Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.10 | Mar 21 2019

TOP STORY

Local Nascent Protein Deposition and Remodeling Guide Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Mechanosensing and Fate in Three-Dimensional Hydrogels

In two engineered hydrogels of interest in 3D mechanobiology studies—proteolytically degradable covalently crosslinked hyaluronic acid and dynamic viscoelastic hyaluronic acid hydrogels—mesenchymal stromal cell spreading, YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation and osteogenic differentiation were observed with culture. [Nat Mater] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Strong Triaxial Coupling and Anomalous Poisson Effect in Collagen Networks

In vitro experiments with low-density networks showed that the anomalous Poisson effect facilitated higher densification of fibrous tracts, associated with the invasion of cancerous acinar cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Thrombospondin-2 Regulates Extracellular Matrix Production, LOX Levels, and Cross-Linking via Downregulation of miR-29

Through a fractionated quantitative proteomics approach, researchers showed that loss of thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) led to a unique ECM phenotype characterized by a significant decrease in fibrillar collagen, matricellular, and structural ECM protein production in the skin of TSP2 KO mice. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Drug-Loaded Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel as a Sustained-Release Regimen with Dual Effects in Early Intervention of Tendinopathy

Investigators aimed to develop a sustained-release regimen with an intrinsic therapeutic effect in tendinopathy treatment, using oxidised hyaluronic acid/adipic acid dihydrazide hydrogel (HA hydrogel) as both the drug carrier and a mitigating agent of symptoms. They showed that the HA hydrogel could mitigate tendinopathy changes both in vitro and in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Glycosaminoglycans Influence Enzyme Activity of MMP2 and MMP2/TIMP3 Complex Formation – Insights at Cellular and Molecular Level

The authors investigated the molecular interplay of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) with different glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the impact of GAG on MMP2/tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) complex formation using in vitro -experiments with human bone marrow stromal cells, in silico docking and molecular dynamics simulations. [Sci Rep] Full Article

MMP-12 Regulates Proliferation of Mouse Macrophages via the ERK/P38 MAPK Pathways during Inflammation

Pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cell line was modulated by matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12) knock down as illustrated by qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, CCK-8, Western Blot and EdU staining assays. Furthermore, down-regulation of MMP-12 decreased the expression and the phosphorylation levels of P38 and ERK1/2. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Integrin α7 Signaling Regulates Connexin 43, M-Cadherin and Myoblast Fusion

Researchers demonstrated that α7-silencing blocked expression of Myod, Myog, Myf6, Myh1 and Tmem8c, indicating that myoblast fusion was inhibited. Expression of α5 and m-cadherin decreased but β1 and connexin 43 increased. They examined protein production and observed reduced extracellular-signal regulated kinase1/2 in α7-silenced cells that correlated with upregulation of connexin 43 and m-cadherin, suggesting a compensatory pathway. [Am J Physiol Cell Physiol] Abstract

ARHGEF4-Mediates the Actin Cytoskeleton Reorganization of Hepatic Stellate Cells in 3-Dimensional Collagen Matrices

Scientists investigated the molecular mechanism of actin cytoskeleton reorganization in hepatic stellate cells cultured in 3D floating collagen matrices compared to those on 2D polystyrene surfaces. [Cell Adh Migr] Abstract

Long Noncoding RNA TM1P3 Is Involved in Osteoarthritis by Mediating Chondrocyte Extracellular Matrix Degradation

The authors aimed to investigate the effects of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and miR-22 on the degradation of the chondrocyte ECM and underlying mechanisms. To simulate conditions found in osteoarthritis, primary cultured chondrocytes were treated with IL-1, TGF-β, or sb525334. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Photochemically Crosslinked Cell-Laden Methacrylated Collagen Hydrogels with High Cell Viability and Functionality

Results from the live-dead assay showed that VA086 crosslinked hydrogels exhibited higher cell viability compared to I2959 crosslinked hydrogels indicating that VA086 was more cytocompatible compared to I2959. Furthermore, Alizarin Red S staining revealed a significantly more pronounced cell-mediated mineralization on VA086 crosslinked hydrogels indicating that Saos-2 cells retained their normal functionality in the presence of VA086. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Fibroblasts Derived from Human Adipose Stem Cells Produce More Effective Extracellular Matrix and Migrate Faster Compared to Primary Dermal Fibroblasts

De novo differentiated fibroblasts produced higher levels of healthy ECM markers elastin, fibronectin, and collagen 1, when compared to primary fibroblasts. In contrast, fibroblasts differentiated from human adipose-derived stem cells had reduced expression of the scar tissue markers αSMA, Collagen 3, and MMP-1. [Aesthet Surg J] Abstract

Self-Assembling Polymeric Dendritic Peptide as Functional Osteogenic Matrix for Periodontal Regeneration Scaffolds—An In Vitro Study

The amino acid lysine was appended onto a diacetylene core, which was converted to a polymeric dendritic lysine matrix (Lys-PDA) through photopolymerization. This bioactive matrix was evaluated in vitro for the viability, adhesion, spreading, and differentiation of cultured human periodontal ligament progenitor cells. [J Periodontal Res] Abstract

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HDAC Inhibitors: Therapeutic Potential in Fibrosis-Associated Human Diseases

Recently, several reports have clearly demonstrated the functional relevance of certain types of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in various kinds of fibrosis and the successful alleviation of the condition in animal models using HDAC inhibitors. In this review, investigators discuss the therapeutic potential of HDAC inhibitors in fibrosis-associated human diseases using results obtained from animal models. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

The Use of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Organoids to Study Extracellular Matrix Development during Neural Degeneration

The roles of ECMs in neural differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and the influences of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, and hyaluronic acid on the progression of neurodegeneration are discussed. The advantages that use stem cell-based organoids to study neural degeneration and to investigate the effects of ECM development on the disease progression are highlighted. [Cells] Full Article

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

Promimic AB Announces Partnership with Onkos Surgical^® for Development of Hydroxyapatite Surface Technology (HA^nano Surface^®) in Limb Salvage Surgery

Promimic AB announced that it has partnered with Onkos Surgical, Inc., to commercialize Promimic’s proprietary Hydroxyapatite Surface Technologies in Limb Salvage Surgery. [Promimic AB] Press Release

ACell Enters Exclusive South Korean Distribution Agreement for Wound Management Product Line

ACell, Inc. announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with MyungMoon Bio Co. Ltd. The terms of the distribution agreement grant exclusive rights to MyungMoon for the sale, marketing, and distribution of ACell’s MicroMatrix^® and Cytal^® Wound Matrix devices in South Korea. [ACell, Inc.] Press Release

CollPlant Renews Distribution Agreement for Its Soft Tissue Repair Product Vergenix™STR with Arthrex a World Leader in Orthopedics

CollPlant announced that it has renewed its exclusive distribution agreement with Arthrex for Vergenix^™STR for the treatment of tendinopathy. Vergenix^™STR is an injectable gel comprised of cross-linked bioengineered recombinant human type I collagen combined with autologous platelet-rich plasma. [CollPlant Ltd.] Press Release

Universities Spooked by Trump Order Tying Free Speech to Grants

US President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order on 21 March that would require universities to certify that they protect free speech or risk losing federal research funds. The order will apply to 12 research agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and NASA, a White House official said. [Nature News] Editorial

Canada Budget Overlooks Basic Research

What a difference a year makes. Canada’s 2019 budget, released on 19 March, includes modest increases for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government priorities, including neuroscience and genomics research ― nothing like the historic five-year, Can$4-billion boost for basic science and research unveiled in 2018. [Nature News] Editorial

U.S. Researchers Hope Congress Will Dig NSF Out of a $1 Billion Budget Hole

For the second time in three years, President Donald Trump has recommended deep cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia. And scientists are hoping Congress will again come to the agency’s rescue. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Collagens & Associated Molecules Supporting Organ Structure & Function
July 14-19, 2019
New London, New Hampshire, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Tissue Engineering (BioTis)

Scientist – Matrix Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Pancreatic Cancer Research (Umeå University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Bone Matrix Research (NUI Galway)

Early Stage Researchers/PhD Positions – Biomechanics in Health & Disease (Phys2BioMed ITN-ETN Network)

Faculty Position – Department of Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh)

University Lecturers – Molecular & Integrative Sciences (University of Helsinki)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Experimental Systems Biology of Lung Regeneration & Fibrosis (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Computational Modeling of Cell-Matrix Interactions (Washington University, St. Louis)

Assistant Professor – Development & Re-Generation of Biological Systems (ETH Zurich)

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