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Extracellular Matrix Components and Mechanosensing Pathways in Health and Disease

Authors :
Aikaterini Berdiaki
Monica Neagu
Petros Tzanakakis
Ioanna Spyridaki
Serge Pérez
Dragana Nikitovic
Source :
Biomolecules, Vol 14, Iss 9, p 1186 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) are essential components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with pivotal roles in cellular mechanosensing pathways. GAGs, such as heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), interact with various cell surface receptors, including integrins and receptor tyrosine kinases, to modulate cellular responses to mechanical stimuli. PGs, comprising a core protein with covalently attached GAG chains, serve as dynamic regulators of tissue mechanics and cell behavior, thereby playing a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of GAG/PG-mediated mechanosensing pathways is implicated in numerous pathological conditions, including cancer and inflammation. Understanding the intricate mechanisms by which GAGs and PGs modulate cellular responses to mechanical forces holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting mechanotransduction pathways in disease. This comprehensive overview underscores the importance of GAGs and PGs as key mediators of mechanosensing in maintaining tissue homeostasis and their potential as therapeutic targets for mitigating mechano-driven pathologies, focusing on cancer and inflammation.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14091186 and 2218273X
Volume :
14
Issue :
9
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biomolecules
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5bcbfd6e34df4deb8828e0c2882ae890
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14091186