Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2025

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment
10:39

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment

Published on: May 24, 2022

2.5K

The extracellular matrix and immunity: breaking the old barrier in cancer

Maulik Vyas1, Shadmehr Demehri1

  • 1Center for Cancer Immunology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Trends in Immunology
|May 8, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The extracellular matrix (ECM) in solid tumors can block anti-cancer immune cells. Discoidin domain receptor 1-mediated collagen assembly was found to prevent T cells from entering tumors, impacting cancer immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical component of the tumor microenvironment in solid cancers.
  • The role of the ECM in modulating antitumor immunity is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of ECM components on T cell infiltration in solid tumors.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which ECM influences antitumor immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of collagen assembly mediated by discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1).
  • Assessment of T cell exclusion from tumors in relation to ECM composition.

Main Results:

  • Discoidin domain receptor 1-mediated collagen assembly was shown to actively exclude T cells from the tumor core.
  • These findings indicate that ECM plays a direct role in regulating immune cell trafficking within tumors.

Conclusions:

  • The ECM is an active regulator of antitumor immunity, not merely a structural scaffold.
  • Targeting ECM-mediated collagen assembly could be a potential strategy to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.

More Related Videos

Fibroblast-Derived 3D Matrix System Applicable to Endothelial Tube Formation Assay07:21

Fibroblast-Derived 3D Matrix System Applicable to Endothelial Tube Formation Assay

Published on: December 26, 2019

7.6K
Analyzing the Communication Between Monocytes and Primary Breast Cancer Cells in an Extracellular Matrix Extract ECME-based Three-dimensional System10:55

Analyzing the Communication Between Monocytes and Primary Breast Cancer Cells in an Extracellular Matrix Extract ECME-based Three-dimensional System

Published on: January 8, 2018

11.2K

Related Concept Videos

The Extracellular Matrix01:29

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...
9.5K
Extracellular Matrix01:26

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...
3.6K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.8K
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

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...
7.6K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

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...
2.8K
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM01:23

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult...
2.6K