Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Glycoproteomics of the Extracellular Matrix: A Method for Intact Glycopeptide Analysis Using Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 21, 2017
Glycosaminoglycan disaccharide compositional analysis of cell-derived extracellular matrices using liquid
João C Silva1, Marta S Carvalho2, Ke Xia3
1Department of Bioengineering and iBB-Institute of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Biological Sciences and Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States.
Abstract:
Cell-derived extracellular matrices have emerged as promising scaffolds for tissue engineering (TE) strategies due to their ability to create a biomimetic microenvironment providing biochemical and physical cues to cells, without the limitations of availability and potential pathogen transmission associated with tissue-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are important components of ECM with a crucial role in the maintenance of the mechanical properties of the tissue and as signaling regulators of several cellular processes, such as cell adhesion, growth and differentiation. However, despite their relevance to the field of TE, little information is available on the GAG composition of cell-derived ECM, mainly due to the lack of appropriate quantitative tools to determine different GAG and disaccharide subtypes in complex biological samples. In this chapter, we describe a highly sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to characterize decellularized cell-derived ECM generated in vitro in terms of their GAG and disaccharide composition.
Related Concept Videos
Glycosaminoglycans
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...
Proteoglycans

