Perlecan in Pericellular Mechanosensory Cell-Matrix Communication, Extracellular Matrix Stabilisation and Mechanoregulation of Load-Bearing Connective Tissues

In this study, we review mechanoregulatory roles for perlecan in load-bearing connective tissues. Perlecan facilitates the co-acervation of tropoelastin and assembly elastic microfibrils translamellar cross-bridges which, together with fibrillin elastin stabilise extracellular matrix intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus. Pericellular interacts collagen VI XI to define stabilize compartment which has a strategic position facilitating two-way cell-matrix communication between cell its wider matrix. Cues from are fed through pericellular back chondrocyte, allowing it perceive respond subtle microenvironmental changes regulate tissue homeostasis. Thus plays key regulatory role chondrocyte metabolism, differentiation. acts as transport proteoglycan carrying poorly soluble, lipid-modified proteins such Wnt or Hedgehog families establishment morphogen gradients that drive morphogenesis. Cell surface on endothelial cells osteocytes flow sensor blood lacunar canalicular fluid providing feedback cues smooth muscle regulating vascular tone pressure, regulation bone metabolism by highlighting perlecan’s multifaceted