Research on Dynamic Interaction of Matricellular Proteins and Their Receptors

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to introduce this Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences, which features a series of commissioned articles on Research on Dynamic Interaction of Matricellular Proteins and Their Receptors. Extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) are constitutively expressed as essential structural components of organs and tissues and contribute to the morphological and functional integrity of organs and tissues. Within classical ECM, there are a unique group of molecules that are different from classical ECM in many ways. These are matricellular proteins. Matricellular proteins are not constitutively expressed in the body, but transiently expressed during specific embryonic stages and in pathological and physiological conditions. Matricellular proteins can be exist as soluble proteins rather than structural components. Osteopontin, tenascin-c, periostin, CCN family members, thrombospondin-1, and many other molecules are now classified as matricellular proteins. Matricellular proteins contain many cellular binding domains, including hidden binding domains that can be exposed after protease cleavage and can bind to more than single cellular receptors, including integrins. Thus, components of tissue microenvironments such as proteases, pathogens, inflammation, and cell types are critical functional modifiers of matricellular proteins. The complex but tightly regulated interaction between matricellular proteins and their receptor leads to divergent physiological and pathological consequences in many organs and tissues. Authors are invited to review recent publications or submit original studies on Interactions of Matricellular Proteins and Their Receptors.

Prof. Dr. Toshimitsu Uede
Prof. Dr. Shigeyuki Kon
Guest Editors

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• matricellular proteins
• integrin
• autoimmune diseases
• cardiovascular diseases
• respiratory diseases
• immunology
• neurological disease
• cancer