Collagen XVI, by structural analogy a member of the FACIT- (fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple helices) family of collagens, is described as a minor collagen component of connective tissues. Collagen XVI is expressed in various cells and tissues without known occurrence of splice variants or isoforms. For skin and cartilage tissues its suprastructure is known. Presumably, there it acts as an adaptor protein connecting and organizing large fibrillar networks and thus modulates integrity and stability of the extracellular matrix (ECM).
Collagen XVI is expressed in many tissues and interacts with specific ECM receptors. Hereby it modifies signaling pathways which influence malignant progression.
Recently, we found a collagen XIV fragment responsible for the induction of vasculogenic mimicry in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Our goal is to investigate molecular mechanisms by which collagen XVI and its fragments are able to influence oral tumor progression. Eventually, insights could lead to support diagnosis and therapy.