The biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tissue-
specific cell behaviour. The molecules that are associated with the ECM of each tissue …

The collagens represent a family of trimeric extracellular matrix molecules used by cells for
structural integrity and other functions. The three α chains that form the triple helical part of …

Stromal desmoplastic reaction in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) involves
significant accumulation of type I collagen (Col1). However, the precise molecular and …

Collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix allow connective tissues such as tendon, skin and
bone to withstand tensile forces. The fibrils are indeterminate in length, insoluble and form …

Fibril-forming collagens are synthesized in precursor form, procollagens, with N-and C-
terminal propeptide extensions. The C-propeptides direct chain association during …

Fibrillar collagens (types I, II, III, V, XI, XXIV and XXVII) constitute a sub-group within the
collagen family (of which there are 28 types in humans) whose functions are to provide three …

Cancers are complex ecosystems composed of malignant cells embedded in an intricate
microenvironment made of different non-transformed cell types and extracellular matrix …

Collagens, or more precisely collagen-based extracellular matrices, are often considered as
a metazoan hallmark. Among the collagens, fibrillar collagens are present from sponges to …

Laminin (Ln) and collagen are multifunctional glycoproteins that play an important role in
cellular morphogenesis, cell signalling, tissue repair and cell migration. These proteins are …

The vertebrate collagen superfamily now includes over 50 collagens and collagen-like
proteins. Here, their different structures are described, as well as their diverse forms of …