Dermal Cell News Volume 1.01 | May 11 2015

Confluence Induced Squamous Differentiation is not Accompanied by Changes in H3K27me3 Repressive Epigenetic Mark
Scientists examined the binding of trimethylated H3K27 to the promoters of proliferation or differentiation genes in keratinocytes undergoing squamous differentiation in vitro and in vivo. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Translational Repression Protects Human Keratinocytes from UVB-Induced Apoptosis through a Discordant eIF2 Kinase Stress Response
Researchers determined that ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is a potent inducer of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2~P) in keratinocytes, leading to decreased levels of translation initiation. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Arachidonic Acid Promotes Skin Wound Healing through Induction of Human MSC Migration by MT3-MMP-Mediated Fibronectin Degradation
The authors investigated the skin wound-healing effect of arachidonic acid (AA)-stimulated human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) in vivo and its molecular mechanism in vitro. They found that transplantation of hUCB-MSCs pre-treated with AA enhanced wound filling, re-epithelization, and angiogenesis in a mouse skin excisional wound model. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

A Two-Stepped Culture Method for Efficient Production of Trichogenic Keratinocytes
Researchers found that the short-term co-culture of hair follicle outer root sheath keratinocytes with dermal papilla cells both enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling and upregulated the expression of hair follicle specific genes, including K6, K16, K17 and K75, in keratinocytes. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

Paracrine Action of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Delivered by Microspheres Contributes to Cutaneous Wound Healing and Prevents Scar Formation in Mice
Microspheres successfully delivered mesenchymal stromal cells into wound margins and significantly accelerated wound healing and concomitantly reduced the fibrotic activities of cells within the wounds and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix as well as the transforming growth factor-β1/transforming growth factor-β3 ratio. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS AND DISORDERS

Transglutaminase Is Required for Epidermal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stem Cell Survival
Transglutaminase type II (TG2) was determined to be highly elevated in epidermal cancer stem cells (ECS cells) and TG2 knockdown or suppression of TG2 function with inhibitors reduced ECS cell survival, spheroid formation, matrigel invasion and migration. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

RBM28, a Protein Deficient in ANE Syndrome, Regulates Hair Follicle Growth Via miR-203 and p63
When RBM28 was down-regulated in human hair follicle (HF) organ cultures, investigators observed catagen induction and HF growth arrest, indicating that RBM28 is necessary for normal hair growth. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

Basal Level of Autophagy Is Increased in Aging Human Skin Fibroblasts In Vitro, but not in Old Skin
The authors compared the basal levels of intracellular autophagy in serially passaged human facial skin fibroblasts undergoing aging and replicative senescence in vitro, and ex vivo in the skin biopsies from the photo-protected and photo-exposed area of the arms of 20 healthy persons of young and old ages. [PLoS One] Full Article

A Role of Myocardin Related Transcription Factor-A (MRTF-A) in Scleroderma Related Fibrosis
Researchers demonstrated that nuclear translocation of MRTF-A in scleroderma tissues occurs in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, infiltrating inflammatory cells, and dermal fibroblasts, consistent with enhanced signaling in multiple cell lineages exposed to the stiff extracellular matrix. [PLoS One] Abstract

Association of SIRT1 and Tumor Suppressor Gene TAp63 Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Scientists investigated whether SIRT1 promotes differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells by studying the correlations between the expression of SIRT1 and several genes implicated in stemness or differentiation in HNSCC-derived cell lines. [Tumour Biol] Abstract

Alternative Treatments For Melanoma: Targeting BCL-2 Family Members to De-Bulk and Kill Cancer Stem Cells
The authors discuss the recent advancements in targeting BCL-2 family members for cancer treatments, and how this approach can be applied as an alternative option to combat melanoma, and overcome melanoma relapse or resistance in current treatment regimens. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Regenerative Skin Wound Healing in Mammals: State-of-the-Art on Growth Factor and Stem Cell Based Treatments
The authors reviewed the emerging field of regenerative skin wound healing in mammals with particular emphasis on growth factor- and stem cell-based therapies. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Abstract

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

Trial of New Skin Cancer Drug Begins as First Patient Receives Treatment
A patient has become the first to receive a new ‘resistance-busting’ experimental skin cancer drug with the launch of a phase I clinical trial. The patient has received a new panRAF inhibitor – a new type of drug under development to address the problem of drug resistance in advanced skin cancer and a number of other cancer types. [University of Manchester] Press Release

Plexxikon and Merck to Collaborate on Combination Study Evaluating Investigational Immuno-Oncology Regimen
Plexxikon Inc. and Merck announced a collaborative clinical trial that will evaluate the combination of PLX3397, Plexxikon’s investigational CSF-1R inhibitor, and KEYTRUDA^® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, which provides the potential for a double blockade of cancer-induced immune suppression. [Plexxikon Inc.] Press Release

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

Professor – Dermatology (University of Wisconsin – Madison)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Epidermal Growth, Inflammation and Carcinogenesis (Duke University School of Medicine)

Chair of the Department of Dermatology (University of California, Davis)

Faculty Positions – Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine (University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Dermatology Specialty Representative (Celgene Corporation)

Postdoctoral Positions – Molecular Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

PhD Position – Decoding Gene Regulation in Cancer (University of Leuven)

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