Our
Extracellular Matrix is huge part of our bodies’ tissues. Although it was
thought of as a collection of non-living materials surrounding the cells that
just took up space, it is quite the opposite. Since 1975, we have
discovered that the Extracellular Matrix does much more than just take up
space. It has many important functions
including providing structural support, guiding cell movement, and determining
the look and function of tissues.
The Extracellular Matrix provides
structural support for the cells within tissues. It does this because of its lattice
structure. This lattice, or net-like,
structure is made up of many things, but the main and most common ingredients
of the structure are two fibrous proteins.
These two fibrous proteins are called collagen and laminin. The main backbone is the collagen which
creates something similar to a grid and laminin follows up and fills in the some
of the empty spaces creating a net that is hard for the cells to slip through.
 |
| Integrin going from non-active to active state due to Talin |
As I have said, the Extracellular
Matrix is very dynamic. Instead of just
surrounding the cells, it is constantly undergoing changes. This is mostly due to fibroblasts creating
more fibrous proteins to maintain and adapt the Extracellular Matrix to the tissue’s
needs. Other than this, the Extracellular
Matrix is dynamic in that it helps and guides cell movement. It
does this with integrins, a transmembrane protein that links the extracellular
matrix to the cells in the tissue.
Generally this happens when Talin inside the cell activates the two
tails of the integrins allowing it to bind with RGD loops. These RGD loops are usually found in
Fibronectin. By connecting,
disconnecting, and then reconnecting again with the RGD groups; a cell can make
its way across the Extracellular Matrix.
 |
| Proteoglycan Complex |
Another
one of the many important functions of the Extracellular Matrix is being able
to define the tissue it resides in. For
example, in bones, the Extracellular Matrix is mineralized creating the hard
tissue we need to create a sturdy skeleton.
However, in our eyes we need the Extracellular Matrix to create a
different kind of tissue. We need the Extracellular
Matrix to create a tissue that will be more like a gel and that is exactly what
it does. It creates a tissue that is
gel-like and contains a large concentration of water. This watery Extracellular Matrix is due to
more Proteoglycans being produced in the tissue which are able to transport and
contain water.
These functions of the Extracellular
Matrix just go to show that the Extracellular Matrix is more than just a
cluster of materials used to occupy extra space in tissues. They allow cells to move, create net-like
structure to aid in development, and are able to change and adapt their
respective tissue to excel in its location of the body.
Links to Sources
Link to Trailer
I'm surprised that the extra cellular matrix was only discovered in 1975 when it has the functions of structural support, guiding cell movement, and determining the look and functions of tissues. I was very curious about the guiding cell movement, because my organelles were the cilia and flagella whose main function was to move cells. I'm still not exactly sure how the ECM helps guide cell movement, but the way you explained it made me picture someone playing on the monkey bars. Grabbing, letting go, and regrabbing the next bar. I'm sure after you present I will get a better idea of how this function works though.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your blog post.This really reinforces what we learned in Anatomy and Phys. I too found it surprising that the discovery of the ECM was relatively later, especially because it hepls with the movement of cells. I wonder how they thought blood cells moved around the body befor the discovery... Also, is it that the integrin proteins connect the ECM to the net like lattice? I am sure there will eb more clerification when you gys present tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am also intrigued that much of the extra cellular matrix's function was discovered only 40 years ago. It just goes to show what other things may be discovered from our organelles in another 50 years. It is pretty cool how the ECM has the power to define the tissue it resides in. I never knew that the tissue in out eyes were more gel-like.
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't know that the extra cellular matrix had so many functions. Thanks for explaining how the ECM directs movement. The visual aid helped a lot as well. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteThis blog does a good job of giving the ECM ample credit. I think often times the ecm is left in the dark. However, if our cells didn't have the ability to move, a lot of reactions vital to our survival would not be able to occur. It's amazing that such a simple process of integrins and talins allow for such a complex action of movement in a cell.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be honest, I had never heard of the Extracellular Matrix before your presentation. Ok, I probably heard about it in Freshman Bio, but other than that I really had never heard about it. I thought you did a really good job explaining all of its different functions. I feel like with an organelle like this that does a lot of different things, it would be easy to make a confusing blog, but it was very easy to understand. I thought the most interesting part was that the Extracellular Matrix will change its form (mineralized, watery, etc) to fit the kind of tissue it's in.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the importance of ECM until I read your blog post. You guys did a great job explaining the many vital roles ECM has. I found it really interesting how the ECM helps in the flowing of various functions within the cell.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that it took us so long to discover this structure especially since it seems so vital to our cells' function. I found it particularly interesting how the extracellular matrix can identify what tissues it is near and adjust itself accordingly. For example be rigid in the skeleton and gel like in an eyeball.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this blog. I found it really interesting that the extracellular matrix is able to change with the different tissues it resides in. I think it’s really cool that the extracellular matrix can adapt to create the hard tissue we need in our bones.
ReplyDelete