Review
Version 1
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The Extracellular Matrix: Composition, Function, Remodeling and Its Role in Tumorigenesis
Version 1
: Received: 26 January 2023 / Approved: 30 January 2023 / Online: 30 January 2023 (11:16:38 CET)
How to cite: Dzobo, K.; Dandara, C. The Extracellular Matrix: Composition, Function, Remodeling and Its Role in Tumorigenesis. Preprints 2023, 2023010555. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202301.0555.v1 Dzobo, K.; Dandara, C. The Extracellular Matrix: Composition, Function, Remodeling and Its Role in Tumorigenesis. Preprints 2023, 2023010555. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202301.0555.v1
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a ubiquitous member of the body and is key to the maintenance of tissues and organs integrity. Initially thought to be a by-stander in many cellular processes, the extracellular matrix has been shown to have diverse components that regulate and activate many cellular processes and ultimately influence cell phenotype. Importantly, the ECM composition, architecture, and stiffness/elasticity influence cellular phenotypes. Under normal conditions and during development, the synthesized ECM is constantly undergoing degradation and remodeling processes via the action of matrix proteases that maintain tissue homeostasis. In many pathological conditions including fibrosis and cancer, the ECM synthesis, remodeling, and degradation is dysregulated causing its integrity to be altered. Both physical and chemical cues from the ECM are sensed via receptors including integrins and play key roles in driving cellular proliferation and differentiation and in various disease progression such as cancers. Advances in ‘omics’ technologies have seen an increase in studies focussing on bi-directional cell-matrix interactions and here we highlight emerging knowledge on the role played by the ECM during normal development and in pathological conditions. This review summarizes current ECM-targeted-therapies that can modify tumor ECM to overcome drug resistance and better cancer treatment.
Keywords
Extracellular matrix; Tissues; Organs; Development; Tumor progression; Collagens; Fibronectin; Integrins; Metastasis; Matrix metalloproteases; Cell Adhesion; Signaling
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Cell and Developmental Biology
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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