Dermal Cell News Volume 3.23 | Jul 10 2017

TOP STORY

CNIO Researchers Visualize Early Melanoma Metastasis and Identify New Targets for Treatment

Researchers have developed mouse models that can reveal, without surgery or additional interventions, how melanoma acts throughout the body, even before the occurrence of metastases. The imaging strategy used genetic modifications to obtain mice that emit light when there is a pathogenic activation of lymphatic vessels. [Press release from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

The Circular RNA Interacts with STAT3, Increasing Its Nuclear Translocation and Wound Repair by Modulating Dnmt3a and miR-17 Function

Investigators showed that expression of the circular RNA circ-Amotl1 accelerated healing process in a mouse excisional wound model. They showed that ectopic circ-Amotl1 increased protein levels of Stat3 and Dnmt3a. The increased Dnmt3a then methylated the promoter of microRNA miR-17, decreasing miR-17-5p levels but increasing fibronectin expression. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Dermal Blimp1 Acts Downstream of Epidermal TGFβ and Wnt/β-Catenin to Regulate Hair Follicle Formation and Growth

Researchers showed that Blimp1 is dynamically regulated in dermal papilla cells during hair follicle morphogenesis and the postnatal hair cycle, preceding dermal Wnt/β-catenin activation. Blimp1 ablation in E12.5 mouse dermal fibroblasts delayed HF morphogenesis and growth and prevented new HF formation following wounding. [J Invest Dermatol] Full Article

A Gelatin-Sulfonated Silk Composite Scaffold Based on 3D Printing Technology Enhances Skin Regeneration by Stimulating Epidermal Growth and Dermal Neovascularization

The authors used three-dimensional printing to fabricate a gelatin-sulfonated silk composite scaffold that was incorporated with basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) through binding with a sulfonic acid group (SO3) (3DG-SF-SO3-FGF). The efficacy and mechanism by which the 3DG-SF-SO3-FGF scaffolds promote skin regeneration were investigated both within in vitro cell culture and in vivo with a full-thickness skin defect model. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Synergistic Effect of Human Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Chronic Wounds through Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 α Induction

Scientists investigated whether recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (hBMP-2) potentiates the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) on wound healing. Severe ulceration was induced in rats by irradiation and treated by co-infusion of MSCs with hBMP-2 into the ulcerated area which accelerated wound healing. Potentiation of the effect of MSCs by hBMP-2 on endothelial repair improved skin healing. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Structure of Human Tyrosinase Related Protein 1 Reveals a Binuclear Zinc Active Site Important for Melanogenesis

Scientists showed that the typical tyrosinase-like subdomain of tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) contained two zinc ions in the active site instead of copper ions as found in tyrosinases, which explained why TYRP1 did not exhibit tyrosinase redox activity. In addition, the structures revealed for the first time that the Cys-rich subdomain, which is unique to vertebrate melanogenic proteins, had an epidermal growth factor-like fold and was tightly associated with the tyrosinase subdomain. [Angew Chem Int Ed Engl] Abstract | Press Release

BRAFV600 Inhibition Alters the MicroRNA Cargo in the Vesicular Secretome of Malignant Melanoma Cells

To elucidate the possible functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in BRAF-mutant melanoma, scientists determined the RNA content of the EVs, including apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes, released from such cancer cells after vemurafenib treatment. They found that vemurafenib significantly increased the total RNA and protein content of the released EVs and caused significant changes in the RNA profiles. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Transcriptional Regulation of Ataxia–Telangiectasia and Rad3-Related Protein by Activated p21-Activated Kinase-1 Protects Keratinocytes in UV-B-Induced Premalignant Skin Lesions

The authors found that phospho-p21-activated kinase-1 (Pak1) and Pak1 expression was high in clinical samples of sunlight-induced premalignant skin lesions assessed by immunohistochemistry. They observed that phospho-Pak1 and Pak1 levels are high in UV-B-exposed hairless SKH mouse model skin samples as compared with unexposed skin tissue. [Oncogene] Abstract

microRNA-26a Inhibits the Growth and Invasiveness of Malignant Melanoma and Directly Targets on MITF Gene

MicroRNAs have been recently discovered as novel molecules that provide therapeutic benefits against melanoma. Investigators aimed to examine the effects of miR-26a and let-7a on the growth and invasiveness of malignant melanoma in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Death Discov] Abstract

Advances in Keratinocyte Delivery in Burn Wound Care

The authors give an updated overview on keratinocyte transplantation in burn wounds concentrating on application methods and future therapeutic cell delivery options with a special interest in hydrogels and spray devices for cell delivery. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Full Article

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Phase III Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Adjuvant Opdivo in Resected High-Risk Melanoma Patients Meets Primary Endpoint

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that a Phase III study evaluating Opdivo versus Yervoy in patients with stage IIIb/c or stage IV melanoma who are at high risk of recurrence following complete surgical resection met its primary endpoint at a planned interim analysis, demonstrating superior recurrence-free survival in patients receiving Opdivo compared to Yervoy. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s ORENCIA (abatacept) Receives FDA Approval for Treatment of Active Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) in Adults

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ORENCIA for the treatment of adults with active Psoriatic Arthritis. ORENCIA is approved and available in both intravenous and subcutaneous injection formulations. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

SciBase Receives US approval for Nevisense

SciBase has now received confirmation from the FDA that the Nevisense PMA has been approved. According to the letter from the FDA the device is: ‘intended for use on cutaneous lesions with one or more clinical or historical characteristics of melanoma, when a dermatologists chooses to obtain additional information when considering a biopsy.’ [SciBase] Press Release

Trump Administration Chooses Georgia Physician to Lead US Public-Health Agency

Obstetrician and gynecologist Brenda Fitzgerald will direct the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price announced. [Nature News] Editorial

French Scientist Fined for Failure to Disclose Industry Ties

In an unprecedented court case in Paris, an eminent French lung specialist has been fined €50,000 and given a six-month suspended jail sentence because he didn’t disclose his ties to the oil industry during a Senate air-pollution inquiry. [Nature News] Editorial

Europe’s Next Big Science-Funding Program Urged to Double Its Budget

Midway through the European Union’s sprawling seven-year, €75-billion research-funding program known as Horizon 2020, scientists are already angling for more money and less red tape in its successor. [Nature News] Editorial

Germany and Poland Launch Research ‘Twinning’ Effort

Germany and Poland are to jointly fund top scientists to start research groups at Polish institutes, in a scheme that could provide a new blueprint for east–west research collaboration in the European Union. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets & Cancer Therapeutics
October 26-30, 2017
Philadelphia, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Epithelial Stem Cell Biology (University of Michigan Healthcare System)

NEW Group Leader – Melanoma (University of Lille Nord de France)

NEW Research Fellow – Melanoma (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

NEW Associate Professor – Cancer Biology (NYU Langone School of Medicine)

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

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)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (University of Toronto)

Postdoctoral Program – Melanoma (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

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