Concepts of extracellular matrix remodelling in tumour progression and metastasis
Juliane Winkler(University of California, San Francisco), Abisola Abisoye-Ogunniyan(University of California, San Francisco), Kevin J. Metcalf(University of California, San Francisco), Zena Werb(University of California, San Francisco)
Cited by 2,210Open Access
Abstract
Tissues are dynamically shaped by bidirectional communication between resident cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) through cell-matrix interactions and ECM remodelling. Tumours leverage ECM remodelling to create a microenvironment that promotes tumourigenesis and metastasis. In this review, we focus on how tumour and tumour-associated stromal cells deposit, biochemically and biophysically modify, and degrade tumour-associated ECM. These tumour-driven changes support tumour growth, increase migration of tumour cells, and remodel the ECM in distant organs to allow for metastatic progression. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of tumourigenic ECM remodelling is crucial for developing therapeutic treatments for patients.