Pathological Changes of the Extracellular Matrix as Diagnostic Target

Dear Colleagues,

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic non-cellular three-dimensional scaffold embedding the cells of all tissues. The ECM is a macromolecular network composed of collagens and elastin, fibronectin, laminins, proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans, and various other glycoproteins. The components of the tissue ECM are involved in ECM-cell interactions and are important for cellular signal transduction. In this context, ECM regulates tissue homeostasis, including the regulation of the pH value and the hydration of the micromilieu, controls cell migration and differentiation and determines the biomechanical properties of a particular tissue. The ECM is a highly dynamic structure, in which the ratio of synthesis, degradation, and modification of its components determines its functional state. Pathological remodeling of the ECM is a hallmark of many diseases and is currently emerging as a potential diagnostic and prognostic target.

For this Special Issue, we encourage the submission of manuscripts on disease specific pathological changes affecting the ECM, which can serve as potential biomarker for diagnosis and/or for monitoring disease progression or treatment response. This includes all aspects of disease related changes of the molecular composition and biomechanical properties of the ECM, novel concepts for non-invasive imaging with ECM-directed probes, ECM related biomarkers in the circulation, ECM as target for therapeutic and regenerative approaches, and in vitro and in vivo models for the investigation of ECM biology.

The call is open to contributions in form of reviews and short- / full-size research papers dedicated to the above mentioned topics.

Prof. Dr. Antje Ludwig
Prof. Dr. Carmen Infante-Duarte
Guest Editors

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