ERK-Regulated αB-Crystallin Induction by Matrix Detachment Inhibits Anoikis and Promotes Lung Metastasis In Vivo Researchers report that αB-crystallin, an antiapoptotic molecular chaperone implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse poor-prognosis solid tumors, is induced by matrix detachment and confers anoikis resistance. [Oncogene] Abstract Biomineralized Matrices Dominate Soluble Cues to Direct Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells through Adenosine Signaling Scientists examined the mechanism through which mineralized matrix suppresses adipogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells to promote their osteogenic differentiation. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract hiPS-MSCs Differentiation towards Fibroblasts on a 3D ECM Mimicking Scaffold Investigators developed a functional extracellular matrix (ECM) mimicking scaffold that is capable to supply spatial allocation of stem cells as well as anchorage and storage of growth factors to direct stem cells differentiate towards fibroblasts. [Sci Rep] Full Article Static Stretch Affects Neural Stem Cell Differentiation in an Extracellular Matrix-Dependent Manner Researchers delivered a 10% static equibiaxial stretch to neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) and examined effects on differentiation. They found static stretch specifically impacts NSPC differentiation into oligodendrocytes, but not neurons or astrocytes, and this effect is dependent on particular extracellular matrix-integrin linkages. [Sci Rep] Full Article PTP-PEST and β8 Integrin Control Spatiotemporal Patterns of RhoGDI1 Activation in Migrating Cells β8 integrin and PTP-PEST form protein complexes at the leading edge of migrating cells, and balanced patterns of Rac1 and Cdc42 signaling by controlling the subcellular localization and phosphorylation status of rho GDP dissociation inhibitor 1 (RhoGDI1). [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract The Role of Multicellular Aggregation in the Survival of ErbB2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells during Extracellular Matrix-Detachment The authors identified a novel mechanism by which anoikis is inhibited in ErbB2 expressing cells: multicellular aggregation during extracellular matrix-detachment. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Compaction, Fusion, and Functional Activation of Three-Dimensional Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aggregate To assess the influence of actin-mediated contractility on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) aggregation and properties, actin modulators were added at different stages of aggregation and their impacts on hMSC aggregate compaction and apoptosis were monitored. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract The Biophysical Properties of Basal Lamina Gels Depend on the Biochemical Composition of the Gel Investigators compared four different commercial variants of extracellular matrix, which have all had been purified according to the same protocol. They showed that these differences correlated with the mechanical properties and the microarchitecture of the gels which in turn arise from small variations in their biochemical composition. [PLoS One] Full Article A 3D In Situ Cell Counter Reveals That Breast Tumor Cell (MDA-MB-231) Proliferation Rate Is Reduced by the Collagen Matrix Density Using a breast tumor cell line, MDA-MB-231, as a model system, researchers demonstrated that MDA-MB-231 cells grew slower within a 3D collagen matrix than on a 2D substrate for an extended growth time with a comparable, initial cell-to-cell distance, and that their cell growth rate decreased with the increase of collagen concentration, showing a linear growth rate rather than an exponential growth rate. [Biotechnol Prog] Abstract Increased Microenvironment Stiffness in Damaged Myofibers Promotes Myogenic Progenitor Cell Proliferation Scientists studied the effect of damaged myofibers on myogenic progenitor cell (MPC) proliferation and determined whether the structural integrity of the microenvironment contributes to phenotypic changes. They showed that individual myofibers tend to shrink or collapse when cultured ex vivo starting from day 1 and that this is associated with a marked increase in the number of proliferative MPCs. [Skeletal Muscle] Abstract | Full Article |