Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play an important role in a series of biological processes in the cell, and their abnormal regulation can lead to many diseases. The theoretical ECM reference dataset is the basis for efficient identification of extracellular matrix proteins. Researchers have developed various ECM protein prediction tools based on machine learning methods. In this review, the main strategy of development of ECM protein prediction tools that based on machine learning methods has been introduced. Then, advances and specific characters of the existing ECM protein prediction tools have been summarized. Finally, the challenges and possible improvements of ECM protein prediction tools are discussed.
Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins

No abstract available.
Extracellular Matrix Proteins* ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Peptides* ; Titanium*

Angiogenesis is a fundamental biological process including endothelial cell adhesion, migration, invasion and tube formation. Integrin receptors of endothelial cells play important roles in angiogenesis. They mediate cell-cell contact and cell adhesion to extracellular matrix. Roles of integrins have been described for a number of cell types. ECV304 endothelial cells were known to overexpress alpha3beta1 integrin and to form tube like structure in 3-D Matrigel culture. However the function of alpha3beta1 integrin in endothelial cells remains to be determined. Therefore, we have investigated morphological characteristics of ECV304 cells and roles of alpha3beta1 integrin in angiogenesis. To elucidate several characteristics, ECV304 endothelial cells were compared with HUVEC in the aspect of morphology, localization of integrins, angiogenesis pattern. In addition, role of alpha3beta1 integrin were analyzed in the aspect of endothelial cell binding, migration, invasion and tube formation on Matrigel. The result showed that alpha3beta1 integrin overexpressed ECV304 endothelial cells showed strong adhesiveness to extracellular matrix proteins, and high migration and invasion activities. Furthermore, expression of alpha3beta1 integrin was increased according to time course during in vitro culture and was continuously strong in ECV304 cells on 3-D Matrigel culture. These results indicate that alpha3beta1 integrin is able to be a critical component in control of angiogenesis by regulation of cell adhesion, migration, invasion and tube formation of ECV304 endothelial cells.
Adhesiveness ; Biological Processes ; Cell Adhesion ; Endothelial Cells* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Integrin alpha3beta1* ; Integrins

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of adding exogenous extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on the reattachment of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to the damaged surface of Bruch's membrane (BM). METHODS: Porcine BM explants were divided into six groups: BMs with an intact basal lamina (bl-BM) and five damaged BMs (d-BM: bare & four ECM-coated). The d-BM was coated with ECM proteins (either fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV, or all). Primary RPE sheets were plated and cultured for each group of BM explants. The attached live cells were counted and examined with a scanning electron microscope after three days, as well as at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: The RPE reattachment rate was highest in bl-BM and lowest in uncoated d-BM. ECM-coated groups showed a lower reattachment rate than bl-BM, but when compared with the uncoated group, the reattachment rate was significantly increased (p<0.05). ECM-exposure time did not influence the reattachment rate of any of the groups. RPE cells plated on bl-BMs and ECM-coated d-BMs attached and proliferated well and achieved confluence over time. Even though most cells were flat and large in shape, some cells revealed a good morphology with microvilli on their surface. On the other hand, only some of the RPE sheets plated on the uncoated d-BM attached loosely and most cells remained round and clumped. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the addition of ECM proteins may increase the ability of RPE cells to reattach to the damaged BM surface, which would likely create a good morphology.
Basement Membrane ; Bruch Membrane ; Collagen ; Epithelial Cells* ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins* ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Hand ; Laminin ; Microvilli ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinaldehyde*

Melatonin could be used as an anticancer agent to suppress the proliferation of tumor cells and induce the differentiation of cancer cells. HeLa, HepG2, A549, L929, and NIH/3T3 cell lines were cultivated in alpha-MEM with 0.2 mM/2 mM melatonin. The influences of melatonin on quantitative changes of glycoprotein, fibronectin, laminin and actin related to the metastasis of tumor cells investigated with PAS or PAP at light microscopic level. To elucidate the possibility of antitumor actions of melatonin, the changes of cell organelles were observed under transmission electron microscope. Cell proliferation was suppressed after treatment with 2 mM melatonin for 2 or 3 days. Compared with control groups, the amounts of glycoprotein, fibronectin, laminin and actin in all cell lines at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin were generally increased. Heterochromatin in the nucleus formed clumps in all cell lines at 2nd and 3rd day after treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin. The numerical increase of rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi complex observed in HeLa and L929 cells treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day. The number of lysosomes increased in HeLa, A549, and L929 cells treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 3rd day. The number of vesicles increased in all cell lines treated with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin at 1st, 2nd and 3rd day. Taken together, antimitotic effect of melatonin can be expected at least 2day after treatment with 2 mM melatonin. The production of fibronectin and laminin in all cell lines treated with 0.2 mM or 2 mM melatonin increased. Therefore, the increase of amounts of extracellular matrix proteins in the extracellular space can be expected. And the increase of amounts of actin connected to the extracellular matrix proteins through the integrin of plasma membrane seemed to strengthen cell attachment. In order to metastasize of cancer cells, it is important for them to secrete various enzymes to pass through the extracellular matrix proteins. Hence, it will be more difficult for the cells to metastasize into other regions due to the increase of the extracellular matrix proteins. It was postulated that the clumps of heterochromatin and the numerical increase of vesicles induced by treatment with 0.2 mM and 2 mM melatonin could be represented for the actions of melatonin as morpholgical criteria.
Actins ; Cell Line* ; Cell Membrane ; Cell Proliferation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins* ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Extracellular Space ; Fibronectins ; Glycoproteins ; Golgi Apparatus ; Heterochromatin ; Laminin ; Lysosomes ; Melatonin* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Organelles

Periodontal therapy has dealt primarily with attempts at arresting progression of disease, however, more recent techniques have focused on regenerating the periodontal ligament having the capacity to regenerate the periodontium. The effect of chitosan, a carbohydrate biopolymer extracted from chitin, on periodontal ligament regeneration is of particular interest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chitosan on the expression of extracellular matrix proteins in primary rat calvarial cells in vitro. In the control group, cells was cultured with BGJb media. In the experimental groups, cells were cultured with chitosan in concentration of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml. Then each group was characterized by examining alkaline phosphatase activity at 3 and 7 days, and the ability to produce mineralized nodules of rat calvarial cells at 14 and 21 days. Synthesis of type I collagen (COL-I), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP) was evaluated by RT-PCR at 14 days. The results were as follows: 1. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in the concentration of chitosan 0.01mg/ml, 0.1mg/ml and 1.0mg/ml compared to control (p<0.05). 2. The percentage of mineralized bone nodule was more in the concentration of chitosan 0.1mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml than the control. 3. At 14 day culture, the expression of OCN was increased by chitosan in concentration of 1.0 mg/ml and 2.0 mg/ml. These results suggested that chitosan in concentration of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/ml stimulate the extracellular matrix of primary rat calvarial cells and may facilitate the formation of bone.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Biopolymers ; Bone Matrix* ; Chitin ; Chitosan* ; Collagen Type I ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; Osteocalcin ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontium ; Rats* ; Regeneration

Fibronectin(FN) is a multifunctional glycoprotein with ARG-GLY-ASP(RGD) sequences that has been known as an important constituent of extracellular matrix in bone. 17-beta estradiol, bone active hormone has been reported to stimulate the in vitro production of several extracellular matrix proteins. Though it is known that estrogen withdrawal causes a significant diminition in PTH induced FN production, the hormonal regulation of FN production in bone has not been thoroughly studied. Especially the study using immunoelectron microscopy about FN production is rare. So, the author undertook tile present study to pursue the effect of estrogen on the distribution of fibronectin in the process of bone matrix formation with immunoelectron microscopy. Four to five weeks old female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing about 150 gm, were used as experimental animals. It was grouped as ovariectomy group, sham operation group, ovarectomy with estrogen injection group, and normal control group. Each group was sacrificed at 1 week, 3 weeks and 5 weeks postoperatively. Ovaries were removed under the pentobarbital anesthesia, and for the estrogen injection group, 0.25 mg/kg of 17-beta estradiol was injected subcutaneously after oophorectomy. Immunoelectromicroscopic findings were as follows. 1 At the one week after operation, the distributions of gold particles, show the fibronectin reaction in osteoid, are similar in the control group, sham operation group, and ovariectomy with estrogen injection group at intermediate reactions, but it is severely decreased in the ovariectomy group as a weak reaction. 2. At there weeks after operation, the distributions of gold particle are similar in the control group, sham operation group and ovariectomy with estrogen injection group as intermediate reactions, but it is also decreased in the ovariectomy group as a weak reaction. 3 At the five weeks after operation, all the groups have similar distributions of gold particles as intermediate reaction. It is suggested that the estrogen secreted in ovary, partially effects on the fibronectin formation in the matrix of developing bone, and other factors stimulate and compensate the fibronectin formation with removal of ovaries.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Bone Matrix ; Estradiol* ; Estrogens ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Female ; Fibronectins* ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Ovariectomy ; Ovary ; Pentobarbital ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibia*

PURPOSE: Relaxin (RLX) is a transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) antagonist that is believed to function as a potent collagen re-arranger and a major suppressor of extracellular matrix components. Adenoviruses (Ads) are accepted vectors for cancer gene therapy. However, repeated treatments of Ad are limited by short-term biological activity in vivo. The efficacy of sustained RLX expression to scar remodeling was assessed using an injectable alginate gel-matrix system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pig scar tissue was treated with relaxin-expressing Ad loaded in alginate gel (gel/Ad-RLX). Surface areas, color, and pliability of scars were compared, and various factors influencing scar formation and collagen arrangement were analyzed. RESULTS: Gel/Ad-RLX decreased scar size, color index, and pliability. Immunohistochemistry showed decreased levels of major extracellular matrix proteins in the gel/Ad-RLX-treated group. Furthermore, treatment with gel/Ad-RLX reduced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin and markedly increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in pig scar tissues. Gel/Ad-RLX also significantly downregulated TGF-β1 and upregulated TGF-β3 mRNAs in pig scar tissues. CONCLUSION: These results support a prominent role for RLX in scar remodeling and suggest that gel/Ad-RLX may have therapeutic effects on scar formation.
Actins ; Adenoviridae ; Cicatrix ; Collagen ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Genes, Neoplasm ; Genetic Therapy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; Pliability ; Relaxin ; RNA, Messenger ; Therapeutic Uses ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1

OBJECTIVE: Metastatic dissemination of epithelial ovarian carcinoma is thought to be mediated via tumor cell exfoliation into the peritoneal cavity, followed adhesion to and invasion through the mesothelium which overlies the contents of the peritoneal cavity. MMP-2 is secreted as a zymogen, the activation of which has been associated with metastatic progression in human ovarian cancer cell lines. METHODS: We have utilized short-term cultures to analyze the effect of specific extracellular matrix proteins, type I collagen. RESULTS: Culturing Caov-4 ovarian cell line on type I collagen led to a significant increase in conversion of the MMP-2,72kD to the MMP-2,66kD, and MT-MMP expression. MT-MMP expression correlates with expression and activation of MMP-2 during malignant progression. Altered MT-MMP expression in ovarian cell lines might contribute to MMP-2 activation, which facilitates invasion of these tumors. CONCLUSION: In summary, we found increased expression of MT-MMP that correlated with increased level of activated MMP-2 and cellular counts in chemoinvasion assay in Caov-3 cell line. But no significant increases in Skov-4 cell line on type I collagen. Conclusion: These data suggest that type I collagen induces MMP-2 activation in part by up-regulation of MT-MMP expression but has a more complicated mode of action involving additional processes.
Cell Line* ; Collagen Type I ; Epithelium ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinases* ; Membranes* ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Up-Regulation

Distraction osteogenesis is a new bone formation technique. There is a advantage of the environmental adaptation when distraction force is applied to the gap between osteotomy lines. But it has a disadvantage of long-term wearing of the appliance and long consolidation period. Therefore we make an effort to reduce it and repair normal function. Extracellular matrix proteins have a function to control the cellular growth, migration, shape and metabolism. In these, hyaluronic acid is a member of polysaccharide glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and has a important function as bone formation and osteoinduction property. PURPOSE: In this experimental study in rabbit mandibular distraction osteogenesis, we investigated the bone enhancing property of hyaluronic acid and the expression of extracellular proteins such as osteocalcin and osteonectin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental study was carried out on 24 Korean male white rabbits (both mandibular body, n=48). Distraction group was divided to distraction experimental (A, n=16) and distraction control (B, n=16) by the application of hyaluronic acid (Hyruan, LGCI, Seoul, Korea). Normal control group (C, n=16) was only osteotomized. After 5 days latency, distraction devices were activated at a rate of 1.4 mm per day (0.7 mm every 12hours) for 3.5 days. Animals were sacrificed at postoperative 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. HandE stain and immunohistochemical stain was done on decalcified section. Additionally RT-PCR analysis was done for the identification of the expression of osteocalcin and osteonectin. RESULTS: The bone formation in distraction experimental group was much more than that in distraction and normal control group at postoperative 28 days. In immunohistochemical stain, osteocalcin was enhanced at only postoperative 14 days, but osteonectin was not different at each post-operation days. In RT-PCR analysis, osteocalcin was not different at each post-operation days, but osteonectin was strongly expressed in distraction experimental group at postoperative 7 days. The expression of osteocalcin and osteonectin was elevated during the healing period. CONCLUSION: We found the good bone formation ability of hyaluronic acid in distraction osteogenesis through the immunohistochemistry and RTPCR analysis to osteocalcin and osteonectin, known as a bone formation marker. The application of hyaluronic acid in distraction osteogenesis is a method to reduce the consolidation period.
Animals ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins* ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis* ; Osteogenesis, Distraction* ; Osteonectin ; Osteotomy ; Rabbits ; Seoul