All articles tagged with #extracellular matrix
A preclinical Northwestern study shows that postmenopausal estrogen loss, aging, and female sex drive degradation of the hippocampal extracellular matrix (ECM), weakening the brain's supportive scaffold and potentially increasing Alzheimer's risk in women; findings suggest therapies focused on ECM repair or brain estrogen signaling rather than solely clearing amyloid plaques.
New research shows humans can regrow fingertip tissue—bone, nerves, and skin—when injuries occur near the nail, driven by a soft, hyaluronic acid–rich extracellular matrix; experiments in mice demonstrate hyaluronic acid and ECM components are key to regenerative healing rather than scarring.
Researchers at Washington University have discovered that groups of cells can collectively sense their environment much farther than individual cells, which may help explain how cancer cells migrate and evade detection, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets.
Researchers used advanced imaging and machine learning to uncover the intricate, foam-like structure of the extracellular matrix in Volvox algae, revealing how simple cells coordinate to form complex, spherical multicellular organisms despite noisy individual behaviors, providing new insights into developmental biology.
A groundbreaking study suggests that reversing heart aging may be possible by modifying the extracellular matrix surrounding heart cells, rather than the cells themselves. The research highlights the importance of the heart's environment in aging and offers new avenues for treatment, alongside lifestyle tips like exercise, sleep, stress management, and a healthy diet to support heart health.
Scientists have developed a new hybrid biomaterial and model called DECIPHER to study how changes in the extracellular matrix affect heart aging, revealing that biochemical signals in the environment may play a more significant role than tissue stiffness. While promising, further research is needed before translating these findings into treatments, but lifestyle changes like exercise, healthy diet, quitting smoking, adequate sleep, weight management, and stress reduction can support heart health as we age.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed the Mouse Aging Proteomic Atlas, a comprehensive database mapping protein changes in major tissues of aging mice. This atlas reveals proteins linked to aging, particularly in the extracellular matrix, enhancing our understanding of molecular aging and identifying potential targets for preventing age-related diseases. The study provides valuable insights into age-related post-transcriptional dysregulation and its impact on protein expression across different tissues.
A study at the University of Haifa has discovered a connection between Parkinson's disease (PD) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the brain, marking a groundbreaking finding. The research found changes in the genes that encode ECM proteins among PD patients with genetic backgrounds and those with sporadic PD, shedding new light on the disease. This discovery could lead to a deeper understanding of PD and potential advancements in finding a cure.
A new study suggests that breast cancer cells consume the matrix surrounding them to obtain nutrients and support their growth, revealing a previously unknown mechanism of cancer cell survival. The cells take up and break down extracellular matrix through a process called macropinocytosis, and rely on the metabolic conversion of key amino acids to energy-releasing substrates. Targeting this process could represent a novel therapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment.
Perlecan, a protein that aids in stabilizing the extracellular matrix surrounding cells, plays a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of neurons, particularly the long branches called axons. The absence of Perlecan in Drosophila fruit flies led to the death of their connections or synapses. The research highlights the importance of Perlecan in understanding neuromuscular disorders like Schwartz-Jampel syndrome and how neurons develop and function.