EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX GLYCATION AND PATHOGENESIS OF DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS

摘要

Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins provide critical scaffolding for tissue and organ formation. They also serve as ligands for cellular receptors such as integrins and dystroglycans and are involved in signaling cascades that regulate many cellular functions including adhesion, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Diverse structural and regulatory roles of ECM proteins make them critical players in normal and pathophysiology. Along with genetic mutations such as those causing the Alport syndrome, ECM proteins are also affected by post-translational modifications including non-enzymatic glycation, which has been suggested to play a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. This review will look at the impact of modifications caused by the formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) on the structure and function of matrix proteins.