The extracellular matrix plays an essential role in controlling tissue homeostasis and maintaining cell health.
The healthy ECM
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the bioactive acellular environment that provides structural and biochemical support to cells within human tissues and organs. The 3D network is comprised of approximately 300 proteins including collagen, glycoproteins and enzymes, known as the core matrisome.
As well as providing essential physical scaffolding for the cellular constituents, the ECM regulates crucial biochemical and biomechanical processes required for tissue morphogenesis, differentiation and homeostasis.
In view of these vital functionalities, we believe that to achieve meaningful results in target and drug discovery, it is crucial to incorporate the ECM into in vitro research models.
Adapted from Bonnans C. et al. Nature Reviews, 2014
The ECM in disease
As a dynamic structure, the ECM is constantly being remodelled. Genetic and/or environmental triggers can induce changes to the composition, regulation, and structure of the ECM in the affected organ, resulting in the pathophysiology associated with ECM-related genetic diseases, fibrosis and cancers. Therefore, the proteins that constitute and regulate the remodelling of the ECM represent promising therapeutic targets.
Our proprietary, patient-centric ECM discovery platform enables scientists to investigate the full role of the ECM in human disease and design disruptive therapeutic strategies.
