Dermal Cell News Volume 5.14 | Apr 22 2019

TOP STORY

A Novel CDKN2A Variant (p16^L117P) in a Patient with Familial and Multiple Primary Melanomas

Compared to wild-type CDKN2A (p16), the p16^L117P mutant largely retained binding capacity for cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and CDK6 but exhibited impaired capacity for repressing cell cycle progression and inducing senescence, while retaining its ability to reduce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. [Pigment Cell Melanoma Res] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Newly Defined ABCB5⁺ Dermal Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Healing of Chronic Iron Overload Wounds via Secretion of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist

Local administration of dermal ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 5 (ABCB5)⁺-derived MSCs attenuated macrophage-dominated inflammation and thereby accelerated healing of full-thickness excisional wounds in the iron overload mouse model mimicking the non-healing state of human venous leg ulcers. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Polymeric Micelle Nanocarriers for Targeted Epidermal Delivery of the Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor Vismodegib: Formulation Development and Cutaneous Biodistribution in Human Skin

Cutaneous biodistribution in human skin under infinite and finite dose conditions showed that the vismodegib concentrations obtained in the basal epidermis were ˃3800- and ˃2300-fold greater than the IC₅₀ reported for hedgehog signaling pathway inhibition in vitro. [Expert Opin Drug Deliv] Abstract

Compromising Human Skin In Vivo and Ex Vivo to Study Skin Barrier Repair

Both in vivo and ex vivo regenerated stratum corneum had an altered ceramide subclass composition, with increased percentages of sphingosine-based subclass and decreased percentages of phytosphingosine-based subclass ceramides, a reduced mean ceramide chain length, and a higher percentage of unsaturated ceramides. [Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids] Abstract

Validation of a 16th Century Traditional Chinese Medicine Use of Ginkgo biloba as a Topical Antimicrobial

Investigators demonstrated that Ginkgo seed coats and immature seeds exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive skin pathogens, and thus validated its use in traditional Chinese medicine. They also identified one compound tied to the antibacterial activity observed, ginkgolic acid C15:1, and examined its toxicity to human keratinocytes. [Front Microbiol] Abstract | Press Release

mTORC1 Is Required for Expression of LRPPRC and Cytochrome C Oxidase but Not HIF-1α in Leigh Syndrome French Canadian Type Patient Fibroblasts

Inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) with rapamycin did not alter hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α or pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) kinase 1 protein levels in Leigh syndrome French Canadian type (LSFC) fibroblasts. However, this treatment increased PDH1-α phosphorylation in control and LSFC cells and reduced ATP levels in control cells. [Am J Physiol Cell Physiol] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Senescence as a Main Mechanism of Ritonavir and Ritonavir-NO Action against Melanoma

The authors explored the effect and mechanism of two HIV-protease inhibitors: Ritonavir and Ritonavir-nitric oxide (Ritonavir-NO) on in vitro growth of melanoma cell lines. NO modification significantly improved the antitumor potential of Ritonavir, as the IC₅₀ values of Ritonavir-NO were approximately two times lower than IC₅₀ values of the parental compound. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Low Molecular Weight Heparin and Direct Oral Anticoagulants Influence Tumor Formation, Growth, Invasion and Vascularization by Separate Mechanisms

WM-266-4 melanoma and AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with Tinzaparin and Dalteparin, and Apixaban and Rivaroxaban and the rate of tumor formation, growth and invasion were measured in vitro. Tinzaparin and Daltepain reduced tumor formation and invasion by the cell lines in vitro, but with dissimilar potencies. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Silencing of MicroRNA-27a Facilitates Autophagy and Apoptosis of Melanoma Cells through the Activation of the SYK-Dependent mTOR Signaling Pathway

Researchers aimed to identify the role of miR-27a in autophagy and apoptosis of melanoma cells in regulating the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK)-mediated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Microarray-based analysis results showed that SYK was lowly expressed in melanoma cells and may be regulated by miR-27a. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

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T Cells and the Skin: From Protective Immunity to Inflammatory Skin Disorders

The authors consider how a better understanding of cutaneous T cell responses can aid in the development of effective new therapies for immune-mediated cutaneous diseases. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the dermal cell research field.

Dynavax to Present Data on Toll-Like Receptor 9 Agonist SD-101

Dynavax Technologies Corporation announced it will present data from a Phase Ib/II combination study of SD-101 and pembrolizumab for patients with advanced melanoma and for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [Press release from Dynavax Technologies Corporation discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals Announces Acceptances of PV-10 Poster Presentations

Provectus announced that data from clinical trials of lead investigational cancer agent PV-10 will be presented on two poster presentations. [Press release from Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.) discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Kiniksa to Present Clinical and Preclinical Data for KPL-716

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. announced that it will present clinical and preclinical data for KPL-716, an investigational fully-human monoclonal antibody that targets oncostatin M receptor beta. [Press release from Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. discussing research to be presented at the 77^th Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID), Chicago] Press Release

Mateon Enters into Merger Agreement with Oncotelic

Mateon Therapeutics, Inc. and Oncotelic Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement with respect to a merger, creating a publicly traded immuno-oncology company with a robust pipeline of first in class TGF-β immunotherapies for late stage cancers such as gliomas, pancreatic cancer and melanoma. [Mateon Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Precision Therapeutics’ Subsidiary Helomics and National Alopecia Areata Foundation Sign Services Agreement to Provide Next-Generation Patient Registry for Alopecia Areata Research

Precision Therapeutics, Inc. announced a services agreement between its wholly owned subsidiary, Helomics and the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, which serves the community of people affected by an autoimmune skin disease called alopecia areata that results in hair loss and emotional pain, to provide a next generation patient registry to drive research into new treatments for people with this disease. [Precision Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Announces Change of Primary Endpoint in Ongoing RESOLVE-1 Phase III Study in Systemic Sclerosis in US to ACR CRISS from mRSS Following Meeting with FDA

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. announced that following a Type C meeting with the FDA, Corbus will change the primary efficacy endpoint of the ongoing RESOLVE-1 Phase III trial for systemic sclerosis in the US to the American College of Rheumatology Combined Response Index in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (ACR CRISS) score at week 52. [Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.] Press Release

Senhwa Biosciences Silmitasertib of Basal Cell Carcinoma Trial Completed 1st Patient Enrollment

Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. announced that the clinical trial of Silmitasertib for the treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma has enrolled its first patient at Texas Oncology. [Senhwa Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Major US Cancer Center Ousts ‘Asian’ Researchers after NIH Flags Their Foreign Ties

The MD Anderson Cancer Center has ousted three senior researchers after the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, informed it that the scientists had committed potentially “serious” violations of agency rules involving confidentiality of peer review and the disclosure of foreign ties. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Indian Scientists Launch Preprint Repository to Boost Research Quality

Researchers in India will soon have their own preprint repository where they can post manuscripts from any discipline. The founders of IndiaRxiv hope it will improve the quality of science in the country. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization
July 7-12, 2019
Newry, Maine, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Position – Molecular Biology & Cancer Research (Augusta University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Biology (University of Miami)

Research Assistant II – Melanoma Medical Oncology (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Epidermal Stem Cell Research (UC San Diego)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Immune-Epidermal Cell Stress Response (Queen Mary University of London)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immune Cell-Mediated Regulation (Hospital for Special Surgery)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Skin Biology (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Director – Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (National Institutes of Health)

Research Assistant – Burn Research (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Tumor Immunology and Cancer Metabolism (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)

PhD Position – Epidermal Tissue Mechanics (Forschungszentrum Jülich)

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