title: Extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling in development and disease.
abstract: The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves diverse functions and is a major component of the cellular microenvironment. The ECM is a highly dynamic structure, constantly undergoing a remodeling process where ECM components are deposited, degraded, or otherwise modified. ECM dynamics are indispensible during restructuring of tissue architecture. ECM remodeling is an important mechanism whereby cell differentiation can be regulated, including processes such as the establishment and maintenance of stem cell niches, branching morphogenesis, angiogenesis, bone remodeling, and wound repair. In contrast, abnormal ECM dynamics lead to deregulated cell proliferation and invasion, failure of cell death, and loss of cell differentiation, resulting in congenital defects and pathological processes including tissue fibrosis and cancer. Understanding the mechanisms of ECM remodeling and its regulation, therefore, is essential for developing new therapeutic interventions for diseases and novel strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research and Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pengfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takai
authors.forename: Valerie M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Zena
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Werb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases