Matricellular Proteins: Functional Insights From Non-mammalian Animal Models

Concise Review: The Endothelial Cell Extracellular Matrix Regulates Tissue Homeostasis and Repair

“…Together this leads to the initial remodeling of the structural ECM network in the BM and allows for resynthesis of a new provisional EC matrix. This initial step in remodeling of the perivascular matrix is important to set the stage for tissue regeneration. Matricellular proteins, such as CCN (acronym of CYR61, connective tissue growth factor [CTGF], and NOV)‐family of proteins, TSP‐1 (thrombospondin‐1), tenascin‐C and SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) have been identified as components of the ECM during developmental processes and organogenesis (for review see Adams ). The term matricellular has been applied to this group of extracellular proteins that do not contribute directly to the formation of structural ECM elements but serve to modulate cell–matrix interactions and cell function.…”

“…Through integrin binding, CCN2 mediates vascular cell migration and proliferation and regulates endothelial BM formation. The general association of matricellular proteins with stem cell niches across species further suggests that matricellular proteins should be considered more closely for their potential role tissue regeneration . Finally, dynamic remodeling and chemical editing of the gel‐like glycocalyx envelope of endothelial cells occurs during injury and repair (Fig. ).…”

AJP-Cell Physiology starts a Theme of Reviews on “Tissue Remodeling: From Regeneration to Fibrosis”

“…This theme of Reviews highlights the roles of extracellular factors in tissue remodeling, with special attention to the matricellular group of extracellular matrix proteins. Matricellular proteins have modulatory roles in the extracellular milieu through binding interactions with cell-surface receptors and structural extracellular matrix proteins including collagens and fibronectin, and may also localize or regulate the activity of growth factors or cytokines (1,7). Coordinated studies of gene-knockout mice and cultured cells have revealed complex mechanisms by which individual members of the matricellular family have important roles in stem cell physiology and/or homeostatic tissue remodeling, or act to either restrain or drive fibrotic processes.…”

As time flies by: Investigating cardiac aging in the short-lived Drosophila model

“…Extracellular matrix and matricellular proteins (for brevity in this review, collectively termed ECM) are a large family of evolutionarily conserved proteins contributing to the structure and function of multicellular organisms [79]. The matrix proteins help form a structural "scaffold" that supports cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, whereas the matricellular proteins contribute to the formation of the scaffold but do not integrate into it.…”