Extracellular matrix and tissue surface proteins (ECM proteins)

The extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue surface proteins represent a diverse collection of macromolecules that provide essential structural scaffolding and biochemical signaling cues to cells within tissues (NCI, 2023). This broad category includes structural fibers such as collagens and elastins, adhesive glycoproteins like fibronectin and laminin, and cell-surface receptors such as integrins that bridge the intracellular and extracellular environments (Hynes & Naba, 2012). These proteins are fundamental to biological processes including cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation, as well as the regulation of growth factor bioavailability (Theocharis et al., 2016). In pathological states, the ECM undergoes significant remodeling; for instance, excessive deposition leads to fibrosis, while enzymatic degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) facilitates tumor metastasis (Lu et al., 2012). While the category itself is too broad to be a single therapeutic target, specific components are targeted by various drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies against integrins or enzymes that degrade collagen (StatPearls, 2023). Understanding the matrisome is crucial for developing therapies that can selectively modify the tissue microenvironment in chronic diseases (Naba et al., 2016).

Other names

Extracellular matrixMatrisomeCell surface proteinsECM componentsIntercellular matrix

Inhibition of cell-matrix adhesion, enzymatic degradation of matrix components, modulation of integrin signaling, and blockade of surface receptor-ligand interactions.