Muscle extracellular matrix (mECM)

The muscle extracellular matrix (mECM) is a complex, multi-layered scaffold composed of collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans that provides essential structural support and biochemical signaling for skeletal muscle fibers. It is organized into the endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium, which facilitate force transmission and maintain the satellite cell niche required for muscle regeneration (Gillies & Lieber, 2011, Muscle & Nerve). In pathological states such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and sarcopenia, the mECM undergoes maladaptive remodeling, leading to excessive collagen deposition (fibrosis) that impairs muscle function and limits the efficacy of cell and gene therapies (Thomas et al., 2015, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle). Therapeutic strategies targeting the mECM focus on inhibiting pro-fibrotic mediators like TGF-beta and CTGF or utilizing decellularized ECM scaffolds to promote tissue repair (Morales et al., 2018, Frontiers in Physiology). While the mECM is a broad tissue component rather than a single molecular target, its regulation is a critical frontier in treating neuromuscular diseases and age-related muscle loss.

Other names

Skeletal muscle ECMMyomatrixEndomysiumPerimysiumEpimysium

Inhibition of pro-fibrotic signaling (e.g., TGF-beta, CTGF), modulation of matrix metalloproteinase activity, and replacement of structural components.