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The Extracellular Matrix

The Extracellular Matrix

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...

Functions of Connective Tissues

Functions of Connective Tissues

Connective tissues perform a broad range of functions in the body. Their primary function is to connect and link different tissues in the body and act as packaging material between tissues. The areolar tissue, a connective tissue prototype, commonly cements various tissue types in diverse body organs. In contrast, adipose tissue cushions internal organs while insulating the body from heat loss.
Hard connective tissues, such as bones and cartilage, provide structure and support to the body.

The Resting Membrane Potential

The Resting Membrane Potential

Resting Membrane Potential

Resting Membrane Potential

The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Cerebral Blood Flow-Based Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Human Brain using Optical Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy

Cerebral Blood Flow-Based Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Human Brain using Optical Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy

Published on: May 27, 2020

Changes in resting-state functional connectivity after stroke in a mouse brain lacking extracellular matrix

Miriana Jlenia Quattromani¹, Jakob Hakon¹, Uwe Rauch²

¹Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, BMC A13, 22184 Lund, Sweden.

Neurobiology of Disease

|January 26, 2018

Summary

This study reveals that mice lacking key extracellular matrix (ECM) components show altered brain network activity after stroke. While initially hindering recovery, ECM gene elimination may facilitate later functional plasticity and sensory-motor function restoration.

Keywords:

Extracellular matrix Functional connectivity Mice Perineuronal nets Stroke

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Genetics

Background:

Focal ischemia (stroke) disrupts brain networks and limits tissue reorganization due to inhibitory extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules.
Perineuronal nets (PNNs), formed by ECM components, ensheath inhibitory interneurons and influence sensory processing.
Downregulating PNNs promotes neural plasticity and functional recovery post-stroke, but the link to resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC) is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of lacking four key ECM components on neuronal networks and functional recovery after stroke.
To examine the relationship between ECM composition, brain functional connectivity, and behavioral outcomes post-stroke.

Main Methods:

Utilized a quadruple knock-out (Q4) mouse model lacking brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C, and tenascin-R.
Applied functional connectivity optical intrinsic signal (fcOIS) imaging before and after photothrombotic stroke (PT).
Assessed limb-placement ability using the paw-placement test at 2, 7, and 14 days post-stroke.

Main Results:

Q4 mice displayed significantly impaired homotopic resting-state functional connectivity (RS-FC), particularly in sensory and parietal regions.
RS-FC changes correlated with interhemispheric callosal crossings.
While infarct size was similar, Q4 mice showed higher early contralesional intrahemispheric RS-FC, potentially facilitating later sensory-motor recovery.

Conclusions:

Elimination of specific ECM genes in Q4 mice alters neuronal network function and plasticity post-stroke.
Q4 mice offer a valuable model for studying ECM's role in compromising neuronal function and facilitating recovery mechanisms.
The findings highlight the complex interplay between ECM, brain networks, and functional recovery after ischemic injury.