Extracellular matrix: The proteins that function throughout the body

Abstract

The idea and meetings that planned this issue focused on extracellular matrix (ECM) started over 4 years ago. The invitations were sent to investigators over 2 years ago and manuscripts have been submitted, reviewed, and edited since the summer and fall of 2018. Most of the manuscripts were published in early view in 2019, and we are thrilled to share the final collection. This volume contains 6 reviews, 13 original research papers, and 4 remembrances. Marion (Emmy) Gordon and I organized the articles into seven topic areas, including ECM structure, genetics, and development; cancer; vascular structures and development; inflammation and wound healing; collagen in special structures; cornea and other ocular tissues; and extracellular vesicles. Anat Rec, 303:1509Rec, 303: -1513Rec, 303: , 2020 This special issue of The Anatomical Record explores the many roles of extracellular matrix (ECM), highlighting the work of investigators that study subjects ranging from development, to gene expression, to how the cornea maintains transparency, to how cells use extracellular vesicles (EVs) to communicate. Without the ECM, students would have less anatomy to study because tissue organization, cartilage, bones, or blood vessels would not exist. Fortunately, ECM is in nearly all animals, including the most primitive. ECM can be used to study evolution, development, wound healing, cancer, angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, fibrosis, and cell-cell communication. Our bones, muscles, blood vessels, and other organs are built from and supported by ECM molecules, enabling our bodies to perform specific functions that give us great freedom to walk, talk, and see our world. ECM molecules do not act alone but are found in supramolecular structures that may include growth factors and soluble and insoluble proteins. The fibrillar components include collagens, laminins, elastin, and fibronectin, while the nonfibrillar components include growth factors, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans. Cells that populate the ECM are either the cells that produce the matrix molecules or transient cells that preside in ECM for short periods of time to facilitate bodily functions and repair injured tissue. This issue is divided into seven topic sections, including ECM structure, genetics and development, cancer, vascular structures and development, inflammation and wound healing, collagen in special structures, cornea and other ocular tissues, and EVs.An exploration of the ECM ultrastructure (cover, Keene and Tufa, 2020) comparing traditional fixation and embedding to high-pressure freeze-substitution (HPFS) is the first contribution to the special issue. The HPFS

circ-Amotl1 in extracellular vesicles derived from ADSCs improves wound healing by upregulating SPARC translation

“…Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), also known as osteonectin or BM-40, is a prototype of the biologically active glycoprotein family that can bind to cells as well as to ECM components [ 6 ]. A prior study has reported a promoting role of SPARC in fibroblast migration, which facilitates granulation tissue formation, contributing to wound repair [ 7 ].…”

The World Outside the World Inside: The Anatomical Record Explores the Extraordinary Realm of the Extracellular Matrix

“…This Special Issue instead offers a broad overview, covering reviews and leading science exploring what the guest editors have grouped in seven major areas: (1) ECM overall structure, its genetics, and development; (2) advances in cancer; (3) vascular elements and ECM involvement in development; (4) inflammation and wound healing; (5) the role of collagen in special structures; (6) studies on ocular tissues, especially the cornea; and (7) extracellular vesicles. To accomplish this lofty task, the guest editors have gathered an array of international experts on the various, and varied, areas who collectively offer a comprehensive view of the many inhabitants of the ECM (Svoboda and Gordon, 2020, this volume).…”