Knowledge of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential to understand cellular differentiation, tissue development, and tissue remodeling. This volume of the series “Biology of Extracellular Matrix” provides a timely overview of the structure, regulation, and function of the major macromolecules that make up the extracellular matrix. It covers topics such as collagen types and assembly of collagen-containing suprastructures, basement membrane, fibronectin and other cell-adhesive glycoproteins, proteoglycans, microfibrils, elastin, fibulins and matricellular proteins, such as thrombospondin. It also explores the concept that ECM components together with their cell surface receptors can be viewed as intricate nano-devices that allow cells to physically organize their 3-D-environment. Further, the role of the ECM in human disease and pathogenesis is discussed as well as the use of model organisms in elucidating ECM function.

Extracellular Matrix contains the proceedings of the symposium ""The Extracellular Matrix,"" sponsored by the Michigan Molecular Institute and held in Midland, Michigan, on June 28-July 2, 1982. The papers explore the role played by the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the physiology of a cell, particularly in the regulation of cellular phenotypes, differentiation, and proliferation. The progress made in isolating and defining the chemistry and functional interactions of the ECM components is discussed, along with the biology of the ECM. This book is comprised of 52 chapters and begins with an introduction to the ECM, with emphasis on the question of whether the malignant process can be defined in a cell culture model, and in particular, whether the pericellular matrix is characteristically altered in cancer. The discussion then turns to the structure of the heparan sulfate proteoglycans and the molecular mechanisms responsible for the association of these molecules with the surfaces of cultured cells. Subsequent chapters focus on the chemistry of ECM components such as collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and adhesive glycoproteins, along with their functional interactions, biosynthesis, turnover, and degradation. The final section is devoted to the diseased states of ECM. This monograph should serve as a valuable reference for biochemists as well as undergraduate and graduate students of biochemistry.

Methods in Extra Cellular Matrix, Volume 142, a new volume in the Methods in Cell Biology series, continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. Unique to this updated volume are sections devoted to Elastin, Quantification of collagen and elastin, Fibrillins, Lysyl oxidase, Fibulins, Matrilins, Hyaluronic Acid, Small leucine-rich proteoglycans, Syndecans, Fibronectin, SPARC, Thrombospondins, Tenascins, Collagen IV, Multi-photon analysis of ECM, Cell-derived extracellular matrices, Laminins, Fibrillar Collagens, Imaging ECM in developing embryos, Analysis of Matrix Degradation, Ultrastructural analysis of ECM, Versican and Large proteoglycans, and an ECM crosslink analysis. This series covers a wide array of topics about the extracellular matrix, including an understanding of crucial proteins and glycoproteins components of ECM. - Contains contributions from experts in the field from across the world - Covers a wide array of topics on the extracellular matrix, including an understanding crucial proteins and the glycoproteins components of ECM - Includes analysis based topics, such as quantification of collagen and elastin, mulit-photon analysis of ECM and ECM crosslink analysis

In the ten-year interval since the first edition of this volume went to press, our knowledge of extracellular matrix (ECM) function and structure has enor mously increased. Extracellular matrix and cell-matrix interaction are now routine topics in the meetings and annual reviews sponsored by cell biology societies. Research in molecular biology has so advanced the number of known matrix molecules and the topic of gene structure and regulation that we won dered how best to incorporate the new material. For example, we deliberated over the inclusion of chapters on molecular genetics. We decided that with judicious editing we could present the recent findings in molecular biology within the same cell biology framework that was used for the first edition, using three broad headings: what is extracellular matrix, how is it made, and what does it do for cells? Maintaining control over the review of literature on the subject of ECM was not always an easy task, but we felt it was essential to production of a highly readable volume, one compact enough to serve the the student as an introduction and the investigator as a quick update on graduate the important recent discoveries. The first edition of this volume enjoyed con hope the reader finds this edition equally useful. siderable success; we D. Hay Elizabeth vii Contents Introductory Remarks 1 Elizabeth D. Hay PART I. WHAT IS EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX? Chapter 1 Collagen T. F. Linsenmayer 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2. The Collagen Molecule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2. 1. Triple-Helical Domain(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Second Edition of The Extracellular Matrix FactsBook has been completely revised, updated and expanded by over 50 percent. It contains over 85 entries on the diverse group of macromolecules that assemble toform the extracellular matrix. Entries provide information on molecular structure, isolation, primary structure, structural and functional sites, gene structure, database accession numbers, and key references.Key Features* Compiled by members of one of the foremost centers of matrix biochemistry in the world* Contains over 30 new entries, with all previous entries being revised and updated* Includes new entries on proteinases involved in the deposition of the extracellular matrix* Presents 3D ribbon diagrams in cases where the protein structure is now known

Over the last decades cell biology and biological chemistry have increasingly turned their attention to the space between cells and revealed an elaborate network of macromolecules essential for structural support, cell adhesion and signaling. This comprehensive handbook of the extracellular matrix will give an overview of the current state of knowledge of matrix components (structure and function), their role in heath and disease (matrix pathobiology) and new aspects related to pharmacological targeting. It will provide an introduction to the extracellular matrix and detailed sections and chapters on: Importance of extracellular matrix in health and disease Matrix proteoglycans (aggrecan, versican, perlecan, SLRPs, syndecans, glypicans, serglycin) Matrix proteinases (remodeling, would healing, regulatory roles in health and disease, metalloproteinases, cystein proteases, plasmin and plasminogen activator system) Glycobiology (hyaluronan and sulfated glycosaminoglycans in cancer, inflammation and metabolic control) Collagens (supramolecular assembly, proteins binding collagen, scaffolds, bacterial and mutated collagens, procollagen proteinases) Cell surface receptors (integrins, syndecans, mechanical strain and TGFb, CD44 and DDR). Biotechnological and pharmacological outlook (matrix regulation by growth factors, hyaluronidases, pathobiology, disease targeting, delivery systems, EMT and proteomics). "The book Extracellular Matrix: Pathobiology and Signaling provides a comprehensive and up to date collection of very relevant topics for understanding the various facets of extracellular matrix and its interactions with cells in normal tissue as well as in disease. It represents the current front-line and will serve as a reference for extracellular matrix and posttranslational modifications." Dick Heinegård, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Section Rheumatology, Lund University, Sweden

Structure and Function of the Extracellular Matrix: A Multiscale Quantitative Approach introduces biomechanics and biophysics with applications to understand the biological function of the extracellular matrix in health and disease. A general multiscale approach is followed by investigating behavior from the scale of single molecules, through fibrils and fibers, to tissues of various organ systems. Through mathematical models and structural information, quantitative description of the extracellular matrix function is derived with tissue specific details. The book introduces the properties and organization of extracellular matrix components and quantitative models of the matrix, and guides the reader through predicting functional properties. This book integrates evolutionary biology with multiscale structure to quantitatively understand the function of the extracellular matrix. This approach allows a fresh look into normal functioning as well as the pathological alterations of the extracellular matrix. Professor Suki's book is written to be useful to undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers interested in the quantitative aspects of the extracellular matrix. Researchers working in mechanotransduction, respiratory and cardiovascular mechanics, and multiscale biomechanics of tendon, cartilage, skin, and bone may also be interested in this book. - Examines the evolutionary origins and consequences of the extracellular matrix - Delivers the first book to quantitatively treat the extracellular matrix as a multiscale system - Presents problems and a set of computational laboratory projects in various chapters to aid teaching and learning - Provides an introduction to the properties and organization of the extracellular matrix components

This volume provides a state-of-art-report on the new methodologies in tissue engineering and developments in the biomaterials field based on the extracellular matrix-relevant discovery. Extracellular Matrix for Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials opens with an overview of the latest extracellular matrix research and in Part I, focuses on its biology and its role on cell behavior and cell fate relevant for the design of biomimetic surfaces. Part II details issues regarding the strategies currently applied in the research of biologically inspired materials and material systems for the replacement, repair and regeneration of tissues and organs. Part III presents the latest development methods applying knowledge from biology towards nanotechnology, to promote the restoration of the functionality of a living tissue. The book ranges from fundamental biology associated with tissue regeneration for the development of biomimetic approaches to controlling tissue formation, cell function, differentiation and angiogenesis using factors involved in normal tissue development and function. With the breadth and depth of the coverage of this topic, this book will serve as a valuable reference for anyone working in tissue engineering or biomaterials – from scientists, chemists and biologists through physicists, bioengineers and clinicians.

Extracellular matrix proteins are serious, common human diseases that are caused by mutations in genes that encode these proteins. This has spurred a great number of researchers to study the extracellular matrix, sometimes by choice and sometimes by necessity. Much progress has been made in the last decade towards understanding what matrix proteins do and how cells interact with and respond to them. Volume 15 is a compilation of reviews by experts in their respective fields. The chapters in this book address the biology of a broad spectrum of extracellular matrix molecules and their functions in development and disease. This book has been designed to focus on a diverse subset of matrix proteins that have been shown to be important for development, function, and disease. The book therefore both presents a broad view of the field and provides crucial details about some of the best-studied matrix molecules. * Written by leaders in the field * Discusses the potential of matrix components to be used as therapeutic tools for the treatment and prevention of cancer * Offers a section on integrin signaling and the development of the central nervous system, detailing the migration of neurons and the glia * Covers a diverse array of molecules such as laminins, collagens, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, integrins, and more