Abstract
The existence of orderly structures, such as tissues and organs is made possible by cell adhesion, i.e., the process by which cells attach to neighbouring cells and a supporting substance in the form of the extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix is a three-dimensional structure composed of collagens, elastin, and various proteoglycans and glycoproteins. It is a storehouse for multiple signalling factors. Cells are informed of their correct connection to the matrix via receptors. Tissue disruption often prevents the natural reconstitution of the matrix. The use of appropriate implants is then required. This review is a compilation of crucial information on the structural and functional features of the extracellular matrix and the complex mechanisms of cell–cell connectivity. The possibilities of regenerating damaged tissues using an artificial matrix substitute are described, detailing the host response to the implant. An important issue is the surface properties of such an implant and the possibilities of their modification.
Highlights
The basement membrane forms a specific boundary of many organs in mature tissues, often surrounding their functional units [16,20–22]. It is mainly composed of type IV collagen, laminins, nidogens and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs): perlecan and agrin [21]
The proteoglycan family includes compounds, such as syndecans [97,98], serglycin [99–101], perlecan and agrin [102–107] and fibromodulin [108,109]
One of the representatives of fibrilinopathies is Marfan syndrome (MFS), caused by a mutation in the FBN1 gene located in chromosome 15, which encodes fibrillin-1 [257]
Summary
A cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of a living organism, capable of carrying out all basic life processes. The cells need an artificial scaffold that mimics the natural extracellular matrix and the properties of the regenerated tissue Such an implant should accelerate the healing process and, above all, not provoke a negative response from the body. The basement membrane forms a specific boundary of many organs in mature tissues, often surrounding their functional units [16,20–22] It is mainly composed of type IV collagen, laminins, nidogens and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs): perlecan and agrin [21]. The basement membrane contains so-called matricellular proteins that do not contribute to its physical stability or structural integrity, they may be connected to building components Instead, they have regulatory functions and interact with surface receptors, proteases, hormones or other biologically active molecules. Collagens are present in most body tissues and affect their mechanical properties, their distribution varies, e.g., type I collagen is characteristic of bone, skin and tendon, and type II collagen of cartilage tissue [55,56]
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