Human cells unable to express decoron produced disorganized extracellular matrix lacking "shape modules" (interfibrillar proteoglycan bridges)
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Preparation of 3D Decellularized Matrices from Fetal Mouse Skeletal Muscle for Cell Culture
Published on: March 3, 2023
J E Scott1, K M Dyne, A M Thomlinson
1School of Biological Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The shapes of extracellular matrices are determined by positioning collagen fibrils in the right places, oriented and maintained viv-à-vis each other. The fibrils are linked orthogonally by dermatan/chondroitin sulfates or keratan sulfate (in small proteoglycans) attached every approximately 65 nm via their protein moieties to collagen fibrils at specific binding sites. These regular repeating structures are the "shape modules." The characteristic arrays of orthogonal interfibrillar bridges were missing and the extracellular matrix was totally disorganized in matrices produced by fibroblasts taken postmortem from skin of an electively aborted fetus which did not express decoron in culture, thus supporting the shape module hypothesis. Biglycon, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, collagen, and hyaluronan were produced by these cells but did not contribute to a normal extracellular matrix. A similar electron histochemical and biochemical survey of extracellular matrices produced by seven normal and eight osteogenesis imperfecta cell lines from donors of different ages and both sexes showed no comparable disruptions of their matrices. This investigation appears to be the first to demonstrate systematically proteoglycan:collagen interactions in matrices produced by cultured human cells.
Related Concept Videos
Extracellular Matrix
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
A...
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 Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
The Extracellular Matrix
Integrins
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins

