The extracellular matrix in development.

Kenneth M Yamada,David A Cruz Walma

doi:10.1242/dev.175596

Abstract

ABSTRACTAs the crucial non-cellular component of tissues, the extracellular matrix (ECM) provides both physical support and signaling regulation to cells. Some ECM molecules provide a fibrillar environment around cells, while others provide a sheet-like basement membrane scaffold beneath epithelial cells. In this Review, we focus on recent studies investigating the mechanical, biophysical and signaling cues provided to developing tissues by different types of ECM in a variety of developing organisms. In addition, we discuss how the ECM helps to regulate tissue morphology during embryonic development by governing key elements of cell shape, adhesion, migration and differentiation.

Highlights

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for metazoan life; without it, we would be merely an amorphous mass of cells
Epithelial cells are anchored to a basement membrane, but if they become migratory, they can migrate along ECM fibrils or basement membranes
After first introducing principles of cell-ECM interactions, we focus primarily on recently published examples to discuss how the ECM helps to direct developing tissues by influencing cell adhesion, migration, shape and differentiation (Fig. 1A-D)

Summary

Introduction

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for metazoan life; without it, we would be merely an amorphous mass of cells. The ECM is the non-cellular component of all tissues, forming the physical environment surrounding cells, and playing both structural and signaling roles (Alberts et al, 2014; Frantz et al, 2010; Hynes and Yamada, 2012; Loganathan et al, 2016). As summarized in this Review, the physical roles of the various types of ECM include anchoring, guiding or restraining cell and tissue movements. The specific properties of cell-ECM adhesions, such as their

D Differentiation

G Fibrous ECM

D Anchor cell invasion i

D Egg chamber elongation

Conclusions and future perspectives