In normal liver, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are nonparenchymal, quiescent cells whose main functions is to store vitamin A and probably to maintain the normal basement membrane-type matrix.

Too much of this enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), might be causing the disturbance to the basement membrane. An experiment using model mice with vitiligo-like depigmentation showed ...

polarized mammary acinus-like structures with a central lumen and an external endogenous basement membrane. When the matrix is progressively stiffened, cell growth is enhanced, cell–cell ...