The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of proteins and proteoglycans organized in an active three-dimensional structure continuously undergoing renewal and repair to provide adequate support and regulate tissue homeostasis. Typically, cells' attitudes are tissue and environment dependent: the conditions that cells face and sense through their surface receptors are key regulators of their own behaviour, also contributing to their microenvironment modification. Intriguingly, mechanical inputs like tension, contraction, compression, and shear stress can be translated by cells into biochemical signals. this is called “mechanotransduction” and is responsible for a plethora of cellular activities/biological processes cascades like molecular activation, cell adhesion, proliferation and migration, stem cell differentiation, wound healing, and cancer progression.

It is well established that physio-pathological events may alter ECM remodelling, leading to modification of tissue structural and mechanical properties (increased rigidity, modified nano topography). Above all, age affects cellular mechanotransduction signalling processes that involve cell adhesion, cytoskeleton modification, and nuclear-related signals. Typically, sensing and transduction of mechanical inputs become less efficient along with ageing.

A broad description of “typical” ECM characteristics (microscopic anatomy, ultrastructure, molecular profile, mechanics) in healthy tissues compared to ones modified by age and/or diseases may help understand cell-ECM interactions and cell behaviour. In particular, a new consciousness over cell-ECM dynamic crosstalk may lead to the improvement and discovery of new treatments, targeting aspects that are specifically dysregulated by different conditions.

This Research Topic will welcome contributions of Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory covering basic, translational and clinical research on age-related mechanisms influencing ECM characteristics with a focus on the mechanobiological impact on disease progression. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Modification of tissue structure, ultrastructure, nano topography and mechanics along with age
• Tissues matrisome description and modification
• Development of in vitro/in vivo models of disease and evaluation of stem cells behaviour in the pathological context
• Sex-related differences in ECM along with age and/or inflamed environment
• The influence of diseased tissues ECM secretome on stem cells' immunomodulatory properties
• Target proteins in age-related diseases

Submit your idea

Impact

Frontiers in Medicine

Submit your idea

Impact