Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Cancer

This book describes how extracellular matrix components (ECM) create a niche for tumor formation. It also discusses the contribution of ECM components and their respective receptors in the development and spread of cancer.

Cancer was thought to originate from alterations in intercellular signaling that resulted in the transformation of cells, their uncontrolled proliferation and metastasis. There is now an increasing body of evidence demonstrating that the surrounding matrix and cell-matrix interactions are also major players in this process. Cells adhere and receive signals from various extracellular matrices via transmembrane receptors, the best known of which are the heterodimeric glycoproteins, integrins.

Will discuss how integrins and extracellular matrix components control cancer initiation, progression and metastasis Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Klappentext

Cells require interactions with extracellular matrix (ECM) components in order to undergo normal morphogenesis with respect to organogenesis. ECM plays a significant role in regulating numerous cellular functions, like cell shape, adhesion, migration, proliferation, polarity, differentiation and apoptosis. In pathological conditions such as cancer, increased synthesis of certain ECM components and/or increased breakdown with consequent generation of ECM cleavage products can contribute to cancer growth and progression. That many growth factors (i.e. FGF, VEGF) are stored in the ECM milieu and are released upon protease-dependent cleavage further confirms the importance of ECM in regulating cell functions.

Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Cancer describes how ECM creates a niche for tumor formation and the contribution of ECM components and their respective receptors in the development and spread of cancer.

Inhalt
The Extracellular Matrix: An Overview.- Integrin Structure and Function.- Cancer in Context: Importance of the Tumor Microenvironment.- Basement Membrane Collagens and Cancer.- Laminins and Cancer Progression.- Fibronectins and Their Receptors in Cancer.- Vitronectin-Binding Integrins in Cancer.- The Function of SPARC in Tumor Cell Biology: SPARC as a Modulator of CellExtracellular Matrix Interaction.- Proteoglycans and Cancer.- Tetraspanins in Cancer.- The Role of Integrin-Linked Kinase in Cancer Development and Progression.- Focal Adhesion Kinase with the Interacting Proteins and Signaling in Cancer.