Chemokine-Coupled β2 Integrin-Induced Macrophage Rac2-Myosin IIA Interaction Regulates VEGF-A mRNA Stability and Arteriogenesis Researchers report, in inflammatory monocytes, that the combination of chemokine receptor and adhesion receptor (β2 integrin) engagement leads to an interaction between activated Rac2 and Myosin 9, the heavy chain of Myosin IIA, resulting in augmented vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression and induction of arteriogenesis. [J Exp Med] Abstract Nanoscale Integrin Ligand Patterns Determine Melanoma Cell Behavior In an αVβ3 integrin-dependent fashion, human melanoma cells spread, formed focal contacts, and reorganized cytoskeletal fibers on a physiologically relevant arginine-glycine-aspartic acid density of 349 sites/μm2. [ACS Nano] Abstract Integrins Regulate Epithelial Cell Differentiation by Modulating Notch Activity Little is known about the developmental signals that regulate the cell cycle exit-to-differentiation switch. Signals downstream of two key developmental pathways, Notch and Salvador-Warts-Hippo, and of myosin activity regulate this switch during the development of the follicle cell epithelium of the Drosophila ovary. Investigators identified a fourth player, the integrin signaling pathway. [J Cell Sci] Abstract Enhanced Cell-Induced Articular Cartilage Regeneration by Chondrons; The Influence of Joint Damage and Harvest Site Chondrons and chondrocytes were isolated from stifle joints of goats in which cartilage damage was surgically induced in the right knee. After four weeks of regeneration culture, DNA content and proteoglycan and collagen content and release were determined. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage] Abstract Blocking Ligand Occupancy of the αVβ3 Integrin Inhibits the Development of Nephropathy in Diabetic Pigs Hyperglycemia stimulates secretion of αVβ3 ligands from vascular cells including endothelial cells resulting in activation of the αVβ3 integrin. Researchers determined if blocking ligand occupancy of αVβ3 would inhibit the development of diabetic nephropathy. [Endocrinology] Abstract CD97 Inhibits Cell Migration in Human Fibrosarcoma Cell by Modulating TIMP-2/MT1-MMP/MMP-2 Activity Researchers report that CD97 expression in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells enhanced TIMP-2 secretion, leading to reduced MT1-MMP and MMP-2 activities. This, in turn, impaired cell migration and invasion in vitro and lung macrometastasis in vivo. [FEBS J] Abstract Single Blastomere Removal from Murine Embryos Is Associated with Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription Pathways of Placental Inflammation Scientists aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms through which placental signaling is deregulated by blastomere removal. Four-cell stage murine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization were subjected to removal of a single blastomere (biopsied) or to the same manipulations without the blastomere removal (controls). [Mol Hum Reprod] Abstract CCL2 Promotes Integrin-Mediated Adhesion of Prostate Cancer Cells In Vitro Since chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is significantly up-regulated in patients with prostate cancer, researchers assessed whether CCL2 contributes to invasive behavior of prostate cancer cells in vitro. [World J Urol] Abstract Differential Subcellular and Extracellular Localizations of Proteins Required for Insulin-Like Growth Factor- and Extracellular Matrix-Induced Signaling Events in Breast Cancer Progression Researchers investigated the prognostic potential of insulin-like growth factor- and extracellular matrix interaction-induced proteins in the early identification of breast cancers with a propensity to metastasize using patient-derived tissue microarrays. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article Cell and Matrix Modulation in Prenatal and Postnatal Equine Growth Cartilage, Zones of Ranvier and Articular Cartilage Samples of the distal radius were collected from prenatal and postnatal equine growth plates, zones of Ranvier and articular cartilage with the aim of identifying Notch signaling components and cells with stem cell-like characteristics and to follow changes in matrix protein localization during joint development. [J Anat] Abstract |