A Plastic Relationship between Vinculin-Mediated Tension and Adhesion Complex Area Defines Adhesion Size and Lifetime Researchers used live cell imaging to map time-dependent cross-correlations between vinculin-mediated tension and adhesion complex area, revealing a plastic, context-dependent relationship. [Nat Commun] Full Article Cross-Scale Integrin Regulation Organizes ECM and Tissue Topology Investigators elucidated a cross-scale mechanism for tissue assembly and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling involving cadherin 2, the ECM protein fibronectin, and its receptor integrin α5. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Alkaline Phosphatase-Mimicking Peptide Nanofibers for Osteogenic Differentiation The authors report enhanced bone regeneration efficiency through peptide nanofibers carrying both catalytic and matrix-regulatory functions of alkaline phosphatase, a versatile enzyme that plays a critical role in bone formation by regulating phosphate homeostasis and calcifiable bone matrix formation. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Immunomodulatory Polymeric Scaffold Enhances Extracellular Matrix Production in Cell Co-Cultures under Dynamic Mechanical Stimulation Researchers determined if a tubular degradable polyurethane scaffold could be used in a co-culture system along with dynamic biomechanical stimulus conditions in order to direct monocytes to enhance tissue generation, and to better comprehend the different ways in which monocytes/macrophages may contribute to new tissue production. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Mechanical Overloading Causes Mitochondrial Superoxide and SOD2 Imbalance in Chondrocytes Resulting in Cartilage Degeneration A genetically manipulated model revealed that Sod2 deficiency in chondrocytes resulted in mitochondrial superoxide overproduction and dysfunction, thus leading to cartilage degeneration. [Sci Rep] Full Article Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Provide Considerable Advantages in Epidermal Regeneration: B7H4 Creates a Moderate Inflammation Microenvironment to Promote Wound Repair Researchers examined the advantages of using human amniotic fluid stem (hAFS) cells in skin wound healing. During wound repair, hAFS cells did not directly secrete repair-related factors, such as bFGF, VEGF, CXCL12, TGF-β1 and KGF, and provided a moderate inflammation reaction with lower expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Cox2 and Mac3. [Sci Rep] Full Article The Role of iNOS in Cholesterol-Induced Liver Fibrosis The authors investigated the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cholesterol-induced liver fibrosis by feeding wild-type and iNOS-deficient mice with control or high-cholesterol diet for six weeks. Enhanced liver fibrosis in the presence of iNOS was associated with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α stabilization, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, and enhanced hepatic DNA damage. [Lab Invest] Abstract Postinfarction Functional Recovery Driven by a Three-Dimensional Engineered Fibrin Patch Composed of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers examined the ability of a three-dimensional engineered fibrin patch filled with human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells to induce recovery of cardiac function after myocardial infarction. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release Laminin Peptide-Immobilized Hydrogels Modulate Valve Endothelial Cell Hemostatic Regulation Investigators used a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogel platform to evaluate the effects of substrate stiffness and cell adhesive ligands on valve endothelial cells phenotype and expression of hemostatic genes. [PLoS One] Full Article |