Extracellular matrix signaling in morphogenesis and repair

•ECM signaling in morphogenesis and tissue repair.•ECM signals with mechanically liberated or exposed biologically active sites.•ECM signals via proteolysis or conformational modifications.•Enhanced understanding of ECM mechanics and signals for biomaterials development.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is critically important for many cellular processes including growth, differentiation, survival, and morphogenesis. Cells remodel and reshape the ECM by degrading and reassembling it, playing an active role in sculpting their surrounding environment and directing their own phenotypes. Both mechanical and biochemical molecules influence ECM dynamics in multiple ways; by releasing small bioactive signaling molecules, releasing growth factors stored within the ECM, eliciting structural changes to matrix proteins which expose cryptic sites and by degrading matrix proteins directly. The dynamic reciprocal communication between cells and the ECM plays a fundamental roll in tissue development, homeostasis, and wound healing.

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