Dermal Cell News Volume 1.03 | Jun 1 2015

RIPK1 Regulates Survival of Human Melanoma Cells Upon Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Through Autophagy
The authors report that receptor [TNFRSF]-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) functions as an important prosurvival mechanism in melanoma cells undergoing pharmacological ER stress induced by tunicamycin or thapsigargin through activation of autophagy. [Autophagy] Abstract

Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Keratinocyte Progenitor Cell Expansion, Differentiation and Hair Follicle Regression by miR-22
Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches in vivo, researchers found that miR-22 overexpression leads to hair loss by promoting anagen-to-catagen transition of the hair follicles, and that deletion of miR-22 delays entry to catagen and accelerates the transition from telogen to anagen. [PLoS Genet] Full Article

Combined Inhibition of MEK and Plk1 has Synergistic Anti-Tumor Activity in NRAS Mutant Melanoma
Scientists revealed that mutant neuroblastoma-RAS (NRAS) induced Plk1 expression, and pharmacologic inhibition of Plk1 stabilized the size of NRAS mutant melanoma xenografts. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Artificial Extracellular Matrices Support Cell Growth and Matrix Synthesis of Human Dermal Fibroblasts in Macroporous 3D Scaffolds
Coatings with artificial extracellular matrix, consisting of the structural protein collagen I and the glycosaminoglycans hyaluronan (HA) or sulphated HA derivatives, were investigated for their applicability in a three-dimensional (3D) system. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Transcriptional Control of Late Differentiation in Human Keratinocytes by TAp63 and Notch
Upon induction of differentiation of primary human keratinocytes, investigators observed endogenous expression of TAp63β and γ isoforms, along with transcriptional activation of selected target genes. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

A Conditional Transgenic Mouse Line for Targeted Expression of the Stem Cell Marker LGR5
Investigators used transgenic mice to drive expression of LGR5 in the epidermis. Expression of human LGR5 was induced in the skin of double transgenic mice and inducing LGR5 expression during embryogenesis and early development resulted in macroscopically and microscopically detectable phenotypic changes, including kink tail, sparse fur coat and enlarged sebaceous glands. [Dev Biol] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS AND DISORDERS

HEDGEHOG/GLI-E2F1 Axis Modulates IASPP Expression and Function and Regulates Melanoma Cell Growth
The authors presented evidence that both GLI1 and GLI2, the final effectors of hedgehog signaling, regulate the transcription factor E2F1 in melanoma cells, by binding to a functional non-canonical GLI consensus sequence. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Twist1 Regulates Keratinocyte Proliferation and Skin Tumor Promotion
Researchers evaluated the effect of deleting Twist1 on keratinocyte proliferation and on skin tumor development using the two-stage chemical carcinogenesis model. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Skin Physiology in Microgravity: A 3-Month Stay Aboard ISS Induces Dermal Atrophy and Affects Cutaneous Muscle and Hair Follicles Cycling in Mice
Scientists suggested that a prolonged exposure to space conditions may induce skin atrophy, deregulate hair follicle cycle, and markedly affect the transcriptomic repertoire of the cutaneous striated muscle panniculus carnosus. [NPJ Microgravity] Full Article

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

From our sponsor: Learn about assays for cord blood. Download the free technical bulletin.

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Awards 41 New Grants
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas awarded 28 grants through its academic research program, 11 grants through its prevention program and two grants through its product development research program. [Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Niche Function (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Assistant Professor – Dermatology (University of California, Davis)

Dermatology Specialty Representative (Celgene Corporation)

Assistant Professor – Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (Maastricht University)

Professor – Dermatology (University of Wisconsin – Madison)

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

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

Postdoctoral Positions – Molecular Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.