The proteoglycan superfamily now contains more than 30 full-time molecules that fulfill a
variety of biological functions. Proteoglycans act as tissue organizers, influence cell growth …

The focus of this review is on conceptual and functional advances in our understanding of
the small leucine-rich proteoglycans. These molecules belong to an expanding gene class …

The extracellular matrix plays an integral role in the pivotal processes of development, tissue
repair, and metastasis by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and …

An extensive remodelling process, referred to as cervical ripening, takes place in the
cervical tissue during pregnancy and labour. It is recognized as softening and dilation of the …

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an intriguing cytokine exhibiting dual activities in
malignant disease. It is an important mediator of cancer invasion, metastasis and …

Fibrocartilage is found in tendon at sites where the tissue is subjected to transverse
compressive loadingin vivo. A significant characteristic of the tissue transition from tendon to …

Fibrosis and fat replacement in skeletal muscle are major complications that lead to a loss of
mobility in chronic muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophy. However, the in vivo …

The development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats was studied over a period
of 21 d after an intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The expression of three small …

The immune system has a fundamental role in the development and regulation of ocular
healing, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of most blinding diseases. This …

The principal extracellular matrix (ECM) chondroitin/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans include
members of two gene families—the large aggregating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans …