The vascular basement membrane contributes to the integrity of the blood-brain barrier
(BBB), which is formed by brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs). The BCECs receive …

The hyaline cartilage is the most abundant type of cartilage in the body. It is responsible for
the bone formation in the embryo (endochondral ossification) and in adults, it can be found …

Basement membranes (BMs) are ubiquitous extracellular matrices whose composition
remains elusive, limiting our understanding of BM regulation and function. By developing a …

Neural tube closure has been studied for many decades, across a range of vertebrates, as a
paradigm of embryonic morphogenesis. Neurulation is of particular interest in view of the …

The existence of orderly structures, such as tissues and organs is made possible by cell
adhesion, ie, the process by which cells attach to neighbouring cells and a supporting …

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly complex and dynamic structure, mainly composed
of brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes and the basement membrane …

During development, both cells and tissues must acquire the correct shape to allow their
proper function. This is especially relevant in the nervous system, where the shape of …

The overall structure and architecture of the extracellular matrix undergo dramatic alterations
in composition, form, and functionality over time. The stochasticity begins during …

Basement membranes are widely distributed extracellular matrices that coat the basal
aspect of epithelial and endothelial cells and surround muscle, fat, and Schwann cells …

In recent years, the basement membrane (BM)—a specialized form of extracellular matrix
(ECM)—has been recognized as an important regulator of cell behaviour, rather than just a …