Dermal Cell News Volume 2.19 | May 30 2016

TOP STORY

Images Show How Stem Cells Create Just Enough Tissue

Scientists have long wondered just how stem cells generate just the right amount of tissue to perform a biological function. Using live imaging of skin of living mice, scientists showed that this balance, called homeostasis, is achieved in unexpected ways. They captured images of how stem cells at the bottom layer of epidermis line up in columns and enlarge to replace cells lost at the top layer of skin. [Press release from Yale University discussing online prepublication in Science] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

In Vivo Epidermal Migration Requires Focal Adhesion Targeting of ACF7

Using skin epidermis as a model system, researchers demonstrated that the phosphorylation of ACF7 plays an indispensable role in focal adhesion dynamics and epidermal migration in vitro and in vivo. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Functional Development of Mechanosensitive Hair Cells in Stem Cell-Derived Organoids Parallels Native Vestibular Hair Cells

Scientists investigated the potential to generate mechanosensitive hair cells from mouse embryonic stem cells in a three-dimensional culture system. The system faithfully recapitulates mouse inner ear induction followed by self-guided development into organoids that morphologically resemble inner ear vestibular organs. [Nat Commun] Full Article

A Melanosomal Two-Pore Sodium Channel Regulates Pigmentation

Scientists identified two-pore channel 2 as the first reported melanosomal cation conductance by directly patch-clamping skin and eye melanosomes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Laminin α5 in the Keratinocyte Basement Membrane Is Required for Epidermal-Dermal Intercommunication

In vitro studies revealed laminin 511 to be strongly adhesive for primary keratinocytes and that loss of laminin α5 does not result in cell autonomous defects in proliferation. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Compounds Triggering ER Stress Exert Anti-Melanoma Effects and Overcome BRAF Inhibitor Resistance

Researchers discovered and developed a series of molecules (thiazole benzenesulfonamides). HA15, the lead compound of this series, displayed anti-cancerous activity on all melanoma cells tested, including cells isolated from patients and cells that developed resistance to BRAF inhibitors. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Identifying the Target Cells and Mechanisms of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Infection

Investigators combined cell culture and ex vivo approaches to identify human dermal fibroblasts as natural host cells that support productive Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) infection. Based on this, they established a cell culture model for MCPyV infection, which will facilitate investigation of the oncogenic mechanisms for this DNA virus. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Oncogenic BRAF-Mediated Melanoma Cell Invasion

The authors showed that BRAF^V600E melanoma cells have extensive invasion activity as assayed by the generation of F-actin and cortactin foci that mediate membrane protrusion, and degradation of the extracellular matrix [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

The LncRNA SLNCR1 Mediates Melanoma Invasion through a Conserved SRA1-Like Region

Scientists identified an abundantly expressed long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) associated with decreased melanoma patient survival. Increased expression of this lncRNA, SLNCR1, mediates melanoma invasion through a highly conserved sequence similar to that of the lncRNA SRA1. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

A Small Molecule Inhibitor of PDK1/PLCγ1 Interaction Blocks Breast and Melanoma Cancer Cell Invasion

Scientists demonstrated that 2-O-Bn-InsP₅ interacts specifically with the pleckstrin homology domain of phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) and impairs formation of a PDK1/phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) complex. 2-O-benzyl-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate was able to inhibit the epidermal growth factor-induced PLCγ1 phosphorylation and activity, ultimately resulting in impaired cancer cell migration and invasion. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Acidic Tumor Microenvironment in Human Melanoma

The authors summarize recent studies of the acidification of the tumor microenvironment, focusing on the specific effects of the acidic milieu on melanoma cells and to give a short overview of therapeutic approaches. [Pigment Cell Melanoma Res] Abstract

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

Pfizer To Acquire Anacor

Pfizer Inc. and Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Pfizer will acquire Anacor for $99.25 per Anacor share, in cash, for a total transaction value, net of cash, of approximately $5.2 billion. Anacor’s flagship asset, crisaborole, a differentiated non-steroidal topical PDE4 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties, is currently under review by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema. [Pfizer Inc.] Press Release

Rosetta Genomics Receives Approval from New York State for Four PCR-Based Assays

Rosetta Genomics Ltd. announced receipt of conditional approval from the New York State Department of Health for the company’s allele-specific PCR-based assays to test for BRAF, EGFR, KRAS and NRAS mutations in lung, colon and melanoma cancers. [Rosetta Genomics Ltd.] Press Release

FLIXABI^®, Biogen’s Infliximab Biosimilar Referencing Remicade^®, Approved in the European Union

The European Commission granted marketing authorization in the European Union for FLIXABI^®, an infliximab biosimilar referencing Remicade^®. FLIXABI is indicated for the treatment of adults with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. [Biogen] Press Release

Nano Dimension and Accellta Joined Forces to Successfully BioPrint Stem Cell-Derived Tissues

Nano Dimension Ltd. announced it has successfully lab-tested a proof of concept 3D Bioprinter for stem cells. The trial was conducted in collaboration with Accellta Ltd. that has developed proprietary technologies for the unique production of high quality media, stem cells, progenitors and differentiated cells for drug discovery, regenerative medicine and research. [Nano Dimension Ltd. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

NEW 24^th Biennial European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) Congress
July 9-16, 2016
Manchester, United Kingdom

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

NEW Scientific Communications and Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Skin Cancer and Aging Group (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

NEW Associate Professor/Professor – Dermatology (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

NEW Scientist – Target Validation (Innate Pharma)

Faculty Positions – Cancer Immunology (University of New Mexico)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of Southern California)

Medical Science Liaison Associate – Skin Diseases (Biofrontera Inc.)

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)

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