Dermal Cell News Volume 5.23 | Jul 8 2019

TOP STORY

RAC1^P29S Induces a Mesenchymal Phenotypic Switch via Serum Response Factor to Promote Melanoma Development and Therapy Resistance

Researchers studied the role of RAC1^P29S in melanoma development and revealed that RAC1^P29S activated PAK, AKT, and a gene expression program initiated by the SRF/MRTF transcriptional pathway, which results in a melanocytic to mesenchymal phenotypic switch. [Cancer Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Noncoding dsRNA Induces Retinoic Acid Synthesis to Stimulate Hair Follicle Regeneration via TLR3

Scientists showed that self-noncoding dsRNA activated the anti-viral receptor toll like receptor 3 (TLR3) to induce intrinsic retinoic acid synthesis in a pattern that predicted new hair follicle formation after wounding in mice. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Long-Term Expansion and Differentiation of Adult Murine Epidermal Stem Cells in 3D Organoid Cultures

The authors describe an epidermal organoid culture system that allowed long-term, genetically stable expansion of adult epidermal stem cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Overexpression of Nanog in Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Accelerates Dermal Papilla Cell Activity and Promotes Hair Follicle Regeneration

Scientists evaluated the paracrine effects of amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium overexpressing Nanog by monitoring secretory molecules related to hair regeneration and growth and proliferation of dermal papilla cells. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Inhibition of Cyclin‐Dependent Kinase Activity Exacerbates H₂0₂‐Induced DNA Damage in Kindler Syndrome Keratinocytes

Using keratinocytes derived from a patient with Kindler Syndrome, into which wild type kindlin‐1 has been expressed, scientists showed that kindlin‐1 bound to cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)1 and CDK2. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

m⁶A mRNA Demethylase FTO Regulates Melanoma Tumorigenicity and Response to Anti-PD-1 Blockade

Investigators showed that N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) mRNA demethylation by fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) increased melanoma growth and decreased response to anti-PD-1 blockade immunotherapy. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Cancer Cell-Derived Long Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) Promotes Melanoma Migration through a Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Elevated PTX3 production was observed in the population of MITF^low invasive cells but not in the population of MITF^high differentiated melanoma cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

Search for Novel STAT3-Dependent Genes Reveals SERPINA3 as a New STAT3 Target that Regulates Invasion of Human Melanoma Cells

To identify genes that are driven by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in human melanoma cells, scientists performed JAK/STAT signaling specific and global gene expression profiling of human melanoma cells with silenced STAT3 expression. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Melanin Presence Inhibits Melanoma Cell Spread in Mice in a Unique Mechanical Fashion

Researchers showed that melanin dramatically modified the elastic properties of melanoma cells and inhibited the cells invasive abilities in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer Stem Cells in Melanoma: Possible Therapeutic Implications

The authors highlight the molecular and biological features of the subpopulation of cancer stem cells, well known to be characterized by self-renewal properties, deeply involved in triggering the processes of tumor generation, metastasis, progression and drug resistance. [Semin Cancer Biol] Abstract

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

Intensity Therapeutics Announces Clinical Collaboration with Merck

Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Merck, through a subsidiary, to evaluate the combination of Intensity’s lead product candidate INT230-6 and KEYTRUDA^®, Merck’s anti-programmed death receptor-1 therapy, in patients with advanced solid malignancies including pancreatic, bile duct, squamous cell and non-MSI high colon cancers. [Intensity Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Targovax Announces Encouraging Results from Part 1 of the ONCOS-102 and Keytruda Combination Trial in Anti-PD1 Refractory Melanoma

Targovax ASA announced that clinical responses were observed in three out of nine patients in part 1 of the ONCOS-102 and Keytruda combination trial in anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitor refractory advanced melanoma, corresponding to an overall response rate of 33%. [Targovax ASA] Press Release

CHMP Recommends Approval of Dupixent^® (Dupilumab) for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Adolescents

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion for Dupixent^® recommending extending its approval in the European Union to also include adolescents 12 to 17 years of age with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who are candidates for systemic therapy. [Sanofi] Press Release

Libtayo^® (Cemiplimab) Approved for Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the European Union

The European Commission has granted conditional marketing authorization for Libtayo^® for the treatment of adults with metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. [Sanofi] Press Release

Almirall Exercises Its Option with Dermira to License Rights to Lebrikizumab in Europe for Atopic Dermatitis

Almirall, S.A. and Dermira, Inc. announced that Almirall has exercised its option to license rights to develop and commercialize lebrikizumab for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and certain other indications in Europe. [Almirall, S.A.] Press Release

Cancer Vaccine to Treat Melanoma and Osteosarcoma

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a vaccine for melanoma and osteosarcoma cancers based on the tumor-specific antigen disialoganglioside. [University of Florida] Press Release

Hungarian Government Takes Control of Research Institutes despite Outcry

After months of struggle between Hungary’s research ministry and its scientific community, the nation’s parliament ratified a law on 2 July that gives the government control over the 40 or so institutes belonging to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The government says that its aim is to make research more innovative. [Nature News] Editorial

Stem Cell Funding Agency CIRM Is Nearly Out of Funds

After funding stem cell research since 2004, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is running out of funds. The state agency currently has funding requests for $88 million pending but only $33 million left to give out to scientists. [The Scientist] Editorial

Mexican President Eases Up on Researchers’ Travel Rules

A month after announcing increased austerity measures on international travel for scientists, Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology announced last month that at least one restriction would be loosened. Scientists would not require presidential approval for every trip abroad. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW 2019 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference
November 3-5, 2019
Glasgow, United Kingdom

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

NEW Faculty Position – Melanoma and Skin Immunobiology (Medical College of Wisconsin)

NEW Doctoral Candidate – Tattoo Inks (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment)

NEW Research Fellowship – Cancer Biology (Ninewells Hospital and Medical School)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships – Tissue Engineering (University of Oslo)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Drug Response Research (University of Texas at Austin)

Research Lab Specialist – Tumor Microenvironment & Cell Behavior (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Fellow or PhD Student – Cell and Developmental Biology (University of Geneva)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Epithelial Growth in Development and Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Fellowship – Melanoma (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

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