The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex meshwork of proteins that constitutes the architectural framework of multicellular organisms. It provides mechanical and biochemical cues that trigger molecular pathways orchestrating tissue organization and cellular functions. Importantly, alteration of the composition, structure, and signaling properties of the ECM contribute to cancer progression. Thus, a better characterization of ECM composition, metabolism, and biology can lead to the identification of novel prognostic and diagnostic markers and therapeutic opportunities [1].
In this talk, I will present the latest proteomic methods my laboratory has developed to characterize the “matrisome” of tumor microenvironments [2]. I will then discuss how these methods can be applied to identify 1) ECM biomarkers for better patient stratification and 2) novel ECM proteins promoting cancer progression that can further be used as targets of matritherapies [3]. In the last part of my talk, I will discuss the recent release of MatrisomeDB (https://matrisomedb.org), a compendium of proteomic studies on the ECM of normal and diseased tissues, with an emphasis on data from human cancer patients and murine models of cancers [4].
References
1. Naba A. Mechanisms of assembly and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2024;25:865–85.
2. Naba A. Ten years of extracellular matrix proteomics: Accomplishments, challenges, and future perspectives. Mol Cell Prot. 2023;22:100528.
3. Socovich AM, Naba A. The cancer matrisome: From comprehensive characterization to biomarker discovery. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology. 2019;89:157–66.
4. Shao X, Gomez CD, Kapoor N, Considine JM, Grams C, Gao YT, et al. MatrisomeDB 2.0: 2023 updates to the ECM-protein knowledge database. Nucleic Acids Research. 2023;51:D1519–30.