Extracellular Matrix News Volume 11.09 | Mar 12 2020

TOP STORY

ZBP1 (DAI/DLM-1) Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation while Inhibiting Adipogenic Differentiation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells through a Positive Feedback Loop of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Knockdown of ZBP1 inhibited alkaline phosphataseactivity, ECM mineralization, and osteogenesis-related gene expression in vitro and reduced ectopic bone formation in vivo. Knockdown of ZBP1 also promoted adipogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. [Bone Res] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Biochemical and Structural Cues of 3D-Printed Matrix Synergistically Direct MSC Differentiation for Functional Sweat Gland Regeneration

Researchers bioprinted a sweat gland (SG)-like matrix to direct the conversion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into functional SGs and facilitated SG recovery in mice. By ECM differential protein expression analysis, they identified that CTHRC1 was a critical biochemical regulator for SG specification. [Sci Adv] Full Article

Matrix Decoded – a Pancreatic Extracellular Matrix with Organ Specific Cues Guiding Human iPSC Differentiation

Investigators showed that organ specific cues of biological scaffolds affected cellular behavior. They report on the generation of a well-preserved pancreatic bioscaffold and introduced a Scoring system allowing standardized inter-study quality assessment. [Biomaterials] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Production by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Hydrogels Facilitates Cell Spreading and Is Inhibited by FGF‐2

Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels with fully defined biomaterial properties were used to investigate the emerging role of cell-derived ECM on culture outcomes. Scientists showed human mesenchymal stromal cells secreted ECM proteins into the pericellular space early after encapsulation and that, even in the absence of material-presented cell adhesion motifs, cell-derived fibronectin enabled cell spreading. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Pressurized Carbon Dioxide as a Potential Tool for Decellularization of Pulmonary Arteries for Transplant Purposes

Treatment of tissue with pressurized CO₂-limonene followed by enzyme treatment resulted in efficient DNA removal. The structure of elastic fibers was preserved after pressurized treatment, regardless solvent composition. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Altered Adhesion and Migration of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells under Febrile Temperature Stress Involves NF-κβ Pathway

40°C-exposure altered cellular morphology with significant cell flattening, delayed cell-matrix de-adhesion response and slower migration of mesenchymal stem cells, accompanied by suppressed directionality ratio and cell trajectory. Corresponding to the observed changes, mRNA expression of ECM genes like COLs and VTN were upregulated, while matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1 showed a significant downregulation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Compendium of Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in the Left Ventricle of Mice Following Myocardial Infarction

Researchers measured the remaining matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) across the myocardial infarction (MI) time continuum to provide the full catalog of MMP expression in the left ventricle after MI in mice. They found that MMP-10, -11, -16, -24, -25, and -27 increased after MI, whereas MMP-15, -17, -19, -21, -23b, and -26 did not change with MI. [Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol] Abstract

Development of 3D Neuromuscular Bioactuators

The authors investigated possible roles of long-range interactions in neuronal outgrowth patterns and observed preferential outgrowth toward muscles compared to the acellular matrix or fibroblasts, indicating muscle-specific chemotactic cues acting on motor neurons. [APL Bioeng] Full Article | Press Release

3D Microgroove Electrical Impedance Sensing to Examine 3D Cell Cultures for Antineoplastic Drug Assessment

3D cancer cells were trapped in microgrooves with gold electrodes on opposite walls for in situ impedance measurement. The change in the number of live cells caused inversely proportional changes to the impedance magnitude of the entire cell/Matrigel construct and reflected the proliferation and apoptosis of the 3D cells. [Microsyst Nanoeng] Full Article

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The Cartilage Matrisome in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

The authors review the development of the spine and spinal cartilages, the composition of the cartilage ECM, the so-called “matrisome” and its functions, and the players involved in the genetic architecture of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). They propose a molecular model by which the cartilage matrisome of the intervertebral disc contributes to AIS susceptibility. [Bone Res] Full Article

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

First Patient Dosed in IPH5201 Phase I Clinical Trial in Advanced Solid Tumors

Innate Pharma SA announced that the first patient was dosed in a Phase I clinical trial evaluating IPH5201, an anti-CD39 blocking monoclonal antibody, in adult patients with advanced solid tumors. The purpose of the study, which is sponsored by AstraZeneca, is to evaluate IPH5201 as monotherapy and in combination with durvalumab with or without oleclumab. [Innate Pharma SA] Press Release

Asana BioSciences Announces Topical Sodium Channel Blocker ASN008 Achieves Positive Results for the Treatment of Pruritus in Atopic Dermatitis

Asana BioSciences announced positive topline results from a Phase Ib study evaluating the treatment of pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis for its topical sodium channel blocker, ASN008. The Phase Ib double-blind, vehicle-controlled, dose escalation study randomized 25 adult patients with atopic dermatitis and a pruritus score of ≥7 using the Numerical Rating Scale at baseline. [Asana BioSciences] Press Release

Universities Are Forging Ties with the FBI as US Cracks Down on Foreign Influence

US universities are forging closer ties with FBI agents, encouraging scientists to disclose foreign sources of research funding, and tightening restrictions on researchers’ travel. [Nature News] Editorial

Hundreds of Scientists Have Peer-Reviewed for Predatory Journals

Hundreds of scientists who post their peer-review activity on the website Publons say they’ve reviewed papers for journals termed ‘predatory’, an analysis has found. The site hosts at least 6,000 records of reviews for more than 1,000 predatory journals. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 53^rd Annual Meeting Society for Leukocyte Biology
September 30-October 3, 2020
Portland, Oregon, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – ECM Remodeling in Breast Cancer (Institute of Cancer Research)

Department Head – Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (University of Illinois College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Myometrial ECM (University of Vermont)

Investigator – Single Cell Genomics (GlaxoSmithKline USA)

Researcher – Biomaterials Scientist (Aspect Biosystems)

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

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase (Vascular Biology Center)

Research Associate – Oncology (Zymeworks, Inc.)

Research Scientist – Tumor Microenvironment (Systimmune, Inc.)

Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (Xtant Medical, Inc.)

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

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