Exploring the extracellular matrix in health and disease using proteomics

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Proteomics

Background:

• The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and regulates cellular functions.
• Dysregulation of ECM composition is implicated in various diseases like cancer and fibrosis.
• Limited understanding of global ECM composition in pathological states hindered biomarker and therapeutic target discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in mass spectrometry-based proteomics for ECM profiling.
• To highlight the utility of these methods in analyzing ECM changes in normal and diseased tissues.
• To underscore the ECM's potential as a source of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Overview of updated sample preparation techniques for ECM isolation.
• Discussion of mass spectrometry-based proteomics for deep ECM profiling.
• Application of these methods to diverse tissue types, including tumors and fibrotic lesions.

Main Results:

• Methodological advances enable comprehensive profiling of ECM protein composition.
• Proteomic analysis has been successfully applied to dozens of normal and diseased tissues.
• The ECM's altered composition in pathological conditions is increasingly being elucidated.

Conclusions:

• Proteomics offers powerful tools to investigate ECM changes in disease.
• Understanding ECM alterations can identify novel prognostic biomarkers.
• The ECM presents promising avenues for developing new therapeutic strategies.