Dermal Cell News Volume 3.22 | Jun 26 2017

TOP STORY

Receptor and Microenvironment Dual-Recognizable Nanogel for Targeted Chemotherapy of Highly Metastatic Malignancy

A dual targeting nanogel of PMNG engineered with both phenylboronic acid (PBA) and morpholine was reported for not only receptor-mediated targeting (RMT) via specific recognition of sialyl epitopes but also environment-mediated targeting toward extracellular acidity. Further engineering the nanoparticles via loading doxorubicin (DOX) brought a novel dual targeting system, i.e., PMNG/DOX. PMNG/DOX demonstrated a greater targeting effect to both primary and metastatic B16F10 melanoma than the single PBA-modified nanogel with only RMT in vitro and in vivo. [Nano Lett] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Differential Activation of Human Keratinocytes by Leishmania spp. Causing Localized or Disseminated Disease

The authors hypothesized that Leishmania infection causes keratinocytes to produce immunomodulatory factors that influence the outcome of infection. Incubation of primary or immortalized human keratinocytes with L. infantum or L. major, which cause visceral or cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively, elicited dramatically different responses. Keratinocytes incubated with L. infantum significantly increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes IL6, IL8, TNF, and IL1B, whereas keratinocytes exposed to several L. major isolates did not. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Hydrogen Gas Protects IP₃Rs by Reducing Disulfide Bridges in Human Keratinocytes under Oxidative Stress

Skin aging processes are modeled by treating keratinocytes with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Researchers showed that H₂O₂ dose-dependently impaired the adenosine triphosphate-induced Ca²⁺ response, which was partially protected via co-treatment with β-mercaptoethanol, resulting in reduced disulfide bond formation in inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs). [Sci Rep] Full Article

High-Risk Human Papillomavirus E7 Alters Host DNA Methylome and Represses HLA-E Expression in Human Keratinocytes

To investigate the extent of gene expression dysregulated by human papillomavirus E7-induced DNA methylation, the authors analyzed parallel global gene expression and DNA methylation using normal immortalized keratinocyte lines, NIKS, NIKS-16, NIKS-18, and NIKS-16∆E7. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cultivation of Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Epidermal Keratinocytes on Keratin-Coated Silica Bead Substrates

To investigate cell response, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) were cultured on the substrates over four days. Scientists showed that keratin coatings significantly enhanced the metabolic activity of HDFs and encouraged cell spreading but did not exert any significant effects on HEKs. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Lipo-PGE1 Suppresses Collagen Production in Human Dermal Fibroblasts via the ERK/Ets-1 Signaling Pathway

Researchers investigated the cellular signaling mechanism by which Lipo-prostaglandin E1 (Lipo-PGE1) regulates collagen in human dermal fibroblasts. Collagen production was evaluated by the Sircol collagen assay, western blot analysis of type I collagen and real time PCR. Lipo-PGE1 decreased mRNA expression of collagen 1A1, 1A2, and 3A1. Lipo-PGE1 markedly inhibited type I collagen and total soluble collagen production. [PLos One] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Membrane-Binding and Activation of LKB1 by Phosphatidic Acid Is Essential for Development and Tumor Suppression

Investigators found LKB1 to be downregulated in malignant melanoma, which exhibited aberrant activation of Akt and overexpressed phosphatidic acid generating phospholipase D. Their results provide evidence for a fundamental mechanism of LKB1 activation and its implication in vivo and during carcinogenesis. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Highly Aggressive Metastatic Melanoma Cells Unable to Maintain Telomere Length

Reseachers proposed that, during melanoma formation, oncogenic mutations occur in precursor melanocytes with long telomeres, providing cells with sufficient replicative potential, thereby bypassing the need to re-activate telomerase. Their data supported the emerging idea that long telomeres promote melanoma formation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Identification of C/EBPα as a Novel Target of the HPV8 E6 Protein Regulating miR-203 in Human Keratinocytes

Scientists demonstrated that miR-203, a key regulator of epidermal proliferation and differentiation, is strongly down-regulated in human papillomavirus (HPV)8-positive epidermodysplasia verruciformis-lesions. They provide evidence that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), a differentiation-regulating transcription factor and suppressor of UV-induced skin carcinogenesis, directly binds the miR-203 gene within its hairpin region and thereby induces miR-203 transcription. Their data further demonstrated that the HPV8 E6 protein significantly suppresses this novel C/EBPα/mir-203-pathway. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Oncogene-Expressing Senescent Melanocytes Upregulate MHC Class II, a Candidate Melanoma Suppressor Function

Researchers showed that engagement of oncogene-induced senescence in primary human melanocytes, specifically by melanoma driver mutations NRASQ61K and BRAFV600E, causes expression of the MHC class II antigen presentation apparatus, via secreted IL1ß signaling and expression of CIITA, a master regulator of MHC class II gene transcription. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Nanoparticle-Based Dressing: The Future of Wound Treatment?

Reconstructing functional skin after a wound remains a challenge due to the complexity of healing. The authors discuss how biocompatible nanoparticles carrying and releasing bioactive drugs in a controlled and sustained manner may significantly improve the efficacy of wound therapies compared with current treatments. They review experimental in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro models have been developed in preclinical assays to evaluate the beneficial effects of nanoparticulate dressings. [Trends Biotechnol] Abstract

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

RepliCel Collaborates with University of British Columbia to Build World-Class Hair Follicle Cell Data Map

RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. announced it has signed a collaborative research project agreement with the University of British Columbia. The project is designed to deliver a gene and protein expression “map” of healthy hair follicle cells expected to be critically important to improving key components of the manufacturing, regulatory, and clinical profile of RepliCel’s cell therapy products. [RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.] Press Release

Human Longevity, Inc. Announces Agreement with Merck Kgaa, Darmstadt, Germany to Engage in Cancer Biomarker Discovery in Advanced Melanoma

Human Longevity, Inc. announced that the company has signed an agreement with Merck KGaA. The companies have started a joint pilot project to identify treatment response biomarker signatures in patients with advanced melanoma. [Human Longevity, Inc.] Press Release

Idera Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation for IMO-2125 for the Treatment of Melanoma

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation for IMO-2125, an agonist of endosomal toll-like receptor 9 for the treatment of melanoma stages IIb to IV. [Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Scientists in Limbo as US Supreme Court Allows Modified Travel Ban

The US Supreme Court has reinstated a limited version of President Donald Trump’s temporary order banning travellers from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. The court will hear a legal challenge to the ban in October. The court’s decision casts doubt on the fate of students and scientists from these countries who hope to study or work in the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

US Court Grants Elsevier Millions in Damages from Sci-Hub

One of the world’s largest science publishers, Elsevier, won a default legal judgement against websites that provide illicit access to tens of millions of research papers and books. A New York district court awarded Elsevier US$15 million in damages for copyright infringement by Sci-Hub, the Library of Genesis project and related sites. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy
October 1-4, 2017
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

NEW VII InterAmerican Oncology Conference
October 5-6, 2017
Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular-Stromal Regulation in the Dermis (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Non-Coding RNAs and Skin Wound Healing (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Gene Regulation in Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration (Northwestern University)

PhD Candidate – Melanoma (University Medical Center Gottingen)

Postdoctoral Position – Skin Cancer and Other Skin Diseases (Boston University)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (University of Toronto)

Professorship – Cancer Genomics (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Skin Stem Cells (Columbia University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Program – Melanoma (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

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.