An Oncogenic Role of ​Agrin in Regulating Focal Adhesion Integrity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Investigators uncovered a critical oncogenic role of ​Agrin, which is overexpressed and secreted in hepatocellular carcinoma. ​Agrin enhances cellular proliferation, migration and oncogenic signaling. [Nat Commun] Full Article ADAM8 as a Drug Target in Pancreatic Cancer Researchers show that ​ADAM8 expression is associated with increased migration and invasiveness of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells caused by activation of ​ERK1/2 and higher MMP activities. [Nat Commun] Abstract Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment Normalizes Tuberculosis Granuloma Vasculature and Improves Small Molecule Delivery Researchers identified a novel therapeutic target for tuberculosis, the abnormal granuloma-associated vasculature that contributes to the abnormal granuloma microenvironment. They attempted to “normalize” granuloma vasculature by blocking VEGF signaling, an approach originally shown to enhance cancer treatment. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release TFIIH-Dependent MMP-1 Overexpression in Trichothiodystrophy Leads to Extracellular Matrix Alterations in Patient Skin Investigators identified a trichothiodystrophy-specific overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), leading to collagen I degradation in patient skin. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Three-Dimensional Microenvironment Confers Enhanced Sensitivity to Doxorubicin by Reducing p53-Dependent Induction of Autophagy Scientists evaluated the microenvironmental control of human breast cancer cells responses to doxorubicin using the three-dimensional laminin-rich extracellular matrix cell culture model. [Oncogene] Abstract Collagen VI Regulates Pericellular Matrix Properties, Chondrocyte Swelling, and Mechanotransduction in Articular Cartilage Investigators examined the hypothesis that type VI collagen is necessary for mechanotransduction in articular cartilage, by determining the effects of type VI collagen knockout on the activation of the mechano-osmosensitive calcium-permeable channel, transient receptor potential vanilloid 4, osmotically-induced chondrocyte swelling, and pericellular matrix mechanical properties. [Arthritis Rheumatol] Abstract Self-Organization of Polarized Cerebellar Tissue in 3D Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Researchers found that a polarized cerebellar structure self-organizes in 3D human embryonic stem cell culture. The addition of fibroblast growth factor 19 promotes spontaneous generation of dorsoventrally polarized neural-tube-like structures at the level of the cerebellum. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release In Vitro Expansion of Corneal Endothelial Cells on Biomimetic Substrates Investigators hypothesized that a bioengineered substrate recapitulating chemo-mechanical properties of Descemet’s membrane would improve the in vitro expansion of corneal endothelial (CE) cells while maintaining phenotype. Results show that bovine CE cells cultured on a polydimethylsiloxane surface with elastic modulus of 50 kPa and collagen IV coating achieved >3000-fold expansion. [Sci Rep] Full Article Engineering an In Vitro Air-Blood Barrier by 3D Bioprinting The authors report on the biofabrication of a human air-blood tissue barrier analogue composed of an endothelial cell, basement membrane and epithelial cell layer by using a bioprinting technology. [Sci Rep] Full Article Engineering Vascularized Adipose Tissue Using the Stromal-Vascular Fraction and Fibrin Hydrogels Vascularized adipose tissue constructs were generated using uncultured cells from the stromal-vascular fraction of adipose tissue (SVF) as an alternative cell source to adipose-derived stem cells. SVF cell behavior and tissue formation were compared in a stable fibrin formulation developed by researchers and a commercial fibrin sealant upon direct subcutaneous implantation in a nude mouse model. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Pushing the Envelope in Tissue Engineering: Ex Vivo Production of Thick Vascularized Cardiac ECM Constructs Investigators previously reported the successful preservation of main vascular conduits in isolated thick acellular porcine cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). They now unveil this scaffold’s potential in supporting human cardiomyocytes and promoting new blood vessel development ex vivo, providing long-term cell-support in the construct bulk. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract |