The extracellular matrix in inflammation and cancer - PubMed
5 days ago
- #Cancer
- #Immunotherapy
- #Extracellular Matrix
- The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and environmental cues to cells.
- ECM composition includes fibrous proteins, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), proteoglycans, and glycoproteins.
- Inflammatory cytokines and proteases like MMPs remodel the ECM in cancer.
- Cytokines such as TNF, interleukins, and TGF-β modulate ECM expression and promote tumor survival.
- Dysregulated ECM components interact with immune cell receptors, suppressing immune function in tumors.
- ECM remodeling influences immune cell behavior, including T cell exhaustion and macrophage polarization.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting ECM-mediated immunosuppression are explored to enhance cancer immunotherapy.