extracellular matrix Archives

Probing cancer cell invasion

Mar. 1, 2022—The rigidity of the extracellular matrix that surrounds cells impacts the contractile and invasive properties of head and neck cancer cells.

New window on fibrosis

Aug. 8, 2019—A previously unrecognized role for a cell surface receptor may open new therapeutic options for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.

Cardiac dysfunction in DMD

Mar. 28, 2019—The protein MMP7 is elevated in blood from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who have cardiac dysfunction, suggesting that it may be a biomarker for heart disease severity.

Mar. 17, 2016—The rigidity of the microenvironment around cancer cells drives invasive behavior through distinct ROCK signaling pathways, which could guide the development of specific anti-invasive therapies.

Targeting bone metastasis

Jul. 23, 2015—The rigidity of the bone extracellular matrix increases the ability of tumor cells to destroy bone, suggesting new targets for anticancer drug development.

Enzyme affects tumor metastasis

Jan. 8, 2015—A protein that degrades the “matrix” between cells participates in the development of lung metastases from primary breast cancer in mouse models and may be a good target for breast cancer treatment.

Cellular forces aid tumor invasion

May. 22, 2014—The contractile machinery inside tumor cells increases invasive properties, suggesting it might be a good target to inhibit cancer cell spread.

Matrix remodeling and insulin resistance

Apr. 10, 2014—The extracellular matrix that surrounds cells plays a role in the development of insulin resistance.

Matrix member key to insulin resistance

Jun. 6, 2013—A component of the extracellular matrix that surrounds cells plays a role in insulin resistance and may be a good therapeutic target.

Clues to skeletal form in ‘feelgood’ fish

Dec. 16, 2011—Ela Knapik, associate professor of medicine, and colleagues are using zebrafish to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms that cause birth defects of the face and skeleton.