Amyloid Inspired Self-Assembled Peptide Nanofibers Designing bioinspired self-assembling peptides is essential to generate new forms of hierarchical nanostructures. Scientists present oppositely charged amyloid inspired peptides, which rapidly self-assemble into nanofibers at pH 7 upon mixing in water caused by noncovalent interactions. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract Extra-Cellular Matrix Protein Adsorption to Phosphate-Functionalized Gels from Serum Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Scientists determined whether direct or indirect cell/materials interactions were responsible for directing human mesenchymal stem cells down the osteogenic lineage on phosphate functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Native Type IV Collagen Induces an Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition-Like Process in Mammary Epithelial Cells MCF10A The role of native type IV collagen (Col IV) on the epithelial to mesenchymal transition process in human mammary epithelial cells remains to be investigated. Scientists discovered that native Col IV induces down-regulation of E-cadherin expression, accompanied with an increase of Snail1, Snail2 and Sip1 transcripts. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract Recapitulating Tumor Microenvironment in Chitosan-Gelatin Three-Dimensional Scaffolds: An Improved In Vitro Tumor Model An extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking three-dimensional scaffold based on chitosan and gelatin was fabricated and explored for its potential as a tumor model for lung cancer. It was demonstrated that chitosan-gelatin scaffolds supported the formation of tumoroids that were similar to tumors grown in vivo for factors involved in tumor-cell-ECM interaction, invasion and metastasis, and response to anti-cancer drugs. [J R Soc Interface] Abstract β3 Integrin in Cardiac Fibroblast Is Critical for Extracellular Matrix Accumulation during Pressure Overload Hypertrophy in Mouse The adhesion receptor β3 integrin regulates diverse cellular functions in various tissues. As β3 integrin has been implicated in extracellular matrix remodeling, researchers explored the role of β3 integrin in cardiac fibrosis by using wild type and β3 integrin null mice for in vivo pressure overload and in vitro primary cardiac fibroblast phenotypic studies. [PLoS One] Full Article Site Specific Cleavage Mediated by MMPs Regulates Function of Agrin Site-specific processing of Agrin provides key insight into regulatory effects of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The authors present a detailed study of agrin processing by different MMPs together with a molecular understanding of binding and cleavage at both terminal fragments. [PLoS One] Full Article Functional 3-D Cardiac Co-Culture Model Using Bioactive Chitosan Nanofiber Scaffolds Current cardiac tissue models are not yet able to stably maintain functional characteristics of cardiomyocytes for long-term culture and therapeutic purposes. Researchers aimed to fabricate bioactive 3-dimensional (3-D) chitosan nanofiber scaffolds using an electrospinning technique and exploring its potential for long-term cardiac function in the 3-D co-culture model. [Biotechnol Bioeng] Abstract The Invasion Mode of GH3 Cells Is Conditioned by Collagen Subtype, and Its Efficiency Depends on Cell-Cell Adhesion The adaptation of GH3 cells to different microenvironments is a consequence of a partial compromise with the tumor phenotype. Results showed the importance of collagen subtypes in determining the migratory strategy: collagen I/III favors mesenchymal-like motility, whereas collagen type IV induces an ameboid-type displacement. [Arch Biochem Biophys] Abstract Differential Expression of Extracellular Matrix-Related Genes in Rare variants of Meningioma The authors evaluated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2, matrix metalloproteinase 9, galectin-3, fibronectin, and collagen IV in a series of those rare variants of meningioma and verified their clinicopathologic significance. [Human Pathol] Abstract
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