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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...

Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM

Collagens are the Major Structural Proteins of ECM

Three main types of fibers are secreted by fibroblasts: collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers. Collagen fiber is made from fibrous protein subunits linked together to form a long, straight fiber. Collagen fibers, while flexible, have great tensile strength, resist stretching, and give ligaments and tendons their characteristic resilience and strength. These fibers hold connective tissues together, even during the body's movement.
Connective tissue proper includes loose...

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

Type IV collagen is a 400 nm long, network-forming collagen that acts as a barrier between the epithelial and endothelial cells. Type IV collagen forms the backbone of the basement membrane by scaffolding with laminin, entactin, proteoglycans, and fibronectin. Apart from rendering structural support to the basement membrane, it also helps entail signaling potentials necessary for both pathological and physiological functions.
A type IV collagen molecule has six alpha chains which can exist in...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue

Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue

Published on: October 12, 2013

Extracellular matrix composition and gene expression in collagenous colitis

T Aigner¹, D Neureiter, S Müller

¹Department of Pathology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.

Gastroenterology

|July 1, 1997

Summary

Collagenous colitis involves subepithelial bandlike structures rich in type VI collagen and tenascin. This suggests reduced matrix degradation, not increased synthesis, causes these changes in the extracellular matrix.

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Published on: April 9, 2019

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Pathology
Biochemistry

Background:

Collagenous colitis is a rare diarrheal disease with unknown causes.
Histology reveals characteristic subepithelial bandlike structures.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the biochemical makeup of subepithelial bands in collagenous colitis.
To investigate the origin of these bandlike structures.

Main Methods:

Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on endoscopic biopsy specimens.
Analysis using antibodies and riboprobes for collagen types I, III, IV, VI, and tenascin.

Main Results:

Subepithelial bands in collagenous colitis showed prominent staining for type VI collagen and tenascin.
Normal mucosal matrix composition was largely unaffected, except for the bands.
No significant increase in collagen type VI mRNA was observed in cells within the bands.

Conclusions:

Collagenous colitis represents a localized extracellular matrix alteration, involving the pericryptal-subepithelial myofibroblast sheath.
Subepithelial matrix accumulation is likely due to reduced matrix degradation rather than increased synthesis.