ECM signalling: orchestrating cell behaviour and misbehaviour

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides signalling cues that regulate cell behaviour and orchestrate functions of cells in tissue formation and homeos tasis. The composition of the ECM, its three-dimensional organization and p roteolytic remodelling are major determinants; of the microenvironmental si gnalling context that controls cell shape, motility, growth, survival and d ifferentiation, In recent years, the importance of ECM signalling has been underscored by the evidence that misregulation of cell-ECM interactions can contribute to many diseases, including developmental, immune, haemostasis, degenerative and malignant disorders. This review discusses recent insight s into the regulatory functions of the ECM and their role in disease, focus ing on cancer as a paradigm.