Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.25 | Jun 28 2018

TOP STORY

PROX1 Is a Transcriptional Regulator of MMP14

Researchers showed that PROX1 suppresses the transcription of MMP14, a metalloprotease involved in angiogenesis and cancer invasion, by binding and suppressing the activity of MMP14 promoter. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Targeting Transglutaminase 2 Partially Restores Extracellular Matrix Structure but not Alveolar Architecture in Experimental Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Researchers assessed whether transglutaminase 2 plays a causal role in normal and aberrant lung alveolarization. [FEBS J] Abstract

Cell Clustering Mediated by the Adhesion Protein PVRL4 Is Necessary for α6β4 Integrin-Promoted Ferroptosis Resistance in Matrix-Detached Cells

Investigators observed that matrix-detached epithelial and carcinoma cells cluster spontaneously via a mechanism that involves the cell adhesion protein PVRL4. They found that this clustering process allows these cells to survive by stimulating a PVRL4/α6β4/Src signaling axis that sustains GPX4 expression and buffers against lipid peroxidation. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Invadosome-Mediated Human Extracellular Matrix Degradation by Entamoeba histolytica

Scientists showed that the EhMSP-1 silenced parasites cannot efficiently form specialized dot-like polymerized actin structures upon interaction with the human ECM component fibronectin. [Infect Immun] Abstract

Increased Extracellular Matrix Deposition during Chondrogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells from Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: An In Vitro 2D and 3D Study

The authors evaluated in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells from individuals with neurofibromatosis 1 using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures. [Orphanet J Rare Dis] Full Article

A Novel Molecular Mechanism of MicroRNA-21 Inducing Pulmonary Fibrosis and Human Pulmonary Fibroblast Extracellular Matrix through Transforming Growth Factor β1-Mediated SMADs Activation

miR-21 inhibition reduced ECM protein levels in bleomycin-induced mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. In human pulmonary fibroblast, miR-21 inhibition reduced transforming growth factor β1-induced ECM protein expression. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Involvement of GSK3/β-Catenin in the Action of Extracellular ATP on Differentiation of Primary Cultures from Rat Calvaria into Osteoblasts

The authors investigated the involvement of the GSK3/βcatenin signaling in the action of ATPγ-S on osteogenic differentiation of primary cell cultures from rat calvaria. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

The Fucose Salvage Pathway Inhibits Invadopodia Formation and Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Melanoma Cells

Scientists report that the fucose salvage pathway inhibits invadopodia formation and extracellular matrix degradation by promoting α-1,2 fucosylation. Chemically or genetically increasing the fucose salvage pathway decreased invadopodium numbers and inhibited the proteolytic activity of invadopodia in WM793 melanoma cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix Surface Regulates Self-Assembly of Three-Dimensional Placental Trophoblast Spheroids

The authors investigated the effects of varying the surface properties of two ECMs, collagen I and Matrigel, on placental trophoblast cell morphology, viability, proliferation, and expression of markers involved in differentiation/syncytial fusion. [PLoS One] Full Article

BMP2/Smad Signaling Pathway Is Involved in the Inhibition Function of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 on Vascular Calcification

Researchers investigated the effect of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21 on calcification of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and its mechanism. FGF21 inhibited beta-glycerophosphate induced mineralization in VSMCs as determined by calcium concentration and Alizarin Red S. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

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Extracellular Matrix-Driven Congenital Muscular Dystrophies

The authors summarize the clinical features of two of the most common congenital muscular dystrophies, COL6-related dystrophies and LAMA2-related dystrophies, which are caused by mutations in muscle ECM and basement membrane proteins. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

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Boehringer Ingelheim Bolsters Biologics Research and Development with 230 Million Euro Investment in New Development Center

Boehringer Ingelheim announced a 230 million euro investment into a new Biologicals Development Center at the company’s Research and Development site in Biberach, Germany during the foundation stone laying for the new center. [Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH] Press Release

Health Hub Launches in Collaboration with UCSF

UC San Francisco and a newly formed, next-generation nonprofit organization, Health Hub, are announcing their plans to affiliate. Health Hub is designed to help UCSF inventors and qualified entrepreneurs from the local community access the support and professional development they need to grow and build successful companies. [University of California, San Francisco] Press Release

Science Candidates: High-Tech Smarts Aren’t Enough for Defeated Obama Aide

For many first-time congressional candidates with science and technology backgrounds, fundraising can be a major obstacle. Not to Brian Forde, who was once a senior technology adviser to former-President Barack Obama. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Macchiarini Guilty of Misconduct, but Whistleblowers Share Blame, New Karolinska Institute Verdict Finds

The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm has finally, officially, found disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini guilty of scientific misconduct. However, the verdict is a bitter pill for the four people who raised the alarm about Macchiarini’s fraud. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Top US Court Upholds Trump Travel Ban: Student Visas Already in Decline

The travel restrictions now vary by country, and include some exemptions for students. But data from the Department of Justice reveal that the government issued just 289 visas to students from Iran, Libya, Yemen and Somalia in the first three months of this year. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 2018 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference
November 4-6, 2018
Glasgow, United Kingdom

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NEW Postdoctoral Associate – Biomedical Engineering (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (NYU Langone Medical Center)

PhD Position – Mechanobiological Control over Tissue Differentiation (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin)

Postdoctoral Positions – Bone Tissue Regeneration (Stomatological Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University)

Research Associate – Regenerative Medicine (University of Bristol)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Skeletal Muscle and Tendon Connective Matrix Biology and Mechanotransduction (Weill Cornell Medical College)

Director – Davis Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine (MDI Biological Laboratory)

Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of San Diego)

Full Professor – Biomedical Sciences (Dublin City University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bioengineering (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Matrix Biology and Reproduction (University of Texas Southwestern Medical School)

Faculty Position – Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Seattle Children’s Research Institute)

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