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The basement membrane, also known as base membrane, is a thin, pliable sheet-like type of extracellular matrix that provides cell and tissue support and acts as a platform for complex signalling. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The basement membrane sits between epithelial tissues including mesothelium and endothelium , and the underlying connective tissue.
The glomerular basement membrane is a special case, consisting of a fusion of the podocyte and endothelial basal laminas, and lacking a lamina reticularis. Thus, it consists of an especially thick lamina densa, sandwiched on its inside and outside by layers of lamina lucida / rara (one from each cell type).
Matrigel is the trade name for the solubilized basement membrane matrix secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) mouse sarcoma cells produced by Corning Life Sciences. . Matrigel resembles the laminin/collagen IV-rich basement membrane extracellular environment found in many tissues and is used by cell biologists as a substrate (basement membrane matrix) for culturi
The basement membrane is important for maintaining tissue organization, providing structural support for cells, and influencing cell signaling and polarity. Degradation of the basement membrane is an essential step for the metastatic progression of most cancers.
Basal cells are bound to each other by desmosomes, and to the basal lamina of the basement membrane by hemidesmosomes. These junctions help to create one tightly bound, continuous tissue layer that can endure mechanical stress and effectively function as a connection between the basement membrane and remaining epithelial tissue. [4]
Apical membrane proteins are trafficked from the Golgi to the apical, rather than baso-lateral, membrane because apical determinants serve to identify the correct destination for vesicle delivery. A related mechanism is likely to operate for the baso-lateral membranes. The fourth principle is lipid modification.
Pericytes are embedded in the basement membrane of blood capillaries, where they communicate with endothelial cells by means of both direct physical contact and paracrine signaling. [3] The morphology, distribution, density and molecular fingerprints of pericytes vary between organs and vascular beds.
The basolateral membrane refers to both the lateral membrane where cell-cell junctions connect neighboring cells and to the basal membrane where cells are attached to the basement membrane, a thin sheet of extracellular matrix proteins that separates the epithelial sheet from underlying cells and connective tissue.