Extracellular Matrix News Volume 11.17 | May 7 2020

TOP STORY

Defining the Design Principles of Skin Epidermis Postnatal Growth

Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that epidermal developmental progenitors formed a more uniform population compared with adult stem and progenitor cells. Researchers found that the spatial pattern of cell division orientation was dictated locally by the underlying collagen fiber orientation. [Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite-Mediated Angiogenesis for Soft Tissue Reconstruction

By incorporating interfacial bonding between electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) fibers and a hyaluronic acid hydrogel network, the authors generated a composite that mimicked the microarchitecture and mechanical properties of soft tissue ECM. [Sci Transl Med] Full Article | Press Release

Particle-Based Artificial Three-Dimensional Stem Cell Spheroids for Revascularization of Ischemic Diseases

Researchers used a facile method to induce the aggregation of stem cells into 3D spheroids (SSPs), which benefited from hypoxia microenvironment-driven and enhanced secretion of proangiogenic bioactive factors. They artificially reconstructed 3D spheroids by integration of SSP-secreted factors into micro-/nanoparticles with cell membrane-derived surface coatings. [Sci Adv] Full Article

Intracellular Role for the Matrix-Modifying Enzyme Lox in Regulating Transcription Factor Subcellular Localization and Activity in Muscle Regeneration

Investigators demonstrated that lysyl oxidase (Lox), known for its ECM-modifying activities, primarily collagen crosslinking, also directly regulated transcription factor localization. Using genetic and pharmacological strategies, they highlighted an intracellular role for Lox in myogenic progenitors essential for muscle regeneration. [Dev Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Nanocarrier-Mediated Immunogenic Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Scientists developed a liposome formulation to deliver a potential immunogenic cell death inducing agent, 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, in a tumor targeted manner to reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment and facilitate the checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. [J Control Release] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

HSP47 Promotes Metastasis of Breast Cancer by Interacting with Myosin IIA via the Unfolded Protein Response Transducer IRE1α

The authors showed that a small population of high-invasive breast cancer (BC) cells expressed HSP47 and that HSP47-positive high-invasive BC cells had a high metastatic potential that was completely abolished by disruption of HSP47. [Oncogene] Abstract

The Circular RNA FAM169A Functions as a Competitive Endogenous RNA and Regulates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Targeting miR-583 and BTRC

Investigators examined the role of circular RNA FAM169A in degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues, and validated its function in cultured human NP cells. Overexpression of circ-FAM169A in NP cells markedly enhanced ECM catabolism and suppressed ECM anabolism in NP cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

IL-33-Induced Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Degrade Fibronectin in a Murine Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

The authors discovered that the ECM component fibronectin was reduced in the pulmonary tissues of model mice with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) induced by lipopolysaccharide and hyper-oxygen. Meanwhile, interleukin-33 and other inflammatory cytokines were elevated in BPD lung tissues. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article

Functional Biology of the Steel Syndrome Founder Allele and Evidence for Clan Genomics Derivation of COL27A1 Pathogenic Alleles Worldwide

Characterization of an in vivo murine model showed abnormal collagen deposition in the ECM and disorganization of the proliferative zone of the growth plate. [Eur J Hum Genet] Full Article

Structural and Mechanical Remodeling of the Cytoskeleton Maintains Tensional Homeostasis in 3D Microtissues under Acute Dynamic Stretch

Scientists investigated whether cells cultured in a 3D matrix shared a softening behavior and to link it to cytoskeletal remodeling. They developed a high-throughput approach to measure the dynamic mechanical properties of cells and allowed for sub-cellular imaging within physiologically relevant 3D microtissues. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Regeneration of Segmental Defects in Metatarsus of Sheep with Vascularized and Customized 3D-Printed Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds

Researchers investigated the feasibility of regenerating large bone defects in sheep using 3D-printed customized calcium phosphate scaffolds with or without surgical vascularization. Pre-operative computed tomography scans were performed to visualize the metatarsus and vasculature and to fabricate customized scaffolds and surgical guides by 3D printing. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Sindbis Virus with Anti-OX40 Overcomes the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment of Low Immunogenic Tumors by Metabolically Rewiring Anti-Tumor Immune Responses

The combination of Sindbis Virus vector expressing IL-12 with anti-OX40 markedly changed the transcriptome signature and metabolic program of T cells, driving the development of highly activated terminally differentiated effector T cells. These metabolically reprogrammed T cells demonstrated enhanced tumor infiltration capacity as well as anti-tumor activity capable of overcoming the repressive tumor microenvironment. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Engineering Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrices: Decellularization, Characterization, and Biological Function

There is a growing interest in reconstructing stem cell microenvironment through decellularization and obtaining decellularized matrices that exhibit unique biological properties. The authors summarize recent advances in the use and understanding of stem cell-derived ECMs. [Tissue Eng Part B Rev] Abstract

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

Santhera Signs Agreements in Gene Therapy Research for Congenital Muscular Dystrophy with Rutgers University

Santhera Pharmaceuticals announced the signing of two agreements with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey as part of its program to advance gene therapy research for the treatment of LAMA2-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy. Under the agreements, Santhera gains rights to intellectual property developed at Rutgers on certain gene constructs that will be further studied under a collaboration agreement. [Santhera Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

‘It Will Not Be Easy.’ as Labs Begin to Reopen, Enormous Challenges Remain

One of the biggest challenges labs face is how to keep their members physically distanced to limit any potential spread of SARS-CoV-2. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Coronavirus: Share Lessons on Lifting Lockdowns

Countries are starting to lift restrictions on movement, but there is little consensus on how this should be done. Sharing best practice is the way forward. [Nature News] Editorial

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NEW Quality Control – Regenerative Medicine (Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine)

Assistant Professor – Mammalian Synthetic Biology (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Posdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Regenerative Biomedicine (TU Dresden)

PhD Studentship – 3D Bioprinting of Tissues (Uppsala University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Regenerative Medicine (ShanghaiTech University)

Principle Investigator – Regenerative Medicine (Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health)

Faculty Member – Lung ECM Biology (NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

Researcher – Biomaterials Scientist (Aspect Biosystems)

Research Associate – Oncology (Zymeworks, Inc.)

Research Scientist – Tumor Microenvironment (Systimmune, Inc.)

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