Extracellular Matrix News Volume 11.05 | Feb 13 2020

TOP STORY

Defining the Adult Neural Stem Cell Niche Proteome Identifies Key Regulators of Adult Neurogenesis

Investigators found differing compositions of regulatory ECM components in the neurogenic niche. They showed that quiescent neural stem cells were the main source of their local ECM, including the multi-functional enzyme transglutaminase 2, which they showed was crucial for neurogenesis. [Cell Stem Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Inhibition of Rac1 Activity by NSC23766 Prevents Cartilage Endplate Degeneration via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Scientists revealed that Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 treatment promoted the expression of collagen II, aggrecan and Sox-9, and decreased the expression of ADAMTS5 and MMP13 in IL-1β-stimulated rat endplate chondrocytes (EPCs). They also found that NSC23766 could suppress the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting that the beneficial effects of Rac1 inhibition in EPCs were mediated through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Transglutaminase-2 Facilitates Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Establishment of the Metastatic Niche

Investigators utilized global gene expression analyses to characterize a metastatic model of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity as compared to their non-metastatic counterparts. Using this approach, they demonstrated that upregulation of the ECM crosslinking enzyme tissue transglutaminase-2 was part of a novel gene signature that only emerged in metastatic cells that have undergone induction and reversion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Carbon Nanotubes Promote Cell Migration in Hydrogels

Carbon nanotube-glycol chitosan hydrogels were synthesized and studied. Chemoattractant-induced cell migration was studied using a modified Boyden Chamber experiment. Migrated cells were counted using flow cytometry. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Effect of Matrigel as Scaffold Material for Neural Stem Cell Transplantation for Treating Spinal Cord Injury

The authors investigated the effect of Matrigel combined with neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro and in vivo. They compared the effect of different types of scaffold on the survival and differentiation of brain-derived NSCs in an in vitro culture. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Identification of Gene Modules Associated with Survival of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated with CHOP-Based Chemotherapy

Three modules, which were enriched in T-cell immune, cel-cell adhesion and ECM, respectively, were found to be related to longer overall survival. Higher expression of several hub genes within these three co-expression modules, for example, LCP2,CD3D, FYB, GZMK, FN1, SPARC, were found to be associated with favorable survival. [Pharmacogenomics J] Abstract

Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronan Induces an Inflammatory Response in Ovarian Stromal Cells and Impairs Gamete Development In Vitro

The authors hypothesized that low molecular weight (LMW) hyaluronan fragments contributed to female reproductive aging by stimulating an inflammatory response in the ovarian stroma and impairing gamete quality. To test this hypothesis, isolated mouse ovarian stromal cells or secondary stage ovarian follicles were treated with physiologically relevant concentrations of 200 kDa LMW hyaluronan. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Biological Dermal Templates with Native Collagen Scaffolds Provide Guiding Ridges for Invading Cells and May Promote Structured Dermal Wound Healing

Scientists investigated biological dermal templates and their potential to stimulate natural cell adherence, guidance, and morphology. The most pronounced effect was observed in biomaterials with the highest content of native collagen networks. Cell attachment and proliferation were significantly enhanced on native collagen scaffolds. [Int Wound J] Abstract

Deficiency of αII-Spectrin Affects Endothelial Cell-Matrix Contact and Migration Leading to Impairment of Angiogenesis In Vitro

The cell models used by investiators were primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells and a human dermal microvascular endothelial cell line. After siRNA- and shRNA-mediated knockdown of αII-spectrin, the authors assessed its expression and that of its partners and adhesion proteins using western blotting. The phenotypes of the control and spectrin-depleted cells were examined using immunofluorescence and video microscopy. [Cell Mol Biol Lett] Abstract

TGF-β Regulates Collagen Type I Expression in Myoblasts and Myotubes via Transient Ctgf and Fgf-2 Expression

The authors assessed effects of TGF-β on gene expression in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes after 1, 3, 9, 24 and 48 hour treatment. In myoblasts, various myogenic genes were repressed after 9, 24 and 48 hours, while in myotubes only a reduction in Myh3 expression was observed. [Cells] Abstract | Download Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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CD8⁺ T Cell States in Human Cancer: Insights from Single-Cell Analysis

Investigators cover current knowledge of the T cell states that are present in human tumors and the role that different T cell populations have been hypothesized to play within the tumor microenvironment, with a particular focus on CD8⁺ T cells. [Nat Rev Cancer] Abstract

Integrin-Associated Molecules and Signaling Cross Talking in Osteoclast Cytoskeleton Regulation

The authors discuss the role of integrin and associated molecules in osteoclastogenesis cytoskeletal, especially podosome, regulation and relevant signaling cascades cross talk. [J Cell Mol Med] Abstract

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$51 Million Federal Grant Awarded to ARMI Project

The US Department of Health and Human Services is awarding a five-year, $51 million grant to the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute in Manchester to help it develop its Priority Medicines on Demand project. [US Department of Health and Human Services (NH Business Review)] Press Release

Anseth Earns International Recognition with L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award

CU Boulder Professor Kristi Anseth has received one of the most prestigious recognitions in the life sciences: a L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science award. Anseth, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, is being recognized for her “outstanding contribution in converging engineering and biology to develop innovative biomaterials that help tissue regeneration and drug delivery.” [University of Colorado Boulder] Press Release

Popular Preprint Servers Face Closure Because of Money Troubles

The rise of preprint repositories has helped scientists worldwide to share results and get feedback quickly. But several platforms that serve researchers in emerging economies are struggling to raise money to stay afloat. Repositories like INA-Rxiv and IndiaRxiv boost regional science, but finding cash to run them is proving difficult. [Nature News] Editorial

FDA Now Allows Certain Lab Animals to Be Retired and Adopted

The US Food and Drug Administration will now permit certain animals used in experiments to retire and be adopted rather than face euthanasia, according to internal documents reviewed by The Hill. Although the policy changed in November, there have not been any public statements from the agency. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Diverse Organisms and Common Mechanisms in Cell-Cell Fusion
May 31-June 5, 2020
Easton, Massachusetts, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Researchers – Regulatory RNA and Cell-Cell Communication (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Research Associate – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms of TGF-Beta Activiation (Genentech, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase (Vascular Biology Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Biology (Medical University of Gdańsk)

Research Associate – Oncology (Zymeworks, Inc.)

Research Fellow – Cell Signaling (University of Sussex)

Research Scientist – Tumor Microenvironment (Systimmune, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Tumor Microenvironment (Personalis, Inc.)

Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (Xtant Medical, Inc.)

Master Thesis – Hydrogels and Microfluid Environments (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

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