Dermal Cell News Volume 3.38 | Nov 20 2017

TOP STORY

Regeneration of the Entire Human Epidermis Using Transgenic Stem Cells

Scientists showed that autologous transgenic keratinocyte cultures regenerated an entire, fully functional epidermis on a seven-year-old child suffering from a devastating, life-threatening form of junctional epidermolysis bullosa. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Loci Associated with Skin Pigmentation Identified in African Populations

Using in vitro and in vivo analyses, investigators showed that MFSD12 codes for a lysosomal protein that modifies pigmentation in human melanocytes, with decreased MFSD12 expression associated with darker pigmentation. They also showed that genetic knockouts of MFSD12 orthologs affect pigmentation in both zebrafish and mice. [Science] Abstract

Circadian Actin Dynamics Drive Rhythmic Fibroblast Mobilization during Wound Healing

Researchers interrogated the functional consequences of the cell-autonomous clockwork in fibroblasts using a proteome-wide screen for rhythmically expressed proteins. The cellular clock modulated the efficiency of actin-dependent processes such as cell migration and adhesion, which ultimately affect the efficacy of wound healing. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Divergent Proliferation Patterns of Distinct Human Hair Follicle Epithelial Progenitor Niches in Situ and Their Differential Responsiveness to Prostaglandin D2

The authors quantitatively demonstrated in situ the relative cell cycle inactivity of the CD200+/K15+ bulge compared to other non-bulge CD34+ and K15+ progenitor compartments and found that in each recognized epithelial hair follicle stem cell (eHFSC)/progenitor niche, proliferation associates negatively with eHFSC-marker expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Loss of Lamin B1 Is a Biomarker to Quantify Cellular Senescence in Photoaged Skin

Investigators demonstrated that loss of lamin B1 facilitates the detection and quantification of senescent cells upon UV-exposure in vitro and upon chronic UV-exposure and skin regeneration in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Harnessing BET Inhibitor Sensitivity Reveals AMIGO2 as a Melanoma Survival Gene

Scientists interrogated the transcriptional effects of bromodomain and extraterminal domain inhibitors (BETi) and identified AMIGO2, a transmembrane molecule, as a BET target gene essential for melanoma cell survival. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Protein Engineering of the Chemokine CCL20 Prevents Psoriasiform Dermatitis in an IL-23–Dependent Murine Model

When given in an IL-23–dependent mouse model for psoriasis, CCL20 S64C prevented psoriatic inflammation and the up-regulation of IL-17A and IL-22. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Interferon-ᵷ2; Signaling in Melanocytes and Melanoma Cells Regulates Expression of CTLA-4

The authors report that CTLA-4 is also highly expressed by most human melanoma cell lines, as well as in normal human melanocytes. Interferon-gamma signaling activated the expression of the human CTLA-4 gene in a melanocyte and melanoma cell-specific manner. [Cancer Res] Abstract

A Comprehensive Patient-Derived Xenograft Collection Representing the Heterogeneity of Melanoma

To facilitate further advancements through pre-clinical in vivo modeling, investigators established 459 patient-derived xenografts and live tissue samples from 384 patients representing the full spectrum of clinical, therapeutic, mutational, and biological heterogeneity of melanoma. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Genetic and Genomic Characterization of 462 Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenografts, Tumor Biopsies, and Cell Lines

Sequencing of 108 genes previously implicated in melanomagenesis was performed on 462 patient-derived xenografts, cell lines, and tumors to identify mutational and copy number aberrations. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

The Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein Regulates Tumor Invasiveness-Related Pathways in Melanoma Cells

Researchers showed that fragile X mental retardation protein is overexpressed in human melanoma with high Breslow thickness and high Clark level. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Skin and Its Regenerative Powers: An Alliance between Stem Cells and Their Niche

The authors focus on the epithelial stem cells of skin, where they come from, where they reside, and how they function in normal homeostasis and wound repair. [Dev Cell] Abstract

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

VetCell Therapeutics and Western University Seek Allogeneic Stem Cell Treatment for Canine Atopic Dermatitis

VetCell Therapeutics announced that it has entered into a collaborative clinical study with Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, to study the efficacy and safety of treating canine atopic dermatitis with mesenchymal stem cells. [VetCell Therapeutics] Press Release

The Wistar Institute Awarded More Than $16.5M in Grants to Fund Cancer & Infectious Disease Research and Training

Scientists at The Wistar Institute have secured more than $16.5 million in funding throughout the summer and early fall of 2017. [The Wistar Institute] Press Release

UK Government Announces Research-Spending Hike ahead of Budget

The government said that it would boost public spending on research and development to £12.5 billion in 2021–22, an increase of £500 million on what is already planned for the year before. The rise builds on a surprise announcement made last year, when politicians promised yearly increases in research funding until 2020. [Nature News] Editorial

FDA Announces Comprehensive Regenerative Medicine Policy Framework

The FDA announced a comprehensive policy framework for the development and oversight of regenerative medicine products, including novel cellular therapies. The framework – outlined in a suite of four guidance documents – builds upon the FDA’s existing risk-based regulatory approach to more clearly describe what products are regulated as drugs, devices, and/or biological products. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Editorial

NEW SYStem – Symposium for the Next Generation of Stem Cell Researchers
February 22-24, 2018
Vienna, Austria

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

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Skin Cancer and Aging (University of Pennsylvania)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Melanoma (University of Miami)

NEW Research Scientist – Melanoma (The Francis Crick Institute)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tissue Engineering (University of Zurich)

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

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

PhD Position – Molecular Biology (University of Luxembourg)

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