BIOL 4510 Lecture : lecture20-ecm-revised.pdf
Document Summary
The extracellular matrix (ecm) is essential for maintaining tissue structure, and to act as scaffolding for the myocytes. It ensures proper myocyte alignment during diastole, and coordinates myocyte contraction during systole. This is important for translating single myocyte shortening into myocardial mechanical function. Mainly collagen type i (especially) and iii as well as elastin: basement membrane - connects the ecm to the myocyte components: laminin, fibronectin, collagen type iv, proteoglycans. These are involved in cell to cell adhesion and adhesion of myocytes to the extracellular matrix: membrane receptors integrins involved in structural integrity and signaling. The integrins sense the amount of mechanical lading leading to changes in cell signaling crosses over a lot with receptor- based signaling. It is the most abundant protein in the body; ~25% of the total protein content. It is the primary protein of connective tissue. Collagen fibers form an external network in the extracellular space.
