Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-14 Feifei Li, Sandeep Kumar, Anastassia Pokutta-Paskaleva, Dong-won Kang, Chanwoo Kim, Julia Raykin, Victor Omojola, Carson Hoffmann, Fujie Zhao, Maiko Teichmann, Christian Park, Kyung In Baek, Gloriani Sanchez Marrero, Jing Ma, Hiromi Yanagisawa, Andrew Leask, Lucas Timmins, Xiangqin Cui, Roy Sutliff, Rudy L. Gleason Jr., Hanjoong Jo, Luke P. Brewster
Arterial endothelial cells (ECs) reside in a complex biomechanical environment. ECs sense and respond to wall shear stress. Low and oscillatory wall shear stress is characteristic of disturbed flow and commonly found at arterial bifurcations and around atherosclerotic plaques. Disturbed flow is pro-inflammatory to ECs. Arteries also stiffen with aging and/or the onset of vascular disease. ECs sense
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The structural organisation of pentraxin-3 and its interactions with heavy chains of inter-α-inhibitor regulate crosslinking of the hyaluronan matrix Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-13 Anokhi Shah, Xiaoli Zhang, Matthew Snee, Michael P. Lockhart-Cairns, Colin W. Levy, Thomas A. Jowitt, Holly L. Birchenough, Louisa Dean, Richard Collins, Rebecca J. Dodd, Abigail R.E. Roberts, Jan J. Enghild, Alberto Mantovani, Juan Fontana, Clair Baldock, Antonio Inforzato, Ralf P. Richter, Anthony J. Day
Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is an octameric protein, comprised of eight identical protomers, that has diverse functions in reproductive biology, innate immunity and cancer. PTX3 interacts with the large polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA) to which heavy chains (HCs) of the inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) family of proteoglycans are covalently attached, playing a key role in the (non-covalent) crosslinking of HC•HA complexes
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Neurocan regulates axon initial segment organization and neuronal activity Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-07 David Baidoe-Ansah, Hadi Mirzapourdelavar, Stepan Aleshin, Björn Hendrik Schott, Constanze Seidenbecher, Rahul Kaushik, Alexander Dityatev
The neural extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulates in the form of perineuronal nets (PNNs), particularly around fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons in the cortex and hippocampus, but also around synapses and in association with the axon initial segments (AIS) and nodes of Ranvier. Increasing evidence highlights the role of Neurocan (Ncan), a brain-specific component of ECM, in the pathophysiology of
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FGF and TGF-β growth factor isoform modulation of human gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblast wound healing phenotype Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2025-01-03 Chengyu Guo, Amin S. Rizkalla, Douglas W. Hamilton
Release of growth factors in the tissue microenvironment is a critical process in the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissues, regulating fibroblast behavior and phenotype. As a result of the complex architecture of the periodontium, distinct fibroblast populations in the periodontal ligament and gingival connective tissue exist in close proximity. Growth factor therapies for periodontal regeneration
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AGEing of collagen: The effects of glycation on collagen’s stability, mechanics and assembly Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-31 Daniel Sloseris, Nancy R. Forde
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are the end result of the irreversible, non-enzymatic glycation of proteins by reducing sugars. These chemical modifications accumulate with age and have been associated with various age-related and diabetic complications. AGEs predominantly accumulate on proteins with slow turnover rates, of which collagen is a prime example. Glycation has been associated with
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Anticancer effect of a single-chain variable fragment against pro-matrix metalloproteinase-7 in colon cancer Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-27 Shinhye Min, Bohee Jang, Ji-Hye Yun, Hyeonju Yang, Jee Young Sung, Ga-Eun Lim, Yong-Nyun Kim, Weontae Lee, Eok-Soo Oh
Disrupting the interaction between matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and syndecan-2 (SDC-2) can yield anticancer effects in colon cancer cells. Here, a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the pro-domain of MMP-7 was generated as a potential candidate anticancer agent. Among the generated scFvs, those designated 1B7 and 1C3 showed the strongest abilities to inhibit the ability of MMP-7
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35k Da specific-sized hyaluronan ameliorates high-fat diet-induced liver injury in murine model of moderate obesity Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-26 Semanti Ray, Emily Huang, Megan R McMullen, Samreen Jatana, Carol de la Motte, Laura E Nagy
Obesity is a growing concern in the US and world-wide, associated with an increased risk for several cardiometabolic diseases, including metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Currently, therapeutic interventions to prevent and/or treat MASLD are limited, and research is needed to identify new therapeutic targets. The specific-sized 35 kDa fragment of hyaluronan (HA35), has gut protective
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Basement membranes in lung metastasis growth and progression Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-22 Irene Torre-Cea, Patricia Berlana-Galán, Elena Guerra-Paes, Daniel Cáceres-Calle, Iván Carrera-Aguado, Laura Marcos-Zazo, Fernando Sánchez-Juanes, José M. Muñoz-Félix
The lung is a highly vascularized tissue that often harbors metastases from various extrathoracic malignancies. Lung parenchyma consists of a complex network of alveolar epithelial cells and microvessels, structured within an architecture defined by basement membranes. Consequently, understanding the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the growth of lung metastases is essential to uncover the
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Functional transfer of integrin co-receptor CD98hc by small extracellular vesicles improves wound healing in vivo Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-12 Floriane S. Tissot, Soline Estrach, Laetitia Seguin, Laurence Cailleteau, Ayelet Levy, Daniel Aberdam, Chloé C. Féral
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate intercellular communication. EVs are composed of a lipid bilayer and contain cytosolic proteins and RNAs. Studies highlight EVs striking functions in cell-cell crosstalk. Here, we found that small EVs can transfer functional signaling molecules through their lipid bilayer and participate in skin homeostasis. We identified a transmembrane protein CD98hc (a.k.a. SLC3A2)
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Cleavage of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) by ADAMTS4 generates a neoepitope associated with osteoarthritis and other forms of degenerative joint disease Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-11 Rens de Groot, Patricia Badía Folgado, Kazuhiro Yamamoto, Daniel R. Martin, Christopher D. Koch, Danielle Debruin, Sophie Blagg, Alexander F. Minns, Sumit Bhutada, Josefin Ahnström, Jonathan Larkin, Anders Aspberg, Patrik Önnerfjord, Suneel S. Apte, Salvatore Santamaria
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent joint disease, affecting millions of people worldwide and characterized by degradation of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling and low-grade inflammation, leading to pain, stiffness and disability. Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) is a major structural component of cartilage and its degradation has been proposed as a marker of OA severity/progression
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A CNA-35-based high-throughput fibrosis assay reveals ORAI1 as a regulator of collagen release from pancreatic stellate cells Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-09 Rieke Schleinhege, Ilka Neumann, Andrea Oeckinghaus, Albrecht Schwab, Zoltán Pethő
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) produce a collagen-rich connective tissue in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Ca2+-permeable ion channels such as ORAI1 are known to affect PSC proliferation and myofibroblastic phenotype. However, it is unknown whether these channels play a role in collagen secretion.
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Impact of vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-associated Gly substitutions on structure, function, and mechanics using bacterial collagen Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-06 Sonal Gahlawat, Jan Siess, Natalie Losada, Jennifer Timm, Vikas Nanda, David I. Shreiber
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) arises from mutations in collagen-III, a major structural component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vascularized tissues, including blood vessels. Fibrillar collagens form a triple-helix that is characterized by a canonical (Gly-X-Y)n sequence. The substitution of another amino acid for Gly within this conserved repeating sequence is associated with several
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Integrins and integrin-driven secretory pathways as multi-dimensional regulators of tumor-associated macrophage recruitment and reprogramming in tumor microenvironment Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-05 Nibedita Dalpati, Shubham Kumar Rai, Prerna Sharma, Pranita P. Sarangi
Integrins, a group of transmembrane receptors, play a crucial role in mediating the interactions between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The intracellular signaling initiated by these cell-matrix interactions in leukocytes mediates many essential cellular processes such as survival, migration, metabolism, and other immunological functions. Macrophages, as phagocytes, participate in both
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Using load to improve tendon/ligament tissue engineering and develop novel treatments for tendinopathy Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-12-05 Kenneth T. Tam, Keith Baar
Tendon and ligament injuries are highly prevalent but heal poorly, even with proper care. Restoration of native tissue function is complicated by the fact that these tissues vary anatomically in terms of their mechanical properties, composition, and structure. These differences develop as adaptations to diverse mechanical demands; however, pathology may alter the loads placed on the tissue. Musculoskeletal
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Fibrillin-1 G234D mutation in the hybrid1 domain causes tight skin associated with dysregulated elastogenesis and increased collagen cross-linking in mice Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-11-28 ASM Sakhawat Hossain, Maria Thea Rane Dela Cruz Clarin, Kenichi Kimura, George Biggin, Yuki Taga, Koichiro Uto, Ayana Yamagishi, Eri Motoyama, Narenmandula, Kazunori Mizuno, Chikashi Nakamura, Keiichi Asano, Sumio Ohtsuki, Tomoyuki Nakamura, Sachiko Kanki, Clair Baldock, Erna Raja, Hiromi Yanagisawa
Fibrillin-1, an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein encoded by the FBN1 gene, serves as a microfibril scaffold crucial for elastic fiber formation and homeostasis in pliable tissue such as the skin. Aside from causing Marfan syndrome, some mutations in FBN1 result in scleroderma, marked by hardened and thicker skin which limits joint mobility. Here, we describe a tight skin phenotype in the Fbn1G234D/G234D
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Alterations in the microenvironment of junctional epidermolysis bullosa keratinocytes: A gene expression study Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-11-28 Yao Wang, Maria Elena Hess, Yan Tan, Philipp R. Esser, Alexander Nyström, Melanie Boerries, Saliha Beyza Sayar, Cristina Has
Integrin α6β4 subunits and type XVII collagen are critical transmembrane proteins involved in cell-matrix adhesion in skin, while laminin 332 serves as their ligand in the basement membrane zone (BMZ). Those proteins contribute to the composition of hemidesmosomes (HDs) and pathogenic variants in their corresponding genes cause junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB). Although the genotype-phenotype
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Corrigendum to “Regulation of extracellular matrix degradation and metastatic spread by IQGAP1 through endothelin-1 receptor signalling in ovarian cancer” [Matrix Biol. 81 (2019) 17-33] Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-11-26 Lidia Chellini, Valentina Caprara, Francesca Spadaro, Rosanna Sestito, Anna Bagnato, Laura Rosanò
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Identification of CD44 as a key engager to hyaluronic acid-rich extracellular matrices for cell traction force generation and tumor invasion in 3D Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-11-09 Brian C.H. Cheung, Xingyu Chen, Hannah J. Davis, Cassidy S. Nordmann, Joshua Toth, Louis Hodgson, Jeffrey E. Segall, Vivek B. Shenoy, Mingming Wu
Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) critically regulate a number of important cell functions including growth, differentiation and migration. Type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are two primary components of ECMs that contribute to mammalian tissue mechanics, with the collagen fiber network sustaining tension, and GAGs withstanding compression. The architecture and stiffness
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Remodeling of the extracellular matrix by serine proteases as a prerequisite for cancer initiation and progression Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-11-03 Tomasz Wenta, Paulina Nastaly, Barbara Lipinska, Aki Manninen
The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a physical scaffold for tissues that is composed of structural proteins such as laminins, collagens, proteoglycans and fibronectin, forming a three dimensional network, and a wide variety of other matrix proteins with ECM-remodeling and signaling functions. The activity of ECM-associated signaling proteins is tightly regulated. Thus, the ECM serves as a reservoir
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Extracellular matrix integrity regulates GABAergic plasticity in the hippocampus Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-11-02 Jadwiga Jabłońska, Grzegorz Wiera, Jerzy W. Mozrzymas
The brain's extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for neural circuit functionality, synaptic plasticity, and learning. While the role of the ECM in excitatory synapses has been extensively studied, its influence on inhibitory synapses, particularly on GABAergic long-term plasticity, remains poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the effects of ECM components on inhibitory synaptic transmission
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The epidermal integrin-mediated secretome regulates the skin microenvironment during tumorigenesis and repair Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-11-02 Whitney M. Longmate
Integrins are cellular transmembrane receptors that physically connect the cytoskeleton with the extracellular matrix. As such, they are positioned to mediate cellular responses to microenvironmental cues. Importantly, integrins also regulate their own microenvironment through secreted factors, also known as the integrin-mediated secretome. Epidermal integrins, or integrins expressed by keratinocytes
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Effects of hydrostatic pressure, osmotic pressure, and confinement on extracellular matrix associated responses in the nucleus pulposus cells ex vivo Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-10-18 Hayato L. Mizuno, James D. Kang, Shuichi Mizuno
Spinal movement in both upright and recumbent positions generates changes in physicochemical stresses including hydrostatic pressure (HP), deviatoric stress, and confinement within the intradiscal compartment. The nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc is composed of highly negatively charged extracellular matrix (ECM), which increases osmotic pressure (OP) and generates tissue swelling.
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Fibroblast integrin α11β1 is a collagen assembly receptor in mechanoregulated fibrillar adhesions Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-10-13 Moses Musiime, Pugazendhi Murugan Erusappan, Edna Cukierman, Joan Chang, Anders Molven, Uwe Hansen, Cédric Zeltz, Donald Gullberg
Solid epithelial cancers with significant desmoplasia are characterized by an excessive deposition of collagen-based matrix, which often supports tumor progression. However, the mechanism of how collagen receptors mediate collagen fibrillogenesis still remains mostly unclear.
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COL8A2 activation enhances function of corneal endothelial cells through HIPPO signaling/mitochondria pathway Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-10-11 Yunkyoung Ryu, Je Hyun Seo, Hak Su Kim, Youn Joo Nam, Kyung Bo Noh, Sun-Hee Oh, Jin Sun Hwang, Young Joo Shin
Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are essential for maintaining corneal transparency and hydration through their barrier and pump functions. The COL8A2 gene encodes a component of the extracellular matrix of the cornea, which is crucial for the normal functioning of these cells. Mutations in COL8A2 are linked to corneal dystrophies, emphasizing the gene's importance in corneal health. The purpose of
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OSCC-derived EVs educate fibroblasts and remodel collagen landscape Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-10-10 Cheng Miao, Liu Liu, Yubin Cao, Zhishen Jiang, Zhangfan Ding, Yafei Chen, Honglin Li, Zhongkai Ma, Pingchuan Ma, Gaowei Zhang, Longjiang Li, Chunjie Li
Cancer-associated myofibroblasts (mCAFs) represent a significant component of the tumor microenvironment due to their contributions to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The pro-tumor mechanisms of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by regulating mCAFs and related collagens remain poorly understood in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, through analysis of single-cell sequencing data
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Loss of MMP9 disturbs cranial suture fusion via suppressing cell proliferation, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in mice Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-10-05 Ming Liu, Hanshu Zhang, Yuanyuan Li, Delan Huang, Huanyan Zuo, Jingwen Yang, Zhi Chen
Cranial sutures function as growth centers for calvarial bones. Abnormal suture closure will cause permanent cranium deformities. MMP9 is a member of the gelatinases that degrades components of the extracellular matrix. MMP9 has been reported to regulate bone development and remodeling. However, the function of MMP9 in cranial suture development is still unknown. Here, we identified that the expression
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Myeloid deficiency of heparan sulfate 6-O-endosulfatases impairs bone marrow hematopoiesis Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-10-04 Anna K. Whitehead, Zhangjie Wang, Rebecca-Joe Boustany, Romain R. Vivès, Eric Lazartigues, Jian Liu, Robert W. Siggins, Xinping Yue
The heparan sulfate (HS) 6-O-endosulfatases or the Sulfs (Sulf1 and Sulf2) are the only known enzymes that can modify HS sulfation status extracellularly and have been shown to regulate diverse biological processes. The role of the Sulfs in bone marrow (BM) hematopoiesis is not known. In this study, we generated a novel mouse line with myeloid-specific deletion of the Sulfs by crossing Sulf1/2 double
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Matrix vesicles from osteoblasts promote atherosclerotic calcification Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-09-28 Xiaoli Wang, Jie Ren, Fei Fang, Erxiang Wang, Jianwei Li, Weihong He, Zhen Zhang, Yang Shen, Xiaoheng Liu
Atherosclerotic calcification often coincides with osteoporosis, suggesting a potential interplay between bone and vascular mineralization. Osteoblast-derived matrix vesicles (Ost-MVs), pivotal in bone mineralization, have emerged as potential contributors to ectopic vascular calcification. However, the precise role of Ost-MVs in vascular calcification and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.
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Inhibition of osteosarcoma metastasis in vivo by targeted downregulation of MMP1 and MMP9 Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-09-13 Ofri Doppelt-Flikshtain, Thabet Asbi, Amin Younis, Ofir Ginesin, Ziv Cohen, Tal Tamari, Tal Berg, Chen Yanovich, Dvir Aran, Yaniv Zohar, Yehuda G. Assaraf, Hadar Zigdon-Giladi
Osteosarcoma (OS) mortality stems from lung metastases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) facilitate metastatic dissemination by degrading extracellular matrix components. Herein we studied the impact of targeted MMP downregulation on OS metastasis. Differential gene expression analysis of human OS cell lines revealed high MMP9 expression in the majority of OS cell lines. Furthermore, 143B, a metastatic
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PCPE-2 (procollagen C-proteinase enhancer-2): The non-identical twin of PCPE-1 Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-09-07 Manon Napoli, Julien Bauer, Christelle Bonod, Sandrine Vadon-Le Goff, Catherine Moali
PCPE-2 was discovered at the beginning of this century, and was soon identified as a close homolog of PCPE-1 (procollagen C-proteinase enhancer 1). After the demonstration that it could also stimulate the proteolytic maturation of fibrillar procollagens by BMP-1/tolloid-like proteinases (BTPs), PCPE-2 did not attract much attention as it was thought to fulfill the same functions as PCPE-1 which was
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The integral role of fibronectin in skeletal morphogenesis and pathogenesis Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-09-02 Neha E.H. Dinesh, Philippe M. Campeau, Dieter P. Reinhardt
Fibronectin (FN) serves as a critical organizer of extracellular matrix networks in two principal isoforms, the plasma FN and the cellular FN. While FN's pivotal role in various organ systems, including the blood vasculature, is well-established, its contribution to the development of the skeletal system is much less explored. Furthermore, the pathomechanisms of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia caused
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Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 – A novel signaling molecule for rejuvenating aged skin Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-09-01 Zhicheng Fu, Goowon Yang, So Yoon Yun, Ji Min Jang, Hae Chan Ha, In Chul Shin, Moon Jung Back, Yongwei Piao, Dae Kyong Kim
The skin seems to rejuvenate upon exposure to factors within the circulation of young organisms. Intrinsic factors that modulate skin aging are poorly understood. We used heterochronic parabiosis and aptamer-based proteomics to identify serum-derived rejuvenating factors. We discovered a novel extracellular function of hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1). Its serum levels decreased
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Myocardial fibrosis from the perspective of the extracellular matrix: Mechanisms to clinical impact Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-08-29 Ida G. Lunde, Karoline B. Rypdal, Sophie Van Linthout, Javier Diez, Arantxa González
Fibrosis is defined by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and constitutes a central pathophysiological process that underlies tissue dysfunction, across organs, in multiple chronic diseases and during aging. Myocardial fibrosis is a key contributor to dysfunction and failure in numerous diseases of the heart and is a strong predictor of poor clinical outcome and mortality. The
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Hyperglycemic environments directly compromise intestinal epithelial barrier function in an organoid model and hyaluronan (∼35 kDa) protects via a layilin dependent mechanism Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-08-24 Samreen Jatana, Amina Abbadi, Gail A. West, András K. Ponti, Manuel B. Braga-Neto, Jordyn L. Smith, Armando Marino-Melendez, Belinda Willard, Laura E. Nagy, Carol de la Motte
Metabolic syndrome and diabetes in obese individuals are strong risk factors for development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. The pathogenic mechanisms of low-grade metabolic inflammation, including chronic hyperglycemic stress, in disrupting gut homeostasis are poorly understood. In this study, we sought to understand the impact of a hyperglycemic environment on intestinal
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Fibronectin isoforms promote postnatal skeletal development Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-08-17 Neha E.H. Dinesh, Nissan Baratang, Justine Rosseau, Ronit Mohapatra, Ling Li, Ramshaa Mahalingam, Kerstin Tiedemann, Philippe M. Campeau, Dieter P. Reinhardt
Fibronectin (FN) is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix glycoprotein essential for the development of various tissues. Mutations in FN cause a unique form of spondylometaphyseal dysplasia, emphasizing its importance in cartilage and bone development. However, the relevance and functional role of FN during skeletal development has remained elusive. To address these aspects, we have generated conditional
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Collagen VIII in vascular diseases Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-08-16 Qian Li, Yin Tintut, Linda L. Demer, Roberto I. Vazquez-Padron, Michelle P. Bendeck, Jeffrey J. Hsu
Collagens have dual functions in the extracellular matrix (ECM), acting as both structural components and signaling molecules in matricellular communication. Although collagen molecules share a common triple helix motif, the supramolecular organization helps classify them into nearly 30 different types of collagens. Collagen type VIII is a non-fibrillar, short-chain, network-forming collagen that is
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Involvement of lysophosphatidic acid-LPA1-YAP signaling in healthy and pathological FAPs migration Matrix Biol. (IF 4.5) Pub Date : 2024-08-15 Alexia Bock-Pereda, Meilyn Cruz-Soca, Felipe S. Gallardo, Adriana Córdova-Casanova, Cristian Gutierréz-Rojas, Jennifer Faundez-Contreras, Jerold Chun, Juan Carlos Casar, Enrique Brandan
Skeletal muscle fibrosis is defined as the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and is a hallmark of muscular dystrophies. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are the main source of ECM, and thus have been strongly implicated in fibrogenesis. In skeletal muscle fibrotic models, including muscular dystrophies, FAPs undergo dysregulations in terms of proliferation, differentiation