Extracellular matrix and tissue surfaces (ECM)

The extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue surfaces represent a complex network of macromolecules, including proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans, that provide structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells (NCBI, 2023). Beyond its role as a physical scaffold, the ECM is a dynamic environment that regulates cell behavior through signaling pathways, growth factor sequestration, and mechanical cues (PubMed, 2022). It consists of two main forms: the interstitial matrix and the basement membrane, each with distinct compositions and functions (Nature Reviews, 2021). In many diseases, such as cancer and fibrosis, the ECM undergoes significant remodeling, characterized by excessive deposition or degradation of its components, which facilitates disease progression and metastasis (PubMed, 2021). Therapeutic strategies targeting the ECM include the use of enzymes to break down excessive matrix, such as collagenase for Dupuytren's contracture or hyaluronidase to increase drug permeability (StatPearls, 2023). Additionally, drugs like bevacizumab interact with growth factors like VEGF that are often sequestered within the ECM (NIH, 2023). Other approaches involve inhibiting matrix-remodeling enzymes like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to prevent tissue destruction in inflammatory diseases (PubMed, 2020). Understanding the ECM's composition and its interaction with drugs is crucial for developing treatments for conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to chronic wounds.

Other names

ECMInterstitial matrixBasement membraneConnective tissue matrixPericellular matrix

Drugs targeting the extracellular matrix typically act by enzymatically degrading specific structural components (e.g., collagen or hyaluronan), sequestering growth factors stored within the matrix, or inhibiting the enzymes responsible for matrix remodeling and cross-linking.