Extracellular matrix: A dynamic microenvironment for stem cell niche☆

There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Abstract

Background

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex environment characterized by biophysical, mechanical and biochemical properties specific for each tissue and able to regulate cell behavior. Stem cells have a key role in the maintenance and regeneration of tissues and they are located in a specific microenvironment, defined as niche.

Scope of review

We overview the progresses that have been made in elucidating stem cell niches and discuss the mechanisms by which ECM affects stem cell behavior. We also summarize the current tools and experimental models for studying ECM–stem cell interactions.

Major conclusions

ECM represents an essential player in stem cell niche, since it can directly or indirectly modulate the maintenance, proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Several ECM molecules play regulatory functions for different types of stem cells, and based on its molecular composition the ECM can be deposited and finely tuned for providing the most appropriate niche for stem cells in the various tissues. Engineered biomaterials able to mimic the in vivo characteristics of stem cell niche provide suitable in vitro tools for dissecting the different roles exerted by the ECM and its molecular components on stem cell behavior.

General significance

ECM is a key component of stem cell niches and is involved in various aspects of stem cell behavior, thus having a major impact on tissue homeostasis and regeneration under physiological and pathological conditions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Matrix-mediated cell behaviour and properties.

Highlights

•

Stem cells have a key role in the maintenance and regeneration of tissues.
•

The extracellular matrix is a critical regulator of stem cell function.
•

Stem cells reside in a dynamic and specialized microenvironment denoted as niche.
•

The extracellular matrix represents an essential component of stem cell niches.
•

Bioengineered niches can be used for investigating stem cell–matrix interactions.

Related collections

Most cited references 158

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Mechanisms and functional implications of adult neurogenesis.

Chunmei Zhao, Wei Deng, Fred Gage (2008)

The generation of new neurons is sustained throughout adulthood in the mammalian brain due to the proliferation and differentiation of adult neural stem cells. In this review, we discuss the factors that regulate proliferation and fate determination of adult neural stem cells and describe recent studies concerning the integration of newborn neurons into the existing neural circuitry. We further address the potential significance of adult neurogenesis in memory, depression, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

0 comments Cited 856 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Designing cell-compatible hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Dror Seliktar (2012)

Hydrogels are polymeric materials distinguished by high water content and diverse physical properties. They can be engineered to resemble the extracellular environment of the body's tissues in ways that enable their use in medical implants, biosensors, and drug-delivery devices. Cell-compatible hydrogels are designed by using a strategy of coordinated control over physical properties and bioactivity to influence specific interactions with cellular systems, including spatial and temporal patterns of biochemical and biomechanical cues known to modulate cell behavior. Important new discoveries in stem cell research, cancer biology, and cellular morphogenesis have been realized with model hydrogel systems premised on these designs. Basic and clinical applications for hydrogels in cell therapy, tissue engineering, and biomedical research continue to drive design improvements using performance-based materials engineering paradigms.

0 comments Cited 490 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Geometric cues for directing the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Kristopher A. Kilian, Branimir Bugarija, Bruce T. Lahn … (2010)

Significant efforts have been directed to understanding the factors that influence the lineage commitment of stem cells. This paper demonstrates that cell shape, independent of soluble factors, has a strong influence on the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow. When exposed to competing soluble differentiation signals, cells cultured in rectangles with increasing aspect ratio and in shapes with pentagonal symmetry but with different subcellular curvature-and with each occupying the same area-display different adipogenesis and osteogenesis profiles. The results reveal that geometric features that increase actomyosin contractility promote osteogenesis and are consistent with in vivo characteristics of the microenvironment of the differentiated cells. Cytoskeletal-disrupting pharmacological agents modulate shape-based trends in lineage commitment verifying the critical role of focal adhesion and myosin-generated contractility during differentiation. Microarray analysis and pathway inhibition studies suggest that contractile cells promote osteogenesis by enhancing c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular related kinase (ERK1/2) activation in conjunction with elevated wingless-type (Wnt) signaling. Taken together, this work points to the role that geometric shape cues can play in orchestrating the mechanochemical signals and paracrine/autocrine factors that can direct MSCs to appropriate fates.

0 comments Cited 487 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

All references

Author and article information

Contributors

Anna Urciuolo

Paolo Bonaldo

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Biochim Biophys Acta

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Title: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta

Publisher: Elsevier Pub. Co

ISSN (Print): 0006-3002

Publication date PMC-release: 1 August 2014

Publication date (Print): August 2014

Volume: 1840

Issue: 8

Pages: 2506-2519

Affiliations

Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy

Author notes

[* ]Corresponding authors. Tel.: + 39 049 8276084; fax: + 39 049 8276079. annaurciolo@ 123456hotmail.com bonaldo@ 123456bio.unipd.it

[1]

These authors contributed equally to this work.

Article

Publisher ID: S0304-4165(14)00012-9

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2014.01.010

PMC ID: 4081568

PubMed ID: 24418517

SO-VID: 4835317c-2e52-4693-8f3b-970cee103770

History

Date received : 5 November 2013

Date revision received : 5 January 2014

Date accepted : 6 January 2014

Comments

Comment on this article

scite_

Cited by 380

See all cited by

Most referenced authors 3,370

See all reference authors

- Version 1