Dermal Cell News Volume 3.28 | Aug 21 2017

TOP STORY

Cbfβ2 Deficiency Preserves Langerhans Cell Precursors by Lack of Selective TGFβ Receptor Signaling

Scientists showed that loss of Cbfβ2, one of two RNA splice variants of the Cbfb gene, results in long-term persistence of embryonic Langerhans cell (LC) precursors after their developmental arrest at the transition into the EpCAM⁺ stage. This phenotype was caused by selective loss of BMP7-mediated signaling essential for LC differentiation, whereas TGFβR signaling was intact, maintaining cells in a quiescent state. [J Exp Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Optimization of Storage Temperature for Retention of Undifferentiated Cell Character of Cultured Human Epidermal Cell Sheets

The authors optimized a method for one-week storage of cultured epidermal cell sheets for their widespread distribution and use in regenerative medicine. Compared to non-stored cells, ABCG2 expression increased between temperatures 8–16 °C. At 24 °C, reduced ABCG2 expression coincided with increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, as well as increased differentiation, cell death and mitochondrial DNA damage. [Sci Rep] Full Article

CRISPR-Assisted Receptor Deletion Reveals Distinct Roles for ERBB2 and ERBB3 in Skin Keratinocytes

Investigators employed the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate HaCaT cells lacking ERBB2 or ERBB3. HaCaT clones lacking ERBB2 or ERBB3 showed comparable reductions in cell proliferation as assessed by BrdU staining. Apoptosis, in contrast, was reduced in ERBB3-deficient HaCaT cells only. [FEBS J] Abstract

Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy Differentiate Senescent from Proliferating Cells in a Human Dermal Fibroblast 3D Skin Model

Scientists studied the transition into senescence of human dermal fibroblasts in a 3D human fibroblast-derived matrix. They identified different biochemical properties of 3D compared to 2D cultured cells, indicating that cells in their natural, skin-like 3D environment act differently than in 2D cell cultivations in vitro. [Analyst] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

The Cytotoxic Mechanism of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Proliferative HaCaT Keratinocytes

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the major ingredient of sinecatechins ointment, approved for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts. Researchers investigated the mechanism underlying EGCG’s treatment on external genital warts of human papillomavirus infection through the cultured keratinocyte cells from the HaCaT cell line. [J Biomed Sci] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

P-REX1 Amplification Promotes Progression of Cutaneous Melanoma via the PAK1/P38/MMP-2 Pathway

To explore the role of PIP3-dependent Rac exchange factor-1 (P-REX1) in melanoma, SNP 6.0 and Exon 1.0 ST microarrays were assessed. There was a higher copy number (CN) of P-REX1 in melanoma cells than in melanocytes, and P-REX1 expression was significantly correlated with P-REX1 CN. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Discovery of Potential Biomarkers in Human Melanoma Cells with Different Metastatic Potential by Metabolic and Lipidomic Profiling

Metabolomic analysis identified aminomalonic acid as a novel potential biomarker to discriminate between different stages of melanoma metastasis. Uptake and release of major metabolites as hallmarks of cancer were also measured between high and low metastatic melanoma cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase A Expression on Merkel Cell Carcinoma Cells

Anti–tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA)–targeted treatment has shown promising results in several tumor entities. Investigators determined TrkA expression in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) as a rationale for potential targeted therapy. TrkA was expressed on MCC tumor cells in 100% of evaluable specimens. [JAMA Dermatol] Abstract

18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Derivative Promotes Proliferation, Migration and Aquaporin-3 Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Researchers explored the possible pharmacological roles of an 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) derivative in skin biology using primary human dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes as cell models. They found that this 18β-GA derivative did not cause cell death, but significantly enhanced the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes. [PLoS One] Full Article

ABCB5 Promotes Melanoma Metastasis through Enhancing NF-κB p65 Protein Stability

Investigators demonstrated ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 5 (ABCB5) as a crucial factor that promotes melanoma metastasis. ABCB5 positive malignant melanoma initiating cells displayed a higher metastatic potential compared with ABCB5 negative melanoma subpopulation. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Anticancer Drugs and the Regulation of Hedgehog Genes GLI1 and PTCH1, a Comparative Study in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Cell Lines

The authors investigated a panel of anticancer drugs with known activity against skin cancer for their therapeutic potential in localized, enhanced topical treatment of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. They found that 5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, and cisplatin significantly downregulated the expression of two genes controlled by the Hedgehog pathway. [Anticancer Drugs] Abstract

Melatonin, Mitochondria, and the Skin

The authors emphasize that the melatonin–mitochondria axis would control integumental functions designed to protect local and perhaps global homeostasis. Given the phylogenetic origin and primordial actions of melatonin, they propose that the melatonin-related mitochondrial functions represent an evolutionary conserved mechanism involved in cellular adaptive response to skin injury and repair. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

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Penn Medicine Receives NIH Training Grants for Genomic Medicine

Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine have received two highly competitive post-doctoral Institutional Training Grants for genomic science from the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The awards, known as T32 grants, are distributed in a variety of biomedical categories by divisions of the NIH and help institutions support training of pre- and post-doctoral fellows in basic, clinical, and behavioral research. [University of Pennsylvania] Press Release

CPRIT Awards $13M for Prevention, Research, Recruitment

Researchers in the NCI-designated Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center have received $13,107,956 from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) for six new grants focused on evidence-based cancer prevention services, the recruitment of an established investigator, individual investigator and early translational research and core facility support. [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

NSF Reiterates Policy on Teaching Good Research Habits despite Its Limitations

The National Science Foundation (NSF) in Arlington, Virginia, has decided to double down on its implementation of a congressionally mandated policy aimed at reducing research misconduct among NSF-funded scientists, despite a new report that notes problems with the agency’s approach. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

China’s Embrace of Embryo Selection Raises Thorny Questions

Fertility centers are making a massive push to increase preimplantation genetic diagnosis in a bid to eradicate certain diseases. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW EACR-MRS: Seed and Soil: In Vivo Models of Metastasis
November 27-29, 2017
Berlin, Germany

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

NEW Scientist – Hedgehog-GLI Signaling in Melanoma Cells (University of Florence)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Melanoma (Harvard Medical School)

PhD Studentship – Skin Cancer & Aging (CRUK Manchester Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Immune Cells and Keratinocytes in Psoriasis (University of Geneva)

Postdoctoral Position – Skin Wound Healing and Inflammation (Inserm)

Research Technician – Adult Skin Stem Cells (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Postdoctoral and Research Positions – In Vitro 3D Models of Diseased Skin (University of Minho)

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

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

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