Dermal Cell News Volume 2.34 | Sep 26 2016

TOP STORY

Loss of IFN-γ Pathway Genes in Tumor Cells as a Mechanism of Resistance to Anti-CTLA-4 Therapy

The authors demonstrated that patients identified as non-responders to anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) have tumors with genomic defects in IFN-γ pathway genes. Mice bearing melanoma tumors with knockdown of IFN-γ receptor 1 have impaired tumor rejection upon anti-CTLA-4 therapy. [Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Sterile Inflammation Enhances ECM Degradation in Integrin β1 KO Embryonic Skin

Epidermal knockout of integrin β1 results in complete disorganization of the basement membrane, resulting in neonatal lethality. Investigators report that this disorganization is exacerbated by an early embryonic inflammatory response involving the recruitment of tissue-resident and monocyte-derived macrophages to the dermal-epidermal junction, associated with increased matrix metalloproteinase activity. Remarkably, the skin barrier in the integrin β1 knockout animals is intact, suggesting that this inflammatory response is initiated in a sterile environment. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Successful Transplantation of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from MHC Homozygote iPSCs in MHC-Matched Models

Investigators established retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) homozygote donors. They observed no rejection signs in iPSC-derived RPE allografts of MHC-matched animal models without immunosuppression, whereas there were immune attacks around the graft and retinal tissue damage in MHC-mismatched models. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Endothelial Antioxidant-1: A Key Mediator of Copper-Dependent Wound Healing In Vivo

Using mouse cutaneous wound healing model, scientists showed that copper (Cu) content and nuclear antioxidant-1 (Atox1) are increased after wounding, and that wound healing with and without Cu treatment is impaired in Atox1^−/− mice. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Polyamines Release the Let-7b-Mediated Suppression of Initiation Codon Recognition during the Protein Synthesis of EXT2

Researchers found that polyamine levels are correlated with the expression level of heparan sulfate (HS) in human skin. In cultured cell lines, the EXT1 and EXT2 enzymes, initiating HS biosynthesis, were stimulated at the translational level by polyamines. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Fibromodulin Is Essential for Fetal-Type Scarless Cutaneous Wound Healing

Using loss- and gain-of-function rodent fetal wound models, investigators identified that fibromodulin (Fm) is essential for fetal-type scarless wound healing. In particular, they found that loss of Fm can eliminate the ability of early-gestation fetal rodents to heal without scar. [Am J Pathol] Abstract

Evaluation of Effects of Topical Estradiol Benzoate Application on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Ovariectomized Female Mice

Scientists compared the effects of topical estrogen application on wounds with standard treatment methods. They demonstrated that the application of estrogen to wounds reduced inflammatory responses and promoted angiogenesis and wound contraction more than the two other standard treatment methods. [PloS One] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

MicroRNA-181b Negatively Regulates the Proliferation of Human Epidermal Keratinocytes in Psoriasis through Targeting TLR4

Researchers aimed to explore the role of microRNA-181b and TLR in the regulation of cell proliferation of human epidermal keratinocytes in psoriasis. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Upregulation of miR-124 by Physcion 8-O-β-Glucopyranoside Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion of Malignant Melanoma Cells via Repressing RLIP76

Investigators showed that the expression of miR-124 was significantly lower in malignant melanoma tissues and cell lines and miR-124 functioned as a tumor suppressor in melanoma. [Biomed Pharmacother] Abstract

Engineered Microenvironments to Direct Epidermal Stem Cell Behavior at Single-Cell Resolution

The author discusses how the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of mammalian epidermis is controlled by a variety of interacting intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can be modeled in a reductionist fashion by capturing single epidermal stem cells on micropatterned substrates and exposing them to individual stimuli, alone or in combination, over defined time points. These studies have shown that different extrinsic stimuli trigger a common outcome—initiation of terminal differentiation—by activating different signaling pathways and eliciting different transcriptional responses. [Dev Cell] Abstract

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

iCAD to Present Positive Clinical Data Supporting Use of Xoft System for Early-Stage Breast Cancer and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

iCAD, Inc. will present updated clinical data supporting use of the Xoft^® Axxent^® Electronic Brachytherapy System^® for the treatment of non melanoma skin cancer and early-stage breast cancer. [Press release from iCAD Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), Boston] Press Release

AbbVie Showcases Commitment to Research and Innovation in Dermatology

AbbVie announced that new data on HUMIRA^® and investigational medicine risankizumab, an IL-23 inhibitor, will be presented. These presentations build upon AbbVie’s continued scientific leadership in serious dermatological conditions including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa. [Press release from AbbVie discussing research presented at the 25^th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV), Vienna] Press Release

Penn Receives $2.5 Million NIH Grant for New Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-Based Center

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Sarah E. Millar and George Cotsarelis at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), a $2.5 million, five-year grant to establish the Penn Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center. [University of Pennsylvania] Press Release

Kadmon Initiates Placebo-Controlled Phase II Clinical Trial Evaluating KD025 in Psoriasis

Kadmon Holdings, Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II clinical trial of KD025, the company’s oral inhibitor of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2, in moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. [Kadmon Holdings, Inc] Press Release

Array BioPharma and Pierre Fabre Announce COLUMBUS Phase III Study of Encorafenib plus Binimetinib for BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Met Primary Endpoint

Array BioPharma and Pierre Fabre jointly announced top-line results from Part 1 of the Phase III COLUMBUS (Combined LGX818 Used with MEK162 in BRAF Mutant Unresectable Skin Cancer) study evaluating LGX818 (encorafenib), a BRAF inhibitor, and MEK162 (binimetinib), a MEK inhibitor, in patients with BRAF-mutant advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma. The study met its primary endpoint, significantly improving progression free survival compared with vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, alone. [Array BioPharma] Press Release

Four Men and Two Women are Running for the Top Slot at the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, unveiled the names of the six candidates who are vying to succeed Margaret Chan as director-general. [Science Insider] Editorial

Worldwide Brain-Mapping Project Sparks Excitement — and Concern

In recent years, brain-mapping initiatives have been popping up around the world. They have different goals and areas of expertise, but now researchers will attempt to apply their collective knowledge in a global push to more fully understand the brain. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 7^th International Conference on Stem Cells and Cancer (ICSCC-2016): Proliferation, Differentiation and Apoptosis
October 21-23, 2016
Goa, India

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

NEW Pluripotent Stem Cell Faculty (Stanford University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Skin Immunology (University Hospital Lausanne)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Melanoma Biology (Icahn School of Medicine)

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)

Postdoctoral Associate – Cell Biology (Stony Brook University)

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

Have we missed an important article or publication in Dermal Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.