Extracellular matrix: A dynamic microenvironment for stem cell niche
By F. Gattazzo, A. Urciuolo, P. Bonaldo. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2014
1,216 citations recorded by the source corpus.
Background Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex environment characterized by biophysical, mechanical and biochemical properties specific for each tissue and able to regulate cell behavior. Stem cells have a key role in the maintenance and regeneration of tissues and they are located in a specific microenvironment, defined as niche. Scope of review We overview the progresses that have been made in elucidating stem cell niches and discuss the mechanisms by which ECM affects stem cell behavior. We also summarize the current tools and experimental models for studying ECM–stem cell interactions. Major conclusions ECM represents an essential player in stem cell niche, since it can directly or indirectly modulate the maintenance, proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Several ECM molecules play regulatory functions for different types of stem cells, and based on its molecular composition the ECM can be deposited and finely tuned for providing the most appropriate niche for stem cells in the various tissues. Engineered biomaterials able to mimic the in vivo characteristics of stem cell niche provide suitable in vitro tools for dissecting the different roles exerted by the ECM and its molecular components on stem cell behavior. General significance ECM is a key component of stem cell niches and is involved in various aspects of stem cell behavior, thus having a major impact on tissue homeostasis and regeneration under physiological and pathological conditions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Matrix-mediated cell behaviour and properties.
Subfields: Cell Biology, Immunology and Allergy, Surgery
View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/5020f48cd530421c24c3ce998cd526eedd16bd90
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In Cell Biology
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- Cameron G Walker
- R. Hynes
- Armando E. del Río Hernández
- Peter Friedl
In Immunology and Allergy
- Alexandra Naba
- Steven A. Carr
- E. Mojares
- Karl R. Clauser
- Cameron G Walker
- R. Hynes
- Armando E. del Río Hernández
- Peter Friedl
Citations in the corpus
- The Extracellular Matrix: Tools and Insights for the “Omics” Era (2015, background): “In addition, the ECM is a fundamental component of stem cell niches [90,91].”
- Role of Extracellular Matrix in Development and Cancer Progression (2018, background): “This is especially important in maintaining the phenotype of cells and in physiological processes such as wound healing, angiogenesis, and bone remodelling [6,119,120].”