The extracellular matrix dimension of skeletal muscle development

Abstract

Cells anchor to substrates by binding to extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition to this anchoring function however, cell-ECM binding is a mechanism for cells to sense their surroundings and to communicate and coordinate behaviour amongst themselves. Several ECM molecules and their receptors play essential roles in muscle development and maintenance. Defects in these proteins are responsible for some of the most severe muscle dystrophies at every stage of life from neonates to adults. However, recent studies have also revealed a role of cell-ECM interactions at much earlier stages of development as skeletal muscle forms. Here we review which ECM molecules are present during the early phases of myogenesis, how myogenic cells interact with the ECM that surrounds them and the potential consequences of those interactions. We conclude that cell-ECM interactions play significant roles during all stages of skeletal muscle development in the embryo and suggest that this "extracellular matrix dimension" should be added to our conceptual network of factors contributing to skeletal myogenesis.

Extracellular matrix remodeling accompanies axial muscle development and morphogenesis in the mouse

“…We have extended those observations to other fibronectin receptors as well as tenascin receptors on the myocytes. The integrins avb3 and a9b1 are two receptors for tenascin and both avb3 and avb1 bind to fibronectin (Thorsteinsdóttir et al, 2011). Immunohistochemistry on frontal cryosections for av and a9, combined with MHC staining, shows that both these subunits are present in the mature somite already at DMM stage 2 onward (Fig.…”

“…Although it is well established that the ECM plays an important role in several steps of myogenesis, the picture of its interaction with cells of developing muscles is far from complete (Thorsteinsdóttir et al, 2011). To fully understand the role of the ECM during embryogenesis, it is essential to know the exact organization of this matrix in relation to the developing tissues.…”

“…Several laminins are essential for embryogenesis and their assembly is the first step of basement membrane formation and also a prerequisite for the incorporation of the other basement membrane components (Smyth et al, 1999;Miner and Yurchenco, 2004;Yurchenco and Patton, 2009;Durbeej, 2010). Laminin 111 and 511 are part of the basement membrane of the epithelial somites, dermomyotome, and myotome (Bajanca et al, 2006;Anderson et al, 2009;Thorsteinsdóttir et al, 2011). Laminin 211 and 221 are expressed later and are the major laminins of the skeletal muscle basement membrane (Cachaço et al, 2005;Durbeej, 2010).…”

The combination of glycosaminoglycans and fibrous proteins improves cell proliferation and early differentiation of bovine primary skeletal muscle cells

“…Muscle growth is governed by its micro-environment, consisting of e.g. surrounding cells, vascular system and the extracellular matrix (ECM) (reviewed in Thorsteinsdottir et al, 2011). The most basic role of ECM is to provide a supportive scaffold for cells, promoting cell aggregation and migration.…”

“…Collagen is the most abundant fibrous protein, and constitutes∼30% of the total protein mass of a multicellular animal (Frantz et al, 2010). Laminin, entactin, fibronectin and tenascins are other proteins that constitute the ECM (Thorsteinsdottir et al, 2011). In vitro, various ECM components of the muscle tissue influence the muscle cell behavior (Boonen et al, 2009;Wilschut et al, 2010).…”