Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.25 | Jun 30 2016

TOP STORY

Prolactin Signaling through Focal Adhesion Complexes Is Amplified by Stiff Extracellular Matrices in Breast Cancer Cells

In order to dissect the extracellular matrix features that control prolactin signals, researchers cultured T47D and MCF-7 cells on polyacrylamide hydrogels of varying elastic moduli with varying collagen-I concentrations. [Oncotarget] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Transformed MDCK Cells Secrete Elevated MMP1 that Generates LAMA5 Fragments Promoting Endothelial Cell Angiogenesis

Researchers characterized 21D1 cells with knocked-down matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1 expression. MMP1 silencing diminished 21D1 cell migration, invasion and anchorage-independent growth in vitro. Depletion of MMP1 lowered the ability of the cellular secretome (extracellular culture medium) to influence recipient cell behavior. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Reoxygenation Enhances Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Degradation of the Extracellular Matrix Produced by Chondrogenic Cells

Scientists examined how mesenchymal stem cell-based neocartilage responds to tumor necrosis factor alpha compared to articular chondrocyte-based neocartilage. [Eur Cell Mater] Abstract | Full Article

IL-10 Reduces Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Degradation after Injurious Compression of Mature Articular Cartilage

Investigators examined whether anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) exerts chondroprotective effects in an in vitro model of a single mechanical injury of mature articular cartilage. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage] Abstract

Regulation of Fibronectin Gene Expression in Cardiac Fibroblasts by Scleraxis

Over-expression or knockdown of scleraxis resulted in increased or decreased fibronectin expression, respectively, and scleraxis null mice presented with dramatically decreased immunolabeling for fibronectin in cardiac tissue sections compared to wild-type controls. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Chondroitin Sulfate- and Decorin-Based Self-Assembling Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Investigators report the development of two novel biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering with bioactive motifs, aiming to emulate the native cartilage extracellular matrix. [PLoS One] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix of Current Biological Scaffolds Promotes the Differentiation Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors quantitatively assessed the ability of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate toward bone, fat, cartilage, and tendon lineages when grown on commercially available scaffolds compared with control and native tendon tissue. [Arthroscopy] Abstract

Hypoxia Potentiates Anabolic Effects of Exogenous Hyaluronic Acid in Rat Articular Cartilage

The authors investigated whether hypoxia could potentiate the anabolic effects of exogenous hyaluronic acid (HA) in rat articular cartilage and whether these mechanisms involved HA receptors. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Effects of Human Fibroblast-Derived Extracellular Matrix on Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Researchers investigated the effect of a bioengineered human dermal fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix on the regulation of human mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and multilineage differentiation. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Novel Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Fibroblasts and Fibrosis in Heart Disease

The authors outline the origins and roles of fibroblasts in cardiac development, homeostasis and disease, illustrate the involvement of fibroblasts in current and emerging clinical interventions, and identify future targets for research and development. [Nat Rev Drug Discov] Abstract | Press Release

Integrin-Mediated Regulation of Epidermal Wound Functions

The authors discuss current knowledge of integrin function in the epidermis, which implicates them as attractive therapeutic targets to promote wound healing or treat wound pathologies. They also discuss challenges that arise from the complex roles that multiple integrins play in wound epidermis, which may be regulated through extracellular matrix remodeling that determines ligand availability. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field.

CorMatrix^® CanGaroo^® ECM^® Envelope Receives CE Mark Approval

CorMatrix^® Cardiovascular Incorporated announced that it has received CE mark approval for its CorMatrix^® CanGaroo^® ECM^® Envelope. [CorMatrix^® Cardiovascular Incorporated] Press Release

INMARK™ Now Enrolling: First Study to Evaluate the Effect of OFEV^® (Nintedanib) on Biomarkers Reflecting the Underlying Fibrotic Process in IPF Patients

Boehringer Ingelheim announced that the first patient has been enrolled in a new study, INMARK™ investigating the effect of OFEV^® on changes in specific blood biomarkers. These changes in biomarkers indicate the excessive scarring in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH] Press Release

NEW The Art of Communication: Signaling Cascades in Mechanotransduction
September 5-6, 2016
Cardiff, United Kingdom

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the extracellular matrix community.

NEW Faculty Positions – Cell Biology and Physiology (Washington University School of Medicine)

NEW PhD Student and Postdoctoral Position – Development of Novel Synthetic 3D Tissue Models (Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Biomedicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – Vascular Biology and Metabolism (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Inflammatory Mechanisms Involved in Aortic Aneurysm (NYU Langone Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Angiogenesis, Proteases and Extracellular Matrix (GENYO)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine (Queen Mary University of London)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Intracellular Calcium Cycling (Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Biomechanics (Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School)

MSc Position – Extracellular Matrix Genes during Aging (ETH Zurich)

Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular Matrix Genes during Aging (ETH Zurich)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cervical Extracellular Matrix (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

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