The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the structure between cells that holds the body’s tissues together.
What Is the ECM?
The extracellular matrix exists between cells and physically holds tissues and organs together. It also retains bioactive substances outside cells and plays an important role in cell growth and differentiation.
Source：[1]
Main Components and Roles
The main component is collagen, along with elastin, fibronectin, laminin, proteoglycans and hyaluronan. Most of the dermis consists of collagen fibers and elastin-based elastic fibers.
| Component | Main role |
|---|---|
| Collagen | Provides tensile strength; involved in cell adhesion and migration |
| Elastin | Allows tissues to recoil after stretching |
| Fibronectin | Cell adhesion, embryonic development, wound healing |
| Laminin | In basement membranes; cell differentiation and migration |
| Proteoglycans | e.g. decorin organizes collagen fibers |
| Hyaluronan | Supports cell migration and proliferation |
Beyond support, the ECM helps regulate cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and blood vessel formation.
From Dr.JAPAN’s Research
What is ECM (Extracellular Matrix)?
The ECM is the structural scaffold surrounding cells throughout the body, essential for normal cellular function.
It is composed of proteins including collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, and is present in virtually all tissues — skin, blood vessels, bones, joints, and more.
As ECM deteriorates with age, the following problems become more likely:
- Arterial stiffness and arteriosclerosis
- Joint wear and pain
- Skin sagging and wrinkles
- Changes in décolleté contour
- Increased risk of cancer cell metastasis
Dr. Ishii's research proceeds on the hypothesis that maintaining ECM integrity is the shared biological key to both healthy longevity and beauty.
Research findings do not indicate the effects or efficacy of any product.
Related Ingredients
Sources
- [1]Tokyo Institute of Technology, "Biomatrix Innovation"
https://www1.bio.titech.ac.jp/lihub/data/bioma_05.pdf - [2]Fujiwara S. (Oita Medical University), Japanese Journal of Dermatology 113(6), 2003
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/dermatol/113/6/113_937/_article/-char/ja - [3]Wachi H. (Hoshi University), Cosmetology Research Report Vol.15 (2007)
https://www.kose-cosmetology.or.jp/research_report/archives/2007/fullVersion/Cosmetology%20Vol15%202007%20p94-98%20Wachi_H.pdf - [4]Kular JK et al., J Tissue Eng 5 (2014)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4883592/ - [5]Karamanos NK et al., FEBS J 288(24) (2021)
https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/79373
This page provides general information about the ingredient and does not indicate the effects or efficacy of any product.