Engineered Hybrid Cardiac Patches with Multifunctional Electronics for Online Monitoring and Regulation of Tissue Function Investigators report an engineered cardiac patch that integrates cardiac cells with flexible, freestanding electronics and a 3D nanocomposite scaffold. The patch exhibited robust electronic properties, enabling the recording of cellular electrical activities and the on-demand provision of electrical stimulation for synchronizing cell contraction. [Nat Mater] Abstract | Press Release Generation and Transplantation of Reprogrammed Human Neurons in the Brain Using 3D Microtopographic Scaffolds Researchers present the design of three-dimensional (3D) microtopographic scaffolds, using tunable electrospun microfibrous polymeric substrates that promote in situ stem cell neuronal reprogramming, neural network establishment and support neuronal engraftment into the brain. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release 1 | Press Release 2 Loss of miR-203 Regulates Cell Shape and Matrix Adhesion through ROBO1/Rac/FAK in Response to Stiffness Scientists identified a SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling circuit as a key regulatory mechanism by which cells sense and respond to extracellular matrix stiffness to preserve tensional homeostasis. [J Cell Biol] Abstract | Editorial | Press Release Collagen-Derived Matricryptins Promote Inhibitory Nerve Terminal Formation in the Developing Neocortex Investigators discovered a novel role for an unconventional collagen—collagen XIX—in the formation of Parvalbumin+ inhibitory synapses. Mechanistically, their studies revealed that a proteolytically released fragment of this collagen, termed a matricryptin, promotes the assembly of inhibitory nerve terminals through integrin receptors. [J Cell Biol] Abstract | Editorial Layered Hydrogels Accelerate iPSC-Derived Neuronal Maturation and Reveal Migration Defects Caused by MeCP2 Dysfunction Scientists developed a previously unidentified 3D migration and differentiation assay in layered hydrogels to examine how cellular phenotypes in neurodevelopmental disorders are affected in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Twist1-Induced Activation of Human Fibroblasts Promotes Matrix Stiffness by Upregulating Palladin and Collagen α1(VI) The authors found that human fibroblast cell lines stably transfected with Twist1 acquired characteristics of activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, such as hyperproliferation, an increased ability to migrate and an alignment of the actin cytoskeleton. Further, Twist1-activated fibroblasts promoted increased matrix stiffness. [Oncogene] Abstract 3D Extracellular Matrix Interactions Modulate Tumor Cell Growth, Invasion and Angiogenesis in Engineered Tumor Microenvironments Researchers studied the effect of integrin binding motifs found within common extracellular matrix proteins on three-dimensional (3D) breast and prostate cancer cell cultures, and co-cultures with endothelial and mesenchymal stromal cells. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Fibrin Hydrogels Functionalized with Cartilage Extracellular Matrix and Incorporating Freshly Isolated Stromal Cells as an Injectable for Cartilage Regeneration Investigators developed an injectable fibrin hydrogel functionalized with cartilage ECM microparticles and transforming growth factor-β3 as a putative therapeutic for articular cartilage regeneration. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Insight on Colorectal Carcinoma Infiltration by Studying Perilesional Extracellular Matrix Scientists investigated the biochemical and physical diversity of extracellular matrix (ECM) in pair-wised comparisons of healthy, perilesional and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) specimens. Progressive linearization and degree of organization of fibrils was observed from healthy to perilesional and CRC ECM, and was associated with a steady increase of stiffness and collagen crosslinking. [Sci Rep] Full Article Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Fibrochondrocytes in Three-Dimensional Co-Culture: Analysis of Cell Shape, Matrix Production, and Mechanical Performance Researchers examined the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) co-culture with primary meniscal fibrochondrocytes (FCCs) in a three-dimensional collagen scaffold in fibrochondrogenic media. Co-culture of MSCs and FCCs was hypothesized to facilitate the transition of MSCs to a FCC cell phenotype as measured by matrix secretion and morphology. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article |