Dermal Cell News Volume 3.14 | Apr 24 2017

TOP STORY

BRG1 Interacts with SOX10 to Establish the Melanocyte Lineage and to Promote Differentiation

SOX10 was found to physically interact with BRG1 in differentiating melanocytes and binding of SOX10 to the Tyrp1 distal enhancer temporally coincided with recruitment of BRG1. Scientists showed that SOX10 cooperates with MITF to facilitate BRG1 binding to distal enhancers of melanocyte-specific genes. [Nucleic Acids Res] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

The Small G Protein Arf6 Expressed in Keratinocytes by HGF Stimulation Is a Regulator for Skin Wound Healing

Researchers demonstrated that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling-induced expression of the small G protein Arf6 mRNA in keratinocytes is essential for the skin wound healing. Arf6 mRNA expression was dramatically induced in keratinocytes at the wounded skin, which was specifically suppressed by the c-Met inhibitor. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Actomyosin Contractility Provokes Contact Inhibition in E-Cadherin-Ligated Keratinocytes

Investigators report that among epithelial cells, keratinocytes, which compose the stratified epithelium in the skin, possess a unique, actomyosin-dependent mechanism for contact inhibition. They observed that under actomyosin-inhibited conditions, cell-cell contact itself through E-cadherin promotes proliferation of keratinocytes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Release of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Is Mediated via MAP-Kinases rather than Inflammasome Signaling Pathway in Keratinocytes

Scientists investigated the role of lipopolysaccharides and monosodium urate crystals in the activation of the toll like receptor (TLR) and nod like receptors pathways in human keratinocytes. Analysis of the inflammasome compounds revealed that NLRP3 and TLR4, both of which are components of inflammasome complexes involved in the activation of IL-1β, were not expressed in keratinocytes. [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

PD-L1 Expression in Melanoma: A Quantitative Immunohistochemical Antibody Comparison

PD-L1 immunohistochemistry was performed on thirty-four formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archival melanoma samples using the 5H1, SP142, 28-8, 22C3 and SP263 clones. The percentage of total cells (including melanocytes and immune cells) demonstrating cell surface PD-L1 staining, as well as intensity measurements/H-scores, were assessed for each melanoma specimen using a computer-assisted platform. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Bis-Anthracycline WP760 Abrogates Melanoma Cell Growth by Transcription Inhibition, p53 Activation and IGF1R Downregulation

The authors studied the effect of WP760 on several human melanoma cell lines derived from tumors in various development stages and having different genetic backgrounds. WP760 inhibited cell proliferation, impaired clonogenic cell survival, and inhibited spheroid growth. [Invest New Drugs] Full Article

BFGF Neutralization Stimulates VEGF Secretion in Melanoma B16 Cells

The authors found that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) blockade resulting in increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and activated PI3K/AKT and P44/42 MAPK pathways. Moreover, combined inhibition of bFGF and VEGF led to enhanced activity against B16 tumors in vitro and in vivo. [Cytokine] Abstract

Combined Activity of Temozolomide and the mTOR Inhibitor Temsirolimus in Metastatic Melanoma Involves DKK1

The combination of the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide significantly increased growth inhibition and apoptosis in melanoma cells compared to temsirolimus or temozolomide alone. The combination of temozolomide with temsirolimus was not only effective in established but also in newly isolated and vemurafenib-resistant metastatic melanoma cell lines. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

Emergence of CTNNB1 Mutation at Acquired Resistance to KIT Inhibitor in Metastatic Melanoma

Investigators analyzed biopsy samples from paired baseline and post-treatment tumor lesions in one patient with KIT-mutated melanoma who had had an initial objective tumor regression in response to imatinib treatment followed by disease progression eight months later. [Clin Transl Oncol] Abstract

Silencing of Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 Inhibits Proliferation and Migration and Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma

The role of astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) in melanoma was explored through AEG-1 silencing. Researchers showed that silencing of AEG-1 inhibited proliferation of melanoma cells and induced cell cycle arrest, accompanied by reduced levels of cyclinA, cyclinB, cyclinD1, cyclinE and cyclin dependent kinase 2. [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] Abstract

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: New and Future Synthetic Drug Treatments

The authors cover the available therapeutic options for patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, focusing on systemic and targeted therapies. [Expert Opin Pharmacother] Abstract

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

Cellular Dynamics International Signs Distribution Deal with STEMCELL Technologies

Cellular Dynamics International announced it has signed a distribution agreement with STEMCELL Technologies, a world leader in induced pluripotent stem cell culture media. [STEMCELL Technologies Inc.] Press Release

Vyome Announces Top-Line Results from Phase I Study of VB-1953 for Patients with Facial Acne Vulgaris

Vyome Biosciences announced top-line data from its Phase I clinical trial evaluating VB-1953, a topically administered gel designed to treat patients with moderate to severe acne. [Vyome Biosciences] Press Release

What Happened at March for Science Events around the World

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday in Washington DC, and at least 600 other cities around the world, in what may have been one of the largest-ever demonstrations in support of scientific research and evidence-based policymaking. [Nature News] Editorial

French Scientists Focus on the Big Political Picture

Researchers in France overwhelmingly oppose the far right and can stamp out its rise by turning out to register their disapproval. [Nature News] Editorial

Power Struggle Erupts at Utah Cancer Institute over Director’s Firing

The abrupt dismissal of the head of a Utah cancer center is causing backlash from its faculty—and its major philanthropic funder—in a struggle over the center’s autonomy from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. And nearly 2000 researchers have signed a petition calling on the university to reverse its decision. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Summit for Cancer Immunotherapy 2017
June 25-28, 2017
Gatineau-Ottawa, Canada

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

NEW PhD Projects – Biomedical Sciences (Macquarie University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Adipocytes in Melanoma (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Scientist – Cell Biology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunocore)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Melanoma (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Skin Epigenetics (Boston University)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Assistant – Psoriasis (University of California, Davis)

Two Postdoctoral Positions – Melanoma (Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute)

Clinical Research Fellow – Melanoma (CRUK Manchester Institute)

Professorships – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Junior Research Group Leader – Analytics and Toxicology (The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment)

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