Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.Composition of the Extracellular MatrixThe extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse molecules.

The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...

Extracellular Matrix

Extracellular Matrix

Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Transforming surgery through biomaterial template technology.

British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005)·2016

Same author

A prospective, randomized, multicenter trial of Surgisis Gold, a biologic prosthetic, as a sublay reinforcement of the fascial closure after open bariatric surgery.

Surgery·2014

Same author

Rapid biofabrication of tubular tissue constructs by centrifugal casting in a decellularized natural scaffold with laser-machined micropores.

Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine·2008

Same author

Effects of sterilization on an extracellular matrix scaffold: part I. Composition and matrix architecture.

Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine·2007

Same author

Effects of sterilization on an extracellular matrix scaffold: part II. Bioactivity and matrix interaction.

Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine·2007

Same author

Tissue engineering a clinically useful extracellular matrix biomaterial.

International urogynecology journal and pelvic floor dysfunction·2006

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Production of Extracellular Matrix Fibers via Sacrificial Hollow Fiber Membrane Cell Culture

Production of Extracellular Matrix Fibers via Sacrificial Hollow Fiber Membrane Cell Culture

Published on: February 2, 2019

Extracellular matrix as a bioactive material for soft tissue reconstruction.

¹Cook Biotech Incorporated, West Lafayette, Indiana 47906, USA. hodde@cookbiotech.com

ANZ Journal of Surgery

|January 4, 2007

Summary

Extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterials, like Surgisis, promote natural tissue repair and restoration. Their unique 3D structure facilitates constructive remodeling and healing, unlike synthetic materials.

More Related Videos

Design and Construction of Artificial Extracellular Matrix (aECM) Proteins from Escherichia coli for Skin Tissue Engineering

Design and Construction of Artificial Extracellular Matrix (aECM) Proteins from Escherichia coli for Skin Tissue Engineering

Published on: June 11, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Production of Extracellular Matrix Fibers via Sacrificial Hollow Fiber Membrane Cell Culture

Production of Extracellular Matrix Fibers via Sacrificial Hollow Fiber Membrane Cell Culture

Published on: February 2, 2019

Design and Construction of Artificial Extracellular Matrix (aECM) Proteins from Escherichia coli for Skin Tissue Engineering

Design and Construction of Artificial Extracellular Matrix (aECM) Proteins from Escherichia coli for Skin Tissue Engineering

Published on: June 11, 2015

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Tissue Engineering
Regenerative Medicine

Background:

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in tissue healing after injury or disease.
Natural ECM-derived biomaterials offer a promising approach for soft tissue repair and restoration.
Understanding the ECM's role is key to developing effective prosthetic materials.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of ECM-derived biomaterials, specifically Surgisis, in promoting soft tissue repair.
To compare the tissue response to natural ECM-based meshes with synthetic materials.
To discuss the clinical application of ECM-assisted tissue remodeling in hernia repair.

Main Methods:

Utilized Surgisis, a biomaterial derived from natural ECM.
Investigated the 3D organization of extracellular components within the biomaterial.
Analyzed tissue response, including angiogenesis and progenitor cell recruitment, in the context of clinical hernia repair.

Main Results:

Surgisis biomaterial facilitates constructive tissue remodeling, promoting healthy tissue proliferation.
The 3D structure of ECM-derived mesh supports tissue integrity and restoration.
ECM-assisted remodeling leads to beneficial outcomes such as angiogenesis and progenitor cell recruitment, contrasting with scar tissue formation from synthetic materials.

Conclusions:

ECM-derived biomaterials like Surgisis are effective in directing soft tissue healing and restoration.
The unique structural properties of natural ECM meshes promote constructive remodeling over scar formation.
These findings support the use of biologic meshes in clinical applications such as hernia repair.