Dermal Cell News Volume 3.33 | Oct 2 2017

TOP STORY

PAK Signaling Drives Acquired Drug Resistance to MAPK Inhibitors in BRAF-Mutant Melanomas

Scientists investigated the molecular mechanisms that underlie acquired resistance to BRAFi and to combined therapy. They showed that resistance to BRAFi was mediated by ERK pathway reactivation. Resistance to combined therapy, however, was mediated by mechanisms independent of reactivation of ERK in many resistant cell lines and clinical samples. [Nature] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

An RNAi Screen Reveals an Essential Role for HIPK4 in Human Skin Epithelial Differentiation from iPSCs

Using an approach including RNAi and high-throughput imaging of early epithelial cells, scientists identified candidate kinases involved in their differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Among these, they found HIPK4 to be an important inhibitor of this process. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Activation of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 3 Regulates Inflammatory Actions of Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

The authors identified transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) expression both on human skin and cultured epidermal keratinocytes. TRPV3 stimulation was found to function as a Ca²⁺-permeable ion channel which suppressed proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and induced cell death. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Skin Regeneration with Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogels Conjugated with Substance P in a Diabetic Rat Model

Scientists showed that the wounds treated with self-assembled peptide and substance P exhibited significantly accelerated wound closure, enhanced collagen deposition, and increased angiogenesis. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Osteopontin Activates Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Repair Skin Wound

Investigators found that osteopontin stimulated the migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro, and observed the recruitment of endogenous MSCs to a skin wound and their differentiation into keratinocytes and endothelial cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Targeting of Cell Surface Proteolysis of Collagen XVII Impedes Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression

Scientists revealed that post-translational modification of ColXVII by ectodomain shedding was the major driver of squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) progression, since ectodomain-selective immunostaining was mainly localized at the invasive front of human cutaneous SCCs and exclusive expression of a non-sheddable ColXVII mutant in SCC-25 cells inhibited their matrix-independent growth and invasiveness. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Interleukin 8 Mediates Bcl-xL-Induced Enhancement of Human Melanoma Cell Dissemination and Angiogenesis in a Zebrafish Xenograft Model

Researchers investigated whether the bcl-xL/CXCL8 axis was important for promoting melanoma angiogenesis and aggressiveness in vivo, using angiogenesis and xenotransplantation assays in zebrafish embryos. When injected into wild type embryos, bcl-xL-overexpressing melanoma cells showed enhanced dissemination and angiogenic activity compared with control cells. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

PRAS40 Promotes NF-κB Transcriptional Activity through Association with p65

The authors found that PRAS40 overexpression in lung adenocarcinoma and cutaneous melanoma was significantly correlated to worse prognosis. They identified an unexpected role for PRAS40 in the regulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling. [Oncogenesis] Abstract

MiR-29a Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of Melanoma A375 Cells by Directly Targeting Bmi1

Investigators showed that miR-29a was down-regulated in all tested melanoma cell lines. Up-regulating miR-29a effectively inhibited viability migration, and invasion, but promoted apoptosis of A375 cells. [Oncol Res] Abstract

The Role of Nitric Oxide in Melanoma

The authors outline the roles of nitric oxide (NO) in melanoma development and proliferation. As demonstrated by multiple in vivo murine models and observations from human tissue, NO may promote melanoma formation and proliferation through its interaction via inhibitory immune cells, inhibition of apoptosis, stimulation of pro-tumorigenic cytokines, activation of tumor associated macrophages, alteration of angiogenic processes, and stimulation of melanoma formation itself. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

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

Regeneron and Sanofi Announce Approval of DUPIXENT^® (dupilumab) to Treat Adult Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in the European Union

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for DUPIXENT^®, for use in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who are candidates for systemic therapy. [Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Bavencio (Avelumab) Approved for Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Japan

Merck KGaA and Pfizer Inc. announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved BAVENCIO^® as the first and only treatment indicated for curatively unresectable Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, in Japan. [Merck KGaA] Press Release

Avita Medical Announces Submission of U.S. FDA Premarket Approval (PMA) Application for the ReCell^® Device for Treatment of Burn Injuries

Avita Medical announced that it has submitted to the FDA a Pre-Market Approval application for its ReCell^® Autologous Cell Harvesting Device for treatment of burn injuries. [Avita Medical] Press Release

After Upheaval, Russian Academy of Sciences Gets New Leader

After months of uncertainty, the Russian Academy of Sciences finally has a new leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin approved physicist Alexander Sergeyev as the academy’s president for the next five years. Sergeyev has vowed to secure more money for Russian science and create a fund, through a new tax on fossil fuel company profits, for upgrading the country’s antiquated research infrastructure. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

French Government Proposes Big Science-Spending Boost

French research funding is set for a heartening increase in the country’s first budget under President Emmanuel Macron, if draft 2018 plans are voted into law. [Nature News] Editorial

Researchers Caught in Growing Rift over Catalan Independence

Scientists in Catalonia are feeling the ripples of a severe crisis as the region’s bid for independence from Spain comes to a head. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA)’s 10^th Annual Scientific Retreat
February 28-March 2, 2018
Washington, D.C., United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Melanoma (The Danish Cancer Society Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Genomics (University of California, San Diego)

Senior Scientist – Cancer Biology (Dana Farber Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Development (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Position – Wound Healing (University of Connecticut Health Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Oncology and Mouse Modeling (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – PD-L1/PD-1 Signals in Melanoma (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

PhD Position – Molecular Biology (University of Luxembourg)

Research Fellow – Melanoma (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Melanoma (Harvard Medical School)

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

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