Extracellular Matrix News Volume 11.22 | Jun 11 2020

TOP STORY

Reduction of Liver Metastasis Stiffness Improves Response to Bevacizumab in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Using patient samples and atomic force microscopy, scientists found that tissue stiffness was higher in liver metastases than in primary colorectal tumors. Highly activated metastasis-associated fibroblasts increased tissue stiffness, which enhanced angiogenesis and anti-angiogenic therapy resistance. [Cancer Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Organoid Polymer Functionality and Mode of Klebsiella pneumoniae Membrane Antigen Presentation Regulates Ex Vivo Germinal Center Epigenetics in Young and Aged B Cells

Polyethylene glycol-based immune organoids were developed to elucidate the effects of polymer end-point chemistry, integrin ligands, and mode of K. pneumoniae antigen presentation on germinal center-like B cell phenotype and epigenetics, to better define the lymph node microenvironment factors regulating ex vivo germinal center dynamics. [Adv Funct Mater] Abstract

Reversible Suppression of T Cell Function in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Investigators found a significant association between T cell infiltration in the bone marrow microenvironment of newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and increased overall survival. Functional studies aimed at establishing the degree of T cell suppression in patients with AML revealed impaired T cell function in many patients. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Vascularized Silk Electrospun Fiber for Promoting Oral Mucosa Regeneration

To endow the fiber with the function of promoting angiogenesis and oral mucosa regeneration, surface-aminated liposomes encapsulating leptin, as well as silk fiber membranes that had been immersed overnight in polydopamine solution were synthesized. [NPG Asia Mater] Full Article

Integrin α5β1, as a Receptor of Fibronectin, Binds the FbaA Protein of Group A Streptococcus To Initiate Autophagy during Infection

The authors stimulated cells and infected mice with M and FbaA mutants of M1 Group A Streptococcus strain SF370 or with purified M and FbaA proteins, and found that only FbaA protein was involved in autophagy induction. [MBio] Abstract

Lack of Collagen XVIII Leads to Lipodystrophy and Perturbs Hepatic Glucose and Lipid Homeostasis

Researchers observed that, in the high caloric diet, the overall adiposity was decreased by 30%, serum triglyceride values were three-fold higher and the steatotic area in liver was two-fold larger in the collagen XVIII knockout mice compared with the controls. [J Physiol] Abstract

Aggrecanase-Selective Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) Protects Articular Cartilage in a Surgical Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis

The authors tested whether the selectivity of [-1A]TIMP3 was beneficial compared with that of the wild-type TIMP3 in preventing or delaying the onset of the degenerative effects in a mouse model of osteoarthritis. They generated transgenic mice that overexpressed TIMP3 or [-1A]TIMP3 driven by a chondrocyte-specific type II collagen promoter. [Sci Rep] Full Article

In Silico Analysis Reveals EP300 as a panCancer Inhibitor of Anti-Tumor Immune Response via Metabolic Modulation

Based on the TCGA database, scientists defined specific, altered genes associated with different tumor immune microenvironment types, which might represent new predictive markers or targets for immuno-therapeutic approaches. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor and Sunscreen Effective Compounds from Rumex crispus L.: Isolation, Identification, Bioactivity and Molecular Docking Study

Molecular docking studies on anthranoid, flavonoid, tannin and naphthalene skeletons with matrix metalloproteinase enzymes were applied for the first time. Various chromatographic methods were used for isolation studies. [Phytochem Anal] Abstract

Evaluation of Ocular Surface Disease in Elderly Patients with Glaucoma: Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Tears

Measurement of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level was performed using the InflammaDry test. The ocular surface disease parameters and MMP-9 expression levels were compared between the primary open-angle glaucoma group and the control group. [Eye] Abstract

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Materials Design for Bone-Tissue Engineering

The authors provide an overview of materials-design considerations for bone-tissue-engineering applications in both disease modeling and treatment of injuries and disease in humans. [Nat Rev Mater] Abstract

The Tumor Microenvironment in Cholangiocarcinoma Progression

Investigators summarize current understandings of the tumor microenvironment and intercellular communications in cholangiocarcinoma and their role in tumor progression. [Hepatology] Abstract

Targeting Focal Adhesion Kinase in Cancer Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment

Scientists discuss the role of nuclear focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as a driver for tumor cell survival as well as potential therapeutic strategies to target FAK in both tumors and the tumor microenvironment. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

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

New Wound-Healing Research Project Wins NASA Tick of Approval

A group of Australian scientists have caught the attention of NASA with a novel technology development that could potentially heal wounds in days rather than weeks without using stitches. [Southern Cross University] Press Release

NIH Strengthens Policies to Alert Agency to Sexual Harassment by Grantees

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is tightening grant rules that until now have sometimes left the agency in the dark about sexual harassment cases involving researchers it supports. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

MIT, Guided by Open Access Principles, Ends Elsevier Negotiations

Institute ends negotiations for a new journals contract in the absence of a proposal aligning with the MIT Framework for Publisher Contracts. [MIT News] Editorial

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NEW Department Chair – Bioengineering (The University of Washington)

Senior Scientist – Developmental and Regenerative Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

NEW Senior Researcher – Regenerative Biology (Genetech, Inc.)

Researcher – Human Tissues (Fondazione Banca dei Tessuti di Treviso Onlus)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Canncer Immunology (Emory University)

Associate Professor – Cancer Biology (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Vice President – Oncology and Cell Therapy (GlaxoSmithKline)

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

Researcher – Biomaterials Scientist (Aspect Biosystems)

Research Scientist – Tumor Microenvironment (Systimmune, Inc.)

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