Extracellular matrix in the CNS

Key Molecules and Pathways Underlying Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Integrated Analysis on Gene Expression Profiles of Motor Neurons

“…Accounting for over 10% of the total volume of the brain between neurons and glia cells, ECM is essential in maintaining the normal functions of the central nervous system (CNS) (Benarroch, 2015). The basement membrane rich in collagen type IV, fibronectin, and laminin contributes to the integrity of brain-blood barrier (BBB), while other ECM molecules, including hyaluronic acid and multiple proteoglycans, were secreted to form ECM and perineuronal and perisynaptic nets in the extracellular space (Dityatev et al, 2010;Benarroch, 2015). Functional research has also revealed the roles of ECM in neural stem cell behavior, axonal growth, and myelination and synaptogenesis (Barros et al, 2011).…”

“…Encoded by FN1 gene, fibronectin is a kind of glycoprotein abundant in the basement membrane during embryogenesis and pathological angiogenesis in a wide range of tissues (Mongiat et al, 2016;Edwards and Bix, 2019). Fibronectin secreted by proliferating neurons and astrocytes is notably responsive in multiple neurologic disorders (Benarroch, 2015). The upregulation of fibronectin and its receptors, α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins in cerebral ischemia suggested the positive role of angiogenesis (Li et al, 2012).…”

Mimicking the Brain Extracellular Matrix in Vitro: A Review of Current Methodologies and Challenges

“…The ECM is distributed throughout the brain and has been shown to fulfil the following functions, which are crucial in both homeostasis and disease: 1) creating a biological scaffold for the structure of the central nervous system (CNS); [30,31] 2) creating a physical barrier to reduce the diffusion of soluble and membrane-associated molecules; 3) controlling the biomechanical properties of the CNS through specific molecular interactions; [28] 4) creating a microenvironment that facilitates cell migration, differentiation, axonal outgrowth, [32] and synaptogenesis during nervous system development; [33][34][35] 5) preventing abnormal remodelling of the neuronal network, [23,36] thereby supporting synaptic stability in repair after an injury, mainly in the adult nervous system; 6) maintaining the shape development of the nervous system [11,[33][34][35] by controlling the production and distribution of growth and differentiation factors (e. g., nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)), providing points of anchorage to the cells, and modulating cellular growth and survival.…”

“…[46] The two main groups of PGs in the CNS are chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and HSPGs. [36,47,48] CSPGs. Lecticans (or hyalectans) are the most abundant secreted CSPGs.…”

Systems Biology, Neuroimaging, Neuropsychology, Neuroconnectivity and Traumatic Brain Injury

“…However, the basic schematic shown in Figure 5 (adapted in part from Marklund and Hillered, 2011 ; Gandy et al, 2014 ; Ling et al, 2015 ) shows not only the neuron, but glia including the oligodendrocyte derived myelin along with capillaries that are as small and delicate as the neural structures they feed and with which they functionally interact. There is also the extracellular matrix whose role is only becoming known, but equally important and probably involved in the pathological effects of TBI as well (Benarroch, 2015 ). Parenchymal damage from trauma affects all of these cellular components and fortunately, MRI has a differential capability in detecting different tissue types and related pathology.…”