Drug discovery in the extracellular matrix

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an organised mesh of secreted proteins that provides structure, organisation and orientation to tissues and influences a spectrum of cell behaviours of direct relevance to disease and drug discovery. Many drugs currently in development target components of the ECM,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drug discovery today 2008-08, Vol.13 (15), p.685-694
Main Authors: Huxley-Jones, Julie, Foord, Steven M., Barnes, Michael R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Drug Discovery
Extracellular Matrix - chemistry
Extracellular Matrix - secretion
Extracellular Matrix Proteins - chemistry
Extracellular Matrix Proteins - secretion
Extracellular Matrix Proteins - therapeutic use
General pharmacology
Humans
Medical sciences
Pharmaceutical Preparations - chemistry
Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
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Summary:The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an organised mesh of secreted proteins that provides structure, organisation and orientation to tissues and influences a spectrum of cell behaviours of direct relevance to disease and drug discovery. Many drugs currently in development target components of the ECM, yet most drug discovery teams perceive the ECM as a barrier to efficacious drug action, rather than a therapeutic target. Here we review current therapeutic approaches and consider potentially novel druggable opportunities to target the ECM, taking into account the factors that make it both unique and challenging, including its evolutionary history and innate multi-dimensional complexity.
ISSN:1359-6446
1878-5832
DOI:10.1016/j.drudis.2008.05.005