The discoidin domain receptors (DDRs) are receptor tyrosine kinases with a discoidin homology repeat in their extracellular domains, activated by binding to extracellular matrix collagens. So far, two mammalian DDRs have been identified: DDR1 and DDR2. They are widely expressed in human tissues and may have roles in smooth muscle cell-mediated collagen remodeling. Research studies have implicated aberrant expression and signaling of DDRs in human diseases related to increased matrix degradation and remodeling, such as cardiovascular disease, liver fibrosis, and tumor invasion. Injection of colon tumor cells into DDR2 knock out mice predisposes the hepatic stellate cells to colon tumor metastasis.
