Open AccessThe extracellular matrix and blood vessel formation: not just a scaffold
Author(s) -
Rhodes John M.,
Simons Michael
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2007.00031.x
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , microbiology and biotechnology , blood vessel , scaffold , matrix (chemical analysis) , extracellular , signalling , cell signaling , chemistry , signal transduction , biology , biophysics , biomedical engineering , medicine , chromatography , endocrinology
• Introduction • ECM: composition and structure ‐ Collagen ‐ Laminin ‐ Fibronectin ‐ Elastin ‐ Nidogen ‐ Glycosaminoglycans ‐ Perlecan ‐ Syndecans ‐ Receptors for ECM molecules• Evaluation of ECM molecules and their modulators in vessel formation ‐ Determination of essential ECM components of vessel formation ‐ Collagen‐I and laminins are important for vessel structural integrity and provide contrasting signals in angiogenesis ‐ The function of collagens in the blood vessel basement membrane ‐ Laminin α4 is a key molecule in basement membrane assembly, microvessel stability and maturation ‐ Fibronectin is essential for vascular development ‐ Perlecan and syndecans modulate growth factors in angiogenesis‐ Fragments of ECM proteins regulate angiogenic processes ‐ Proteins involved in signalling through ECM molecules ‐ Thrombospondins ‐ CCN proteins• ECM signalling in vessel formation: what next?Abstract The extracellular matrix plays a number of important roles, among them providing structural support and information to cellular structures such as blood vessels imbedded within it. As more complex organisms have evolved, the matrix ability to direct signalling towards the vasculature and remodel in response to signalling from the vasculature has assumed progressively greater importance. This review will focus on the molecules of the extracellular matrix, specifically relating to vessel formation and their ability to signal to the surrounding cells to initiate or terminate processes involved in blood vessel formation.