This document provides an overview of the extracellular matrix (ECM). It begins with an introduction defining the ECM and its main structural organizations of basal lamina and connective tissue. The main objectives and components of the ECM are then outlined, including glycosaminoglycans and fibrous proteins. Specific ECM components like hyaluronan, collagen, and elastin are described in more detail regarding their structure and function. Diseases associated with defects in ECM production and structure are also discussed.

1. Addis Ababa University
School of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmacology
Molecular Cell Biology
Presentation on Extracellular Matrix
Prepared by:
Birhanu Geta: GSR/3036/08
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January 2016

2. Outline
Introduction about ECM
 Structural organization
Basal lamina & connective tissue
 Function
Main components of ECM
Glycosaminoglycan
 Structure & function
Fibrous proteins
 Structure & function
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3. Objectives
At the end of this session you will be able to:
 Define what ECM is
 Identify the components of ECM
 Explain different functions of ECM
 Differentiate diseases associated with ECM
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4. “Half of the secret of the cell is outside the
cell.”
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Dr. Mina Bissell
Oct. 17, 2007
Erlanger Auditorium

5. Introduction
What Is The Extracellular Matrix???
A network of proteins & proteoglycans found out side the cell
Complex arrangement of molecules filling spaces b/n cells
Not an amorphous jelly or glue but highly organised structure
Diverse structures created by different amounts & organisation
of ECM components
e.g. bone vs cornea

6. ECM…
ECM is a local product for local cells
Cells secrete ECM that is finally assembled outside the cell
 Many ECMs built by fibroblasts: chondroblasts, osteoblasts
 Examples of ECM:
 basal lamina,
 connective tissue,
 cartilage, teeth, bone,
 plant/fungi cell walls, myelin sheath
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7. Structure of ECM
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Organized in two main ways:
 Connective tissue
 Basal lamina (basement membranes)

8. Functions of ECM
Provide physical support(structural)
Regulate the behavior of the cells that touch it, inhabit it, or
crawl through its meshes: tissue architecture
Influence their survival, development, migration, proliferation,
shape, polarity & function

9. Basal lamina
 Thin: 4-120 nm thick
 Synthesized by cells on each side of it
 Underlie all epithelia & surround some non epithelial cell types
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10. Functions of basal lamina
Critical role in the architecture of an organ
Mechanical connection between epithelia & underlying
connective tissue
Scaffold for tissue regeneration
 Selective filtration: Glomerulus
 Selective barrier to cell movement
 Spatial organization of the components of the neuromuscular
junction
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11. Molecular structure of the basal lamina
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 Glycosaminoglycans: perlecan
 Fibrous proteins: Laminin, type IV collagen, nidogen

12. Laminin is a primary component of the basal lamina:
 Primary organizer of the sheet structure
 Composed of 3 chains held together by disulfide bonds
 Self-assembles through interactions of the head groups
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13. Cells interact with ECM via matrix receptors
 Integrins: transmembrane heterodimers that link to the
cytoskeleton
 Transmembrane proteoglycans
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14.  Interaction of cells with ECM via integrins leads to a
variety of critical behaviors
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15. 13:57 15

16. Integrins involved in pathogenesis of other diseases
 Cancer: tumor progression
 Role in infectious diseases: can provide a means for viral
entry
 Autoimmune diseases: recruitment of leukocytes
Multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease
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17. Connective tissue
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18. Components of the ECM
 Glycosaminoglycans: polysaccharide chains usually found
attached to proteins to form proteoglycans
 Fibrous proteins: collagens, fibronectin…
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Green-protein
Red-GAG

19. Components of ECM…
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
 Un-branched acidic polysaccharides that consist of repeating
disaccharide units
 Contain always an amino sugar, which in most cases is
sulphated and
 A uronic acid (hexose in which the C-6 is oxidized to a
carboxyl group): glucuronic or iduronic
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20. GAGs…
 Too stiff to fold up into the compact globular structures
 Strongly hydrophilic, form gels even at very low concentration
 Negatively charged, attract clouds of cations (Na+) that
induce an osmotic movement of water
 These hydrated gels resist compression (useful for joints).
 Differ in physical properties e.g. Size, flexibility, hydration
 They occur in long strings, often attached to proteins
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21. GAGs…
 Include
Hyaluronan: joint
Chondroitin sulfate: tensile strength; aorta, tendon, ligament
Heparan sulfate: angiogenesis, coagulation, tumor
metastastasis, other developmental processes
Keratan sulfate: lacks uronic acid; found in cornea, cartilage,
bone
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22. GAGs…
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23. GAGs…
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24. Hyaluronan/hyaluronic acid/hyaluronate
 Simplest GAG; major component of the ECM
 Regular repeating sequence of 25,000 disaccharide units
 No sulfated sugars
 Not linked to a core protein
 Found in variable amounts in all tissues and fluids
 Spun out directly from the cell surface by an enzyme
complex embedded in the plasma membrane.
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25. Functions of hyaluronan
 Resisting compressive forces
 A space filler during embryonic development, where it can be
used to force a change in the shape of a structure, as a small
quantity expands with water to occupy a large volume
 Synthesized locally from the basal side of an epithelium can
deform the epithelium by creating a cell-free space beneath it,
into which cells subsequently migrate
 In the developing heart, helps to drive formation of the
valves and septa that separate the heart's chambers
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26.  FDA approved HA for cosmetic use in humans – 2003
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27. GAGs…
 Defects in the production of GAGs can affect many
different body systems.
 Deficiency in the synthesis of dermatan sulfate:
A rare genetic condition characterized by: short stature,
prematurely aged appearance, and generalized defects in
their skin, joints, muscles, and bones.
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28. Proteoglycans
 Made of both proteins and GAGs
 Differ in physical properties
 Synthesized in Golgi prior to secretion
 Have structural roles, can also bind to hormones e.g.,
inflammatory chemokines, FGF, TGFb to alter cell signaling
pathways
 Includes: decoran, aggrecan (the main component of
cartilage)
 Decorin “decorates” collagen fibrils
 Decorin knock-out mouse has irregular collagen fibril
formation
 skin – lax and fragile
 tendons have abnormal structure
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29. Aggrecan
 One of the largest macromolecules, consisting of a core
protein with GAGs attached to form a feather-like
appearance.
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30. Aggrecan…
 Has serine-rich core protein & chondroitin sulfate & keratan
sulfate chains
 Its core protein is very large but also binds many (different)
GAGs (shown in red)
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31. Aggrecan aggregates
 Aggrecan is the major glycoprotein of articular cartilage
 Provides hydrated gel structure that endows cartilage with
load-bearing properties
 Chondroskeletal morphogenesis during development
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32. Signaling roles of proteoglycans
Regulate the activities of secreted proteins; proteases
 Gels formed by GAG chains act as “sieves” that regulate
passage of molecules by size and charge
 Control assembly & degradation of components of ECM;
collagen
 Bind secreted signalling molecules: growth factors
Control diffusion, range of action, lifetime, modify signalling
activity
Cell-surface proteoglycans act as co-receptors
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34. Collagen
 The major proteins of animal connective tissues
 Triple helical domain
 Repeated Gly - X - Y amino acid sequence, where X is often
proline and Y hydroxyproline
 <40 different collagen types containing polypeptides encoded
by 42 genes
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36. Collagen Biosynthesis
 Synthesized as pro-collagen monomers (pro-a collagen)
 Extensive post-translational modification
 Route: membrane bound ribosomes  ER  GA  Secretory
vesicles
 During this journey protein are glycosylated or decorated with
long GAG chains: hydroxylation & glycosylation
 Prior to secretion they self- assemble into trimers
 Upon secretion the trimers are processed by proteolytic
enzymes then assemble into fibrils
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39. Collagen fibers
 Collagen proteins (trimers) are then cross-linked to
form collagen fibers (stiff, not very elastic)
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40. Fibril-associated collagens (types IX & XII) differ from fibrillar
collagens (types I, II, III, V & XI);
1. Short non-helical domains disrupt triple helix, which makes
the molecules more flexible than fibrillary collagens
2. Not cleaved after secretion, retain their propeptides
3. Do not aggregate with one another to form fibrils, bind in a
periodic manner to the surface of fibrils formed by the
fibrillar collagens
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42. Collagen in disease
Vitamin C is necessary for proline hydroxlation:
 Defective pro-α chains fail to form triple helix
 Failure of collagen synthesis
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43. Collagen in disease…
 Fibrotic diseases with accumulation of ECM
 Liver Chirrosis
 Lung Fibrosis
 Collagen synthesis is mainly regulated by the level of gene
activity.
 Some growth factors such as TGF-b signal to increase collagen
synthesis.
 Enzymes in the collagen synthesis are investigated as drug
targets to treat fibrotic diseases
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44. Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Brittle bone disease (not to be
confused with osteoporosis)
 Mutation in one of type I collagen genes
 Weak bones fracture easily
 Glycine substitutions to another amino acid more severe than
mutations of X or Y in Gly - X - Y triplet
 Dominant negative effect of some mutations.
Mutations in Type II collagen: chondrodysplasias; abnormal
cartilage, which leads to bone and joint deformities.
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45.  Type-I collagen diseases: Osteogenesis imperfecta:
Inherited diseases with mutations in collagen genes
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46. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
 Defect in synthesis or structure of fibrillar collagen
(mutations have been found in collagen types I, III, V)
 Skin hyperextensibility, joint laxity, fragile skin and blood
vessels, poor wound healing
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47. Collagen VII defects cause blistering skin diseases
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48. Elastin
Proteins can provide elastic
properties: elastin
Majorly found in:
 Lung
 Blood vessels
 Skin
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49.  Elastin: a highly hydrophobic protein (about 750 AAs long),
rich in non glycosylated proline & glycine, 50% of dry wt of
aorta
 Soluble tropoelastin: precursor, is secreted into the extracellular
space and assembled into elastic fibers
 Elastic fibers contain elastin & microfibrills (fibrillin)
 Mutation in elastin gene: narrowing of aorta, excessive
proliferation of smooth muscle
 Mutation in fibrillin gene: marfan syndrome; rupture of aorta,
affected individuals are unusually tall & lanky(Abrham Lincoln)
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51.  Fibronectin is an extracellular protein that helps cells
attach to the matrix
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52. Control of ECM
 Cells control the synthesis of ECM by;
 altering gene expression, co-translational import & secretion
 Degradation by;
 Secreting & activating or inactivating extracellular enzymes
 Two classes of proteases; matrix metalloproteases, which
depend on bound Ca2+ or Zn2+ for activity; & serine
proteases, have a highly reactive serine in their active site
 Collagenase: specific protease
 Cooperate to degrade collagen, laminin & fibronectin
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53. Matrix Metalloproteases
 Cells that need to migrate must first break down connections
to the ECM (e.g tissue repair, division, metastasis of tumors)
 Cells tightly control degradation of matrix to prevent collapse:
 Local activation: secreted as inactive form (e.g. plasminogen
is inactive, modified by plasminogen activators when required)
 Confinement by cell-surface receptors: urokinase type
pkasminogen activator(uPA), bound to receptors on the
growing tip of axons & the lading edge of migrating cells
 Secretion of inhibitors: tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases
(TIMPs), serine protease inhibitors (serpins)
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54. MMPs in disease:
 Extensive matrix degradation in e.g. in periodontitis,
rheumatoid arthritis
 Tumour cell invasion and metastasis:
Carcinoma breaks basement membrane & invades
surrounding stroma
 MMP inhibitors tested for therapeutic use
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55. Summary
ECM structurally organized as basal lamina & connective tissue
Cell-matrix interactions important regulator of cell behaviour
Glycosaminoglycan & fibrous proteins are the main
components of ECM
Proteoglycans: decorin, aggrecan, heparin sulfate, condrotan
sulfate, keratan sulfate
Fibrous proteins: collagen, fibronectin, laminin
Matrix metalloproteinases degrade and re-model matrix
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56. References
1. Alberts et al. Molecular Biology of the cell. 5th edition. 2008.
p1169-1195
2. Alberts et al. Molecular Biology of the cell. 4th edition. 2002.
p2767-2840
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