Assembly, stability and integrity of basement membranes in vivo.
Basement membranes are layered structures of the extracellular matrix which separate cells of various kinds from the surrounding stroma. One of the frequently recurring questions about basement membranes is how these structures are formed in vivo. Up to a few years ago, it was thought that basement membranes were formed spontaneously by a process of self-assembly of their components. However, it has now become clear that cell membrane receptors for basement membrane components are essential factors for the formation and stability of basement membranes in vivo. The present review highlights the modern concepts of basement membrane formation.
Quondamatteo
Fabio
F
Department of Histology, University of Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 36, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany.
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface