Dermal Cell News Volume 2.17 | May 9 2016

Mechanical Stretching Promotes Skin Tissue Regeneration via Enhancing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Homing and Transdifferentiation
A systematic approach was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between mechanically stretched human mesenchymal stem cells and controls. The biological significance of these changes was analyzed through bioinformatic methods. They further investigated genes and pathways of interest to disclose their potential role in mechanical stretching-induced skin regeneration. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Wound Dressing Based on Chitosan/Hyaluronan/Nonwoven Fabrics: Preparation, Characterization and Medical Applications
Thin layers of chitosan (positively charged)/sodium hyaluronate (negatively charged)/nonwoven fabrics were constructed by polyelectrolyte multilayer pad-dry-cure technique. The antibacterial activity and the cytotoxicity of the dressing sheets were evaluated against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus, mouse fibroblast and keratinocytes cell lines, respectively. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract

Filifactor alocis Collagenase Can Modulate Apoptosis of Normal Oral Keratinocytes
Researchers demonstrated that the recombinant F. alocis peptidase U32 protein (PrtFAC) can interact with, and degrade type I collagen, heat denatured collagen and gelatin in a calcium dependent manner. PrtFAC decreased viability and induced apoptosis of normal oral keratinocytes in a time and dose dependent manner. [Mol Oral Microbiol] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Site-Specific Genome Editing for Correction of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Dominant Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Investigators performed genome editing with TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 targeting the mutation, c.8068_8084delinsGA. They then cotransfected Cas9 and guide RNA expression vectors expressed with GFP and DsRed, respectively, into induced pluripotent stem cells generated from dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa fibroblasts. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Functional Evaluation of Targeted Exon Deletion Reveals Prospect for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Therapy
The authors deleted two conceptually important exons located at both ends of COL7A1, exon 13, containing recurrent mutations, and exon 105, predicted to impact folding. The resulting recombinantly expressed proteins showed conserved functionality in biochemical and in vitro assays. Injected into dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa mice, the proteins promoted skin stability. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Pronounced Peptide Selectivity for Melanoma through Tryptophan End-Tagging
Scientists demonstrated that W-tagging represents a powerful way to increase selective peptide internalization in melanoma cells, resulting in toxicity against these, but not against the non-malignant cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Small Molecules Antagonise the MIA-Fibronectin Interaction in Malignant Melanoma
Scientists describe for the first time the discovery of small molecules that are able to disrupt the melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA)-fibronectin complex by selectively binding to a new druggable pocket, which they could identify on MIA by structural analysis and fragment-based screening. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Inhibition of Cell Proliferation in an NRAS Mutant Melanoma Cell Line by Combining Sorafenib and α-Mangostin
Investigators found that α-mangostin significantly enhances sorafenib pharmacological efficacy against an NRAS mutant melanoma cell line. The synergistic effects of α-mangostin and sorafenib were associated with enhanced inhibition of activated AKT and ERK, induced ER stress, and reduced autophagy, eventually leading to apoptosis. [PLoS One] Full Article

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TGen SU2C Melanoma Dream Team Member Receives $200,000 Sharp Award
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) has selected Dr. Muhammed Murtaza of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), paired with Dr. Antoni Ribas of UCLA, as recipients of a $200,000 SU2C Phillip A. Sharp Innovation in Collaboration Award, named for the Nobel Laureate and Chair of SU2C’s Scientific Advisory Committee. [Translational Genomics Research Institute] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Biology (California Institute for Biomedical Research)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunology, Cancer, and Stem Cells (University of Connecticut)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology/Immunology (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Molecular Oncology Group (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Faculty Position – Tumor Immunology (John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering (Northeastern University)

Skincare Applied Research Manager (L’Oreal)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer and Inflammatory Diseases of the Skin (Weill Cornell Medical College)

Research Technician – Tumor Initiation and Metastasis (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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