Dermal Cell News Volume 3.36 | Oct 30 2017

TOP STORY

Electrospun Micropatterned Nanocomposites Incorporated with Cu₂S Nanoflowers for Skin Tumor Therapy and Wound Healing

Surgical excision of skin cancers can hardly remove the tumor tissues completely and simultaneously result in cutaneous defects. To avoid tumor recurrence and heal the tumor-induced wounds, researchers designed a tissue engineering membrane possessing bifunctions of tumor therapy and skin tissue regeneration. [ACS Nano] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Activation of STAT3 Integrates Common Profibrotic Pathways to Promote Fibroblast Activation and Tissue Fibrosis

Investigators showed that profibrotic signals converge on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and that STAT3 may be an important molecular checkpoint for tissue fibrosis. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Transglutaminase 2 Mediates UV-Induced Skin Inflammation by Enhancing Inflammatory Cytokine Production

The authors report a novel role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a member of the TG enzyme family whose activities are critical for cornified envelope formation, in mediating UV-induced inflammation. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde Accelerates Acute Wound Healing through Activation of Focal Adhesion Signaling in Keratinocytes

Researchers investigated the effects and mechanisms of 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) on acute wound healing. Using an in vitro approach, they found that 4-HBA significantly promoted keratinocyte cell migration and invasion by increasing focal adhesion kinase and Src activity. In addition, 4-HBA treatment also promoted wound healing and re-epithelialization in an in vivo excision wound animal model. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Epidermal SIRT1 Regulates Inflammation, Cell Migration, and Wound Healing

Using mice with epidermis-specific sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) deletion, scientists showed that SIRT1 is required for efficient wound healing. SIRT1 deficiency in the epidermis inhibited the regeneration of both the epidermis and the dermal stroma. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Sensory TRP Channels Contribute Differentially to Skin Inflammation and Persistent Itch

Researchers showed that both TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels are required for generating spontaneous scratching in a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis induced by squaric acid dibutylester, a small molecule hapten, through directly promoting the excitability of pruriceptors. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Using siRNA-Based Spherical Nucleic Acid Nanoparticle Conjugates for Gene Regulation in Psoriasis

The authors presented an IMQ animal model of psoriasis and designed a safe fusion peptide carrier, spherical nucleic acid gold nanoparticles conjugate, to improve penetration of the siRNA into the cells and skin and their targeting ability to gene regulation. [J Control Release] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Demethylzeylasteral Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis through Suppressing MCL1 in Melanoma Cells

Investigators demonstrated that demethylzeylasteral has an anti-tumor property in melanoma cells. Demethylzeylasteral not only inhibited cell proliferation through cell cycle arrest at S phase, but also induced cell apoptosis in melanoma cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Natural Product Mensacarcin Induces Mitochondrial Toxicity and Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells

Researchers investigated mensacarcin’s unique cytostatic and cytotoxic effects and its mode of action. By assessing morphological and bio-chemical features they demonstrated that mensacarcin activates caspase 3,7-dependent apoptotic pathways and induces cell death in melanoma cells. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

Melanoma Topology Reveals a Stem-Like Phenotype that Promotes Angiogenesis

Scientists showed that putative melanoma-initiating cell (MIC) demonstrates significant enhancement in the secretion of proangiogenic molecules. They suggested the possibility of an “invasive niche” at the perimeter of a growing tumor that promotes a MIC state with angiogenic activity. Using several in vitro and in vivo models of tumor angiogenesis, researchers saw concurrent stem-like characteristics with initiation of neovascularization. [Sci Adv] Full Article

Restoration of Skin Pigmentation After Deep Partial or Full-Thickness Burn Injury

The authors discuss the possible mechanisms to replenish the melanocytes from the healthy epidermis and hair follicles surrounding burn wounds. The molecular mechanisms of skin repigmentation following healing of burn injuries includes the differentiation of melanoblasts into melanocytes, the distribution and responses of melanocytes and melanocyte stem cells after burn injury, and the regulation of melanin production. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Abstract

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

Novartis Combination Adjuvant Therapy Tafinlar^® + Mekinist^® Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Stage III BRAF V600 Mutation-Positive Melanoma Patients

Novartis announced that the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Tafinlar^® in combination with Mekinist^® for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage III melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation following complete resection. [Novartis] Press Release

HedgePath Pharmaceuticals Completes Enrollment for Its Phase IIb Trial in BCCNS and Provides Trial Update

HedgePath Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has completed enrollment in its previously announced open label, Phase IIb SCORING clinical trial, testing SUBA^™-Itraconazole in patients with Basal Cell Carcinoma Nevus Syndrome (BCCNS). [HedgePath Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Risankizumab Meets All Co-Primary and Ranked Secondary Endpoints, Achieving Significantly Greater Efficacy Versus Standard Biologic Therapies in Three Pivotal Phase III Psoriasis Studies

AbbVie announced positive top-line results from three pivotal Phase III clinical trials evaluating risankizumab, an investigational interleukin-23 inhibitor, compared to ustekinumab and adalimumab for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. [AbbVie] Press Release

European Medicines Agency Validates Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Type II Variation Application for Opdivo (Nivolumab) for Treatment of Patients with Resected High-Risk Advanced Melanoma

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that the European Medicines Agency validated its type II variation application, which seeks to expand the current indications for Opdivo to include the treatment of patients with melanoma who are at high risk of disease recurrence following complete surgical resection. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

US March for Science Group Faces Growing Pains

The US group that sparked the global March for Science movement is facing complaints about its management practices as it files for non-profit status and signals its intent to continue as “a movement to advance science and its role in public life”. [Nature News] Editorial

Key Legislator Tells Trump Officials to Back Off on Proposed Overhead Spending Cap for NIH

An influential legislator wants President Donald Trump’s administration and fellow Republicans to drop the notion of capping overhead costs on grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [ScienceInsider] Editorial

China Announces Plans to Fast-Track Drug Approval

China is overhauling its drug-approval system to let companies bring their treatments to market quicker and more easily. The Communist Party of China and the State Council, two of the country’s most authoritative bodies, announced plans to reduce the backlog of medicines awaiting approval by the China Food and Drug Administration. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2018 Annual Meeting
June 20-23, 2018
Melbourne, Australia

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Tissue Engineering (University of Zurich)

NEW PhD Student – Immunology/Cell Biology (University Hospital Muenster)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Melanoma (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Huntsman Cancer Institute)

Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Huntsman Cancer Institute)

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

Senior Scientist – Cancer Biology (Dana Farber Cancer Center)

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

PhD Position – Molecular Biology (University of Luxembourg)

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

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