Extracellular Matrix: Chemistry: Biology, and Pathobiology with Emphasis on the Liver

Describing state-of-the-art research techniques for clinicians and introducing important clinical perspectives for basic scientists, this reference examines some significant areas of investigation into the biology of the extracellular matrix and its implications in human pathophysiology.;Focusing on the liver and providing a broad survey of the latest information available, Extracellular Matrix: discusses a wide range of models and organ systems; presents pathophysiological studies emphasizing hepatic disease, particularly the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis; furnishes structure and function analyses of the major extracellular matric components, including collagens, laminin, fibronectin, and proteoglycans; delineates the mechanisms leading to increased depositions of the matrix proteins during hepatic fibrogenesis; details new therapeutic approaches to liver disease; and more.;With authoritative contributions from more than 40 leading international experts representing five countries, Extracellular Matrix should be a useful reference for all scientists interested in matrix biology, chemistry, or pathobiology, especially gastroenterologists, hepatologists, pathologists, and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Matrix chemistry and structure: fibronectin, G. Paolella et al; laminin, Albert E. Chung; structure and function of laminin and gene regulation of basement membrane components, Yoshihiko Yamada et al; adhesion molecules in embryogenesis and histogenesis, Stanley Hoffman and Kathryn L. Crossin; regulation of collagen gene expression, Sherrill L. Adams; fibrillar collagens - their biosynthesis, molecular structure and mode of assembly, Marcel E. Nimi; basement membrane collagen - structure, assembly and biosynthesis, Heinz Furthmayr; propeptide-mediated regulation of procollagen synthesis, Catherine H. Wu et al. Part 2 Extracellular matrix of the liver: matrix, matrix synthesis and molecular networks in hepatic fibrosis, Detlef Schuppan et al; morphology, localization and origin of the hepatic extracellular matrix, Antonion Martinez-Hernandez and Peter S. Amenta. Part 3 Pharmacology/endocrinology and therapeutics of matrix: peptide hormone and cytokine regulation of matrix synthesis, Silvia Degli Esposti and Mark A. Zern; glucocorticoid regulation of procollagen synthesis, Kenneth R. Cutroneo; prostaglandins' effects on the extracellular matrix, Mary J. Ruwart and Keith S. Henley; drug therapy in liver cirrhosis - novel approaches, Gilles A. Morali and Lawrence M. Blendis. Part 4 Functions: extracellular matrix and the development of tissue architecture - a mechanochemical perspective, Donald E. Ingber; inhibition of smooth-muscle cell proliferation by Heparinlike molecules, Christopher F. Reilly; matrix regulation of gap junctions and of excitability in cells, Elizabeth Rosenberg et al; extracellular matrix-resident growth factors and enzymes, Israel Vlodavsky et al; cell adhesion mediated by matrix components of bone marrow, Max S. Wicha and Alan D. Campbell; the liver as a stem cell and lineage system, Samuel H. Sigal et al. Part 5 Pathogenesis: pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis, Mario Chojkier; extracellular matrix and metastasis, Isabel Zvibel and Andrea Kraft.