Dermal Cell News Volume 2.33 | Sep 19 2016

TOP STORY

Regional Glutamine Deficiency in Tumors Promotes Dedifferentiation through Inhibition of Histone Demethylation

Using patient-derived ^V600EBRAF melanoma cells, investigators found that low-glutamine-induced histone hypermethylation resulted in cancer cell dedifferentiation and resistance to BRAF inhibitor treatment, which was largely mediated by methylation on H3K27, as knockdown of the H3K27-specific demethylase KDM6B and the methyltransferase EZH2 respectively reproduced and attenuated the low-glutamine effects in vitro and in vivo. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

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DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

E4F1-Mediated Control of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Activity Is Essential for Skin Homeostasis

The multifunctional protein E4 transcription factor 1 (E4F1) is an essential regulator of epidermal stem cell maintenance. Scientists found that E4F1 transcriptionally regulates a metabolic program involved in pyruvate metabolism that is required to maintain skin homeostasis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

The Retinoid Agonist Tazarotene Promotes Angiogenesis and Wound Healing

Investigators found in an ear punch wound healing model, Tazarotene promoted tissue repair characterized by rapid ear punch closure with normal-appearing skin containing new hair follicles, and maturing collagen fibers. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Exosomes Derived from Human Adipose Mensenchymal Stem Cells Accelerates Cutaneous Wound Healing via Optimizing the Characteristics of Fibroblasts

Scientists investigated the roles of adipose mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (ASCs-Exos) in cutaneous wound healing. They found that ASCs-Exos could be taken up and internalized by fibroblasts to stimulate cell migration, proliferation and collagen synthesis in a dose-dependent manner, with increased genes expression of N-cadherin, cyclin-1, PCNA and collagen I, III. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Novel Skin Splint for Accurately Mapping Dermal Remodeling and Epithelialization During Wound Healing

Investigators have developed a novel mouse excisional wound model to assess the degree of epithelial extension and regeneration, using a plastic ring-shaped splint fixed beneath the surrounding epidermal tissue. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Repeated Treatments with Ingenol Mebutate Prevents Progression of UV-Induced Photodamage in Hairless Mice

Ingenol mebutate (IngMeb) is an effective treatment for actinic keratosis. Scientists hypothesized that repeated treatments with IngMeb may prevent progression of UV-induced photodamage, and that concurrent application of a corticosteroid may reduce IngMeb-induced local skin responses. [PLoS One] Full Article

Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals that Differentiation and Spatial Signatures Shape Epidermal and Hair Follicle Heterogeneity

The authors used single-cell RNA-sequencing to reveal how cellular heterogeneity of murine telogen epidermis is tuned at the transcriptional level. Unbiased clustering of 1,422 single-cell transcriptomes revealed 25 distinct populations of interfollicular and follicular epidermal cells. [Cell Syst] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Improved Topical Delivery of Tacrolimus: A Novel Composite Hydrogel Formulation for the Treatment of Psoriasis

Researchers have developed a composite hydrogel for improved topical delivery of the poorly soluble drug Tacrolimus to psoriasis lesions. [J Control Release] Abstract

Combining Type I Interferons and 5-Aza-2′-Deoxycitidine to Improve Anti-Tumor Response against Melanoma

Researchers showed that combined administration of type I IFN and 5-Aza-2’-Deoxycitidine significantly inhibits the growth of murine and human melanoma cells, both in vitro and in vivo. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

HSPB1 Deficiency Sensitizes Melanoma Cells to Hyperthermia Induced Cell Death

The authors found HSPB1 was hyperthermically inducible or endogenously highly expressed in both murine and human melanoma cell lines. They used a siRNA strategy to reduce HSPB1 levels and showed increased intolerance to hyperthermia via reduced cell viability and/or proliferation of cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Liposomal C6 Ceramide Activates Protein Phosphatase 1 to Inhibit Melanoma Cells

The potential anti-melanoma activity by a liposomal C6 ceramide was tested in vitro. Researchers showed that the liposomal C6 (ceramide) was cytotoxic and anti-proliferative against a panel of human melanoma cell lines. [PLoS One] Full Article

Life Is 3D: Boosting Spheroid Function for Tissue Engineering

Spheroid’s excellent regenerative properties and rapid progress in their high-throughput production, they are increasingly suggested as building blocks for tissue engineering. The authors focus on innovative biotechnological approaches that increase the quality of spheroids for this specific type of application. [Trends Biotechnol] Abstract

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

New Data at EADO Show Positive Results for Actikerall^® Application in the Field-Directed Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

Almirall, S.A. has announced positive results from a Phase III randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Actikerall^® when applied once daily as field-directed treatment to actinic keratosis lesions. [Press release from Almirall, S.A. discussing research presented at 16^th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin & 12^th Congress of the European Association of Dermato Oncology (EADO), Vienna] Press Release

Allergan to Acquire Vitae Pharmaceuticals Adding Innovative Development Programs for Dermatologic Conditions

Allergan plc and Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Allergan will acquire Vitae for a total transaction value of approximately $639 million. The acquisition will strengthen Allergan’s dermatology product pipeline, with the addition of VTP-43742, a Phase II first-in-class, orally active RORγt inhibitor for the potential treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders. [Allergan plc.] Press Release

Can-Fite Receives Notice of Allowance for Psoriasis Patent in Europe Ahead of Phase III Trial

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office indicating the patent titled, “Pharmaceutical Composition Comprising A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonist for Treatment of Psoriasis” will be granted. This key patent addresses Can-Fite’s lead drug candidate Piclidenoson, an Adenosine Receptor Agonist, in the treatment of psoriasis. [Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.] Press Release

NIH Aims to Beef Up Clinical Trial Design as Part of New Data Sharing Rules

Drug companies and academic researchers will have to step up their public reporting of clinical trial results under new federal policies released today. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also laid out a new plan for submitting clinical trial proposals that aims to beef up the rigor of the studies. [Science Insider] Editorial

Europe Proposes Copyright Reform to Help Scientists Mine Research Papers

The European Commission has announced long-awaited plans to make it easier for researchers to harvest facts and data from research papers — by freeing the computer-aided activity from the shackles of copyright law. [Nature News] Editorial

Reproducibility: Respect Your Cells!

Numerous variables can torpedo attempts to replicate cell experiments, from the batch of serum to the shape of growth plates. But there are ways to ensure reliability. [Nature News] Editorial

Outsourcing, Coming Soon to a Lab Near You

A move toward outsourcing could offer entrepreneurial opportunities for scientists who have expertise that can be applied to doing experimental work for clients. Traditionally, companies started by scientists have sold products coming out of academic research. Scientific outsourcing firms, on the other hand, would sell the research process itself. [Science Careers] Editorial

NEW Symposium on Regenerative Rehabilitation
October 14-16, 2016
Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Skin Immunology (University Hospital Lausanne)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Inflammatory Signaling in Psoriasis (The Francis Crick Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Melanoma Biology (Icahn School of Medicine)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Melanoma Biology (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

Associate Professor/Full Professor – Skin Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Cancer Biology (The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cutaneous Biology (University of Wisconsin in Madison)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Cancer Biology (Michigan State University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Cell Biology (Stony Brook University)

PhD Position – Regulation of Keratinocyte Cell Death (University of Birmingham)

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