Abstract
The morphogenesis of the extracellular matrix requires the synthesis, assembly and deposition of collagen in a tissue specific manner. Collagen synthesis and molecular assembly occur within a series of well defined cytoplasmic compartments, while the assembly and deposition of collagen fibrils, fibril bundles and collagen macroaggregates occurs within a series of extracellular compartments. In the studies described here we focus our attention on the assembly of collagen molecules into fibrils, bundles and tissue specific macroaggregates.The fibroblast has a complex topography which serves to partition the extracellular space into distinct domains where the hierarchical stages in matrix assembly occur. The first recognizable extracytoplasmic domain is a narrow channel which originates deep within the cytoplasm and is open to the extracellular space. These narrow spaces contain single or sometimes 2-3 collagen fibrils and are intimately associated with secretory vacuoles. These channels fuse with each other and with the cell surface giving rise to the second level of compartmentalization and matrix hierarchy where fibrils coalesce to form bundles.
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Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America
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