Collagen and associated proteoglycan core proteins in extracellular matrix

The "Collagen and associated proteoglycan core proteins in extracellular matrix" target refers to the primary structural scaffold of the interstitial space and basement membranes, often termed the "ECM core" [1]. This complex is composed of various collagen types (predominantly I, III, and IV) and small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) such as decorin and biglycan, which together dictate tissue mechanics and regulate cell behavior [2]. In healthy physiology, these proteins provide tensile strength and serve as a reservoir for signaling molecules; however, their pathological accumulation is the defining feature of fibrosis in organs like the liver, lungs, and kidneys [3]. In the tumor microenvironment, a dense collagenous stroma (desmoplasia) acts as a physical barrier to drug delivery and a biochemical promoter of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis [4]. Therapeutic interventions targeting this matrix include direct enzymatic degradation using collagenases for localized fibrotic conditions, and systemic inhibitors of collagen synthesis or cross-linking (e.g., LOX/LOXL2 inhibitors) for broader fibrotic diseases [5]. Monitoring these components via serum biomarkers like PRO-C3 or C-telopeptides is increasingly used in clinical trials to assess the efficacy of anti-fibrotic and anti-stromal therapies [6]. Sources: [1] Frantz, C., et al. (2010). "The extracellular matrix at a glance." Journal of Cell Science. [2] Iozzo, R. V., & Schaefer, L. (2015). "Proteoglycan form and function." Matrix Biology. [3] Henderson, N. C., et al. (2020). "Fibrosis: from mechanisms to medicines." Nature. [4] Winkler, J., et al. (2020). "Concepts of extracellular matrix remodelling in cancer." Nature Communications. [5] Martinez-Salgado, C., et al. (2021). "Targeting the Extracellular Matrix in Fibrosis." International Journal of Molecular Sciences. [6] Karsdal, M. A., et al. (2017). "The biochemistry of the extracellular matrix." Academic Press.

Other names

Extracellular matrix coreMatrisome coreFibrillar collagen and proteoglycan complexECM structural scaffold

Direct enzymatic degradation of collagen fibrils, inhibition of TGF-beta-mediated collagen synthesis, and inhibition of lysyl oxidase-mediated cross-linking.