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Dynamic interactions between cells and their extracellular matrix mediate embryonic development
Author(s) -
Goody Michelle F.,
Henry Clarissa A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.21157
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , context (archaeology) , matrix (chemical analysis) , cell , embryonic stem cell , computational biology , genetics , chemistry , gene , paleontology , chromatography
Cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix microenvironment interact throughout all stages of life. Understanding the continuously changing scope of cell‐matrix interactions in vivo is crucial to garner insights into both congenital birth defects and disease progression. A current challenge in the field of developmental biology is to adapt in vitro tools and rapidly evolving imaging technology to study cell‐matrix interactions in a complex 4‐D environment. In this review, we highlight the dynamic modulation of cell‐matrix interactions during development. We propose that individual cell‐matrix adhesion proteins are best considered as complex proteins that can play multiple, often seemingly contradictory roles, depending upon the context of the microenvironment. In addition, cell‐matrix proteins can also exert different short versus long term effects. It is thus important to consider cell behavior in light of the microenvironment because of the constant and dynamic reciprocal interactions occurring between them. Finally, we suggest that analysis of cell‐matrix interactions at multiple levels (molecules, cells, tissues) in vivo is critical for an integrated understanding because different information can be acquired from all size scales. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 475–488, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.