Cell-surface proteins and extracellular matrix

Cell-surface proteins and extracellular matrix (ECM) refers to a broad biological category encompassing the molecules that facilitate the structural and functional interface between a cell and its environment. This grouping includes a diverse array of cell-surface receptors, such as integrins and cadherins, as well as the complex network of ECM components like collagens, laminins, and proteoglycans (Alberts et al., 2002; Hynes, 2009). These molecules are essential for maintaining tissue integrity and mediating critical cellular processes, including adhesion, migration, and survival signaling (Frantz et al., 2010). In pathological states such as cancer and systemic fibrosis, the ECM is often remodeled to promote tumor invasion or lead to progressive organ dysfunction (Winkler et al., 2020). Because this term represents a high-level biological grouping or pathway (e.g., Reactome R-HSA-1474244) rather than a single molecular entity, it is not considered a specific therapeutic target in isolation. Instead, it serves as a framework for understanding how various drugs, such as integrin antagonists or matrix-remodeling enzymes, interact with the cellular microenvironment to treat disease (Lu et al., 2012).

Other names

Cell surfaceomeExtracellular matrix componentsCell-matrix interfaceCell surface and ECM interactionsReactome: R-HSA-1474244

Modulation of cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions through the inhibition of adhesion receptors or the enzymatic degradation and remodeling of matrix components.