Unusual Suspects: Bone and Cartilage ECM Proteins as Carcinoma Facilitators.

ABSTRACT: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the complex three-dimensional network of fibrous proteins and proteoglycans that constitutes an essential part of every tissue to provide support for normal tissue homeostasis. Tissue specificity of the ECM in its topology and structure supports unique biochemical and mechanical properties of each organ. Cancers, like normal tissues, require the ECM to maintain multiple processes governing tumor development, progression and spread. A large body of experimental and clinical evidence has now accumulated to demonstrate essential roles of numerous ECM components in all cancer types. Latest findings also suggest that multiple tumor types express, and use to their advantage, atypical ECM components that are not found in the cancer tissue of origin. However, the

SUBMITTER: Sorvina A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9913341 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature