Dynamic Interplay between miRNAs and the Extracellular Matrix Influences the Tumor Microenvironment.

Expression of miRNAs is critical for the regulation of several cell functions including proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival, as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The dynamic interplay between miRNAs, ECM macromolecules, and the tumor microenvironment plays critical roles in many aspects of human diseases such as metabolic disorders and cancers. Circulating and secreted miRNAs, via membrane vesicles, affect cell-cell communication and cellular metabolic pathways, underscoring their significance in tumor progression. The primary goal of this article is to highlight the importance of epigenetic regulatory factors, focusing on miRNA-mediated ECM reorganization and their functional relationships, and how matrix-mediated miRNAs affect tumor progression.