ABSTRACT
The basement membrane (BM) is a thin specialized extracellular matrix that functions as a cellular anchorage site, a physical barrier and a signaling hub. While the literature on the biochemical composition and biological activity of the BM is extensive, the central importance of the physical properties of the BM, most notably its mechanical stiffness and topographical features, in regulating cellular function has only recently been recognized. In this Review, we focus on the biophysical attributes of the BM and their influence on cellular behavior. After a brief overview of the biochemical composition, assembly and function of the BM, we describe the mechanical properties and topographical structure of various BMs. We then focus specifically on the vascular BM as a nano- and micro-scale structured surface and review how its architecture can modulate endothelial cell structure and function. Finally, we discuss the pathological ramifications of the biophysical properties of the vascular BM and highlight the potential of mimicking BM topography to improve the design of implantable endovascular devices and advance the burgeoning field of vascular tissue engineering.
Footnotes
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing or financial interests.
Funding
This work is supported in part by an endowment in Cardiovascular Bioengineering from the AXA Research Fund (to A.I.B.) and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Fondation Lefoulon-Delalande (to C.L.).
Supplementary information
Supplementary information available online at https://jcs.biologists.org/lookup/doi/10.1242/jcs.239889.supplemental
- © 2020. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd
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- ABSTRACT
- Introduction
- The BM across tissues – composition, organization and function
- Biophysical properties of the BM
- The vascular BM
- Influence of substrate topography on the vascular endothelium
- Implications for vascular diseases and potential therapies
- Concluding remarks and open questions
- Acknowledgements
- Footnotes
- References
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