细胞外基质（ECM）是动态的三维高分子网络，具有与不同组织特定的结构特征和成分，具有多种生物力学和调控功能。ECM高分子之间的相互作用，如胶原蛋白、弹性蛋白、半乳糖胺聚糖（GAGs）、蛋白多糖（PGs）、纤维连接蛋白和层粘连素等，连同基质效应物和水，共同塑造细胞和组织的独特功能特性，参与器官发育、组织稳态、重塑、疾病发展和进展过程。细胞通过调整ECM成分和排列来适应环境变化。形成人体三维生物支架的ECM为组织和器官提供机械支持，并对影响哺乳动物生长和最终成年体形的环境变量做出反应。不同类型的细胞对其相应的ECM环境表现出特定的适应性。ECM通过控制感染/炎症的扩散、感知和适应来自周围环境的外界刺激和重力，并在癌症环境中相互作用和调控癌症细胞入侵和药物耐受性。病理条件下ECM成分的改变引发细胞的适应性反应，可能导致异常细胞行为和组织功能障碍。了解不同ECM的生物力学功能、适应性和角色对研究各种病理条件至关重要，包括癌症进展和多药耐药性，这对于开发有针对性的治疗策略至关重要。在这篇观点文章中，我们批判性地介绍和讨论ECM的特定生物力学功能和调节适应机制在健康和疾病中的作用，特别关注癌症进展。本文受版权保护。保留所有权利。

Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are dynamic 3D macromolecular networks that exhibit structural characteristics and composition specific to different tissues, serving various biomechanical and regulatory functions. The interactions between ECM macromolecules, such as collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), proteoglycans (PGs), fibronectin and laminin, along with matrix effectors and water, contribute to the unique cellular and tissue functional properties during organ development, tissue homoeostasis, remodeling, disease development and progression. Cells adapt to environmental changes by adjusting the composition and array of ECM components. ECMs forming the 3D bioscaffolds of our body provide mechanical support for tissues and organs and respond to the environmental variables influencing growth and final adult body shape in mammals. Different cell types exhibit specific adaptations to their respective ECM environments. ECMs regulate biological processes by controlling diffusion of infections/inflammations, sensing and adapting to external stimuli and gravity from the surrounding habitat, and, in the context of cancer, interplaying with and regulating cancer cell invasion and drug resistance. Alterations in the ECM composition in pathological conditions drive adaptive responses of cells and could therefore result in abnormal cell behavior and tissue dysfunction. Understanding the biomechanical functionality, adaptation and roles of distinct ECMs is essential for research into various pathologies, including cancer progression and multidrug resistance, which is of crucial importance for developing targeted therapies. In this Viewpoint article, we critically present and discuss specific biomechanical functions of ECMs and regulatory adaptation mechanisms in both health and disease, with a particular focus on cancer progression.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.