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Review
. 2014 Jul:37:1-14.
doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2014.07.005. Epub 2014 Jul 24.

Revisiting the matricellular concept

Joanne E Murphy-Ullrich  1 , E Helene Sage
Affiliations
Review

Revisiting the matricellular concept

Joanne E Murphy-Ullrich et al. Matrix Biol. 2014 Jul.

Abstract

The concept of a matricellular protein was first proposed by Paul Bornstein in the mid-1990s to account for the non-lethal phenotypes of mice with inactivated genes encoding thrombospondin-1, tenascin-C, or SPARC. It was also recognized that these extracellular matrix proteins were primarily counter or de-adhesive. This review reappraises the matricellular concept after nearly two decades of continuous investigation. The expanded matricellular family as well as the diverse and often unexpected functions, cellular location, and interacting partners/receptors of matricellular proteins are considered. Development of therapeutic strategies that target matricellular proteins are discussed in the context of pathology and regenerative medicine.

Keywords: CCN; Cell adhesion; Extracellular matrix; Fibulin; Hevin; Matricellular; Osteopontin; Periostin; R-spondin; Regenerative medicine; SPARC; Tenascins; Thrombospondins.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Matricellular proteins in multiple extracellular, cell membrane, and intracellular locations regulate cell function and ECM organization. This cartoon depicts the complexity of matricellular protein interactions with cell receptors and other interacting macromolecules in multiple extracellular and intracellular compartments and the resulting cellular functions regulated by these interactions. This diagram is not meant to be comprehensive, but it is intended to highlight examples of actions of matricellular proteins.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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