Forskning om extracellulär matrix - forskning av central betydelse för flertalet medicinska forskningsområden
Medicin
Kristofer Rubin
2011-08-29 22:42, reviderat 2011-08-29 22:58
Extracellular matrix (ECM) elements are intrinsic constituents of all organs. These elements govern physiology in addition to providing structural support. Connective tissues provide mechanical support, regulate water flow and are characterized by an abundant ECM. These tissues include specialized structures such as the cartilage, ligaments and bone of the musculo-skeletal system, as well as loose connective tissues that embed all peripheral blood and lymph vessels, nerves and underlie mucosal surfaces. The specialized connective tissues have obvious mechanic and structural functions. Loose connective tissues constitute a major body compartment that amounts to some 15% of the body volume. They harbor the extracellular fluid that is contained within an ECM. These tissues provide the route of transport for nutrients and waste materials between endothelial and parenchymal cells of any tissue. Furthermore, inflammatory processes, infections and carcinoma invasion occur in, or involve this tissue compartment.
Disturbances of the homeostasis of connective tissues constitute a basic patho-physiologic component in a majority of diseases. The importance of stromal ECM for carcinoma progression is becoming increasingly clear and thus of importance for cancer diseases. For the large group of diseases classified as musculo-skeletal diseases, ECM biology/biochemistry have a central and established importance for research aimed at understanding pathogenic mechanisms and to devise new tools for monitoring disease and optimizing treatment. Swedish research in this area has a long and strong tradition. In a recent bibliometric survey of Swedish medical research, rheumatology came out as one of the most internationally competitive research areas in Sweden. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes influence the composition and physiological properties of the ECM in the affected vascular walls and in the surrounding loose connective tissue, these changes influence disease progression. An increased understanding of mechanisms driving these changes and methods to modulate them are important goals for research carried out under this heading. Research on interactions between bacteria and pathogenic eukaryotic protests on one hand with ECM molecules and structures on the other, is important to understand patho-physiologic events during infectious diseases. Many infections are localized to connective tissues, e.g. ostitis, diabetic foot ulcers and the large group of soft tissue infections. Research on wound healing and traumatology depends heavily of expertise in ECM biology/biochemistry. Swedish research on diseases involving basement membranes (kidney, lung, skin) has a strong standing due to many renowned contributions by preclinical scientists. The proposed program will aid in translating this basic scientific capital into clinical practice. Finally, an important area of medical research deals with the potential medical use of stem cells. Research aimed at characterizing ECM structures participating in stem cell niches is gaining increased international interest. Swedish scientists with expertise in ECM biology/biochemistry are well equipped to participate in interdisciplinary research in this area. An important area for this research in also potential niches for cancer stem cells and also for nerve cells used to treat maladies of the central nervous system.
Sweden has had a long-standing tradition of scientific excellence in the biochemistry and biology of the ECM. During the years this scientific field has contributed significantly to scientific advances made in central areas of medical research. This is due to the central importance and widespread distribution of ECM elements in the body, making them central in the patho-physiology of common diseases. Thus, research on many of the very common diseases often having components of inflammation such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease; skin, kidney and lung disease; wound healing; fibrotic conditions; diabetes; and carcinoma all have benefited from the basic research on ECM. In view of the central role to many other areas (neurobiology, cardiovascular, rheumatology, orthopedics, cancer, lung and kidney disease) it is of particular strategic interest to maintain and develop the scientific competence and excellence in ECM research, both for Swedish research in the biomedical sector, health care providers and for industry.
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