The Role of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Pathogenesis: 2nd Edition
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 541
Special Issue Editor
Interests: osteopontin; cancers; autoimmune diseases; inflammation; chronic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases by contributing to tissue remodeling, cell signaling, and immune response modulation. The ECM is a complex network of proteins and other molecules that provides structural support and regulates cell behavior in tissues. In the context of disease pathogenesis, ECM proteins play crucial roles in various pathological processes. One of the key functions of ECM proteins is to maintain tissue integrity and architecture. Disruption or dysregulation of ECM proteins can lead to tissue remodeling, fibrosis, and impaired organ function. For example, in diseases like pulmonary fibrosis or liver cirrhosis, excessive deposition of ECM proteins, particularly collagens, disrupts the normal tissue architecture, resulting in organ dysfunction. Moreover, ECM proteins serve as signaling molecules and interact with cell surface receptors to modulate cellular behavior. A class of ECM receptors called integrins is essential for cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. Dysregulation of ECM–integrin interactions can contribute to the progression of cancer by promoting tumor cell invasion and metastasis. ECM proteins are also involved in inflammatory disorders like autoimmune disease. In conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory cells release enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade ECM proteins, leading to joint destruction and tissue damage. In contrast, excessive ECM protein deposition in chronic inflammatory diseases like atherosclerosis can cause plaque development and arterial stiffness. In summary, ECM proteins play multifaceted roles in disease pathogenesis. Their dysregulation disrupts tissue homeostasis, promotes inflammation, facilitates tumor progression, and contributes to fibrosis and cardiovascular disorders. Understanding the complex interplay between ECM proteins and disease processes is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies that target the ECM to alleviate disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
This Special Issue aims to bring together research articles and reviews that help to understand those still unknown molecular mechanisms of ECM proteins in the pathogenesis of diseases.
Dr. Davide Raineri
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- extracellular matrix proteins
- autoimmune disease
- cancer
- cardiovascular diseases
- inflammation
- chronic diseases
- human diseases
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