Figure 1:

Summary of major ECM components. (A) Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are highly glycosylated ECM structures that surround neurons and play crucial roles in neuroplasticity. (B) Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) found on the cell surface and pericellular matrix bind growth factors and their receptors and contribute to cell signaling. (C) The cell surface of neurons is populated with highly glycosylated molecules, whose function is modulated by glycans. (D) Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) include the hyalectan family (aggrecan, versican, neurocan, and brevican), each of which contains an N-terminal domain that binds hyaluronan, an extracellular GAG polysaccharide, and contributes to the structure of the ECM network.