Basement membranes are delicate, nanoscale and pliable sheets of extracellular matrices
that often act as linings or partitions in organisms. Previously considered as passive …

The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes a highly dynamic three-dimensional structural
network comprised of macromolecules, such as proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans …

We provide a comprehensive classification of the proteoglycan gene families and respective
protein cores. This updated nomenclature is based on three criteria: Cellular and subcellular …

Bone is a highly vascularized tissue, and its development, maturation, remodeling, and
regeneration are dependent on a tight regulation of blood vessel supply. This condition also …

Completion of genome sequences for many organisms allows a reasonably complete
definition of the complement of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In mammals this “core …

Integrins are cell adhesion receptors that are evolutionary old and that play important roles
during developmental and pathological processes. The integrin family is composed of 24 αβ …

The permanent cellular constituents of the heart include cardiac fibroblasts, myocytes,
endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Previous studies have demonstrated …

Introduction• Perlecan: a pro‐angiogenic proteoglycan• Endorepellin, a C‐terminal fragment
of perlecan with anti‐angiogenic activity• Syndecans in cancer biology• Glypicans and the …

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for all stages of angiogenesis. In the adult,
angiogenesis begins with endothelial cell (EC) activation, degradation of vascular basement …

Advancements in the field of tissue engineering have led to the elucidation of physical and
chemical characteristics of physiological basement membranes (BM) as specialized forms of …