Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Unraveling the ECM-Immune Cell Crosstalk in Skin Diseases.

Publication Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

January 1, 2019

Journal

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology

Volume/Issue

7

ISSN

2296-634X

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of proteins and proteoglycans secreted by keratinocytes, fibroblasts and immune cells. The function of the skin ECM has expanded from being a scaffold that provides structural integrity, to a more dynamic entity that is constantly remodeled to maintain tissue homeostasis. The ECM functions as ligands for cell surface receptors such as integrins, dystroglycans, and toll-like receptors (TLRs) and regulate cellular signaling and immune cell dynamics. The ECM also acts as a sink for growth factors and cytokines, providing critical cues during epithelial morphogenesis. Dysregulation in the organization and deposition of ECMs lead to a plethora of pathophysiological conditions that are exacerbated by aberrant ECM-immune cell interactions. In this review, we focus on the interplay between ECM and immune cells in the context of skin diseases and also discuss state of the art therapies that target the key molecular players involved.

Alternate Journal

Front Cell Dev Biol

PubMed ID

31134198

PubMed Central ID

PMC6514232

Authors

Oindrila Bhattacharjee
Uttkarsh Ayyangar
Ambika S Kurbet
Driti Ashok
Srikala Raghavan