Extracellular matrix components and cell-surface extracellular matrix receptors (ECM/ECM receptors)

The extracellular matrix (ECM) and its associated cell-surface receptors constitute a dynamic structural and functional network essential for tissue integrity and cellular signaling [1]. The ECM is composed of various macromolecules, including fibrous proteins like collagen and elastin, and specialized glycoproteins such as fibronectin and laminin, which provide the physical scaffolding for tissues [2]. Cell-surface receptors, primarily the integrin family, link the ECM to the intracellular cytoskeleton, facilitating mechanotransduction and regulating processes like cell survival, proliferation, and migration [3]. In pathological states, such as cancer and fibrosis, the ECM undergoes significant remodeling, leading to increased stiffness and altered signaling that promotes disease progression [1,3]. Therapeutic interventions targeting this system include integrin antagonists used in cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, as well as enzymes designed to modify the matrix composition in conditions like Dupuytren's contracture [4]. This broad target class represents a critical interface for drug development, focusing on both the structural components and the signaling pathways they activate.

Other names

Extracellular matrixECMMatrisomeCell-matrix adhesion moleculesECM receptors

Drugs targeting this system primarily act by antagonizing cell-surface receptors, such as integrins, to inhibit cell adhesion, migration, and signaling [4]. Other agents involve the enzymatic degradation of specific ECM components, such as collagen or hyaluronan, to alter tissue architecture or facilitate drug penetration [1].