Dermal Cell News Volume 3.41 | Dec 11 2017

TOP STORY

Ligand-Activated BMP Signaling Inhibits Cell Differentiation and Death to Promote Melanoma

The authors determined that the gene encoding growth differentiation factor 6, which is the ligand for the BMP family, is recurrently amplified and transcriptionally upregulated in melanoma. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Stimulation of Hair Follicle Stem Cell Proliferation through an IL-1 Dependent Activation of γδT-Cells

Using the ablation of epidermal caspase-8 as a model of wound healing in Mus musculus, scientists analyzed the signaling components responsible for epithelial stem cell proliferation. They found that interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-7 secreted from keratinocytes work in tandem to expand the activated population of resident epidermal γδT-cells. [Elife] Full Article

E-Cadherin Dynamics Is Regulated by Galectin-7 at Epithelial Cell Surface

Investigators revealed a new function of galectin-7 in the control of directionality and collective behavior in migrating keratinocytes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Low Neurotrophin Receptor CD271 Regulates Phenotype Switching in Melanoma

The authors identified the low affinity neurotrophin receptor CD271 as a key effector of phenotype switching in melanoma. CD271 played a dual role in this process by decreasing proliferation, while simultaneously promoting invasiveness. [Nat Commun] Full Article

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

When given in an interleukin (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

MELK Promotes Melanoma Growth by Stimulating the NF-κB Pathway

Scientists showed in melanoma cells that maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is transcriptionally upregulated by the MAPK pathway via transcription factor E2F1. MELK knockdown or pharmacological inhibition blocked melanoma growth and enhanced the effectiveness of BRAFV600E inhibitor against melanoma cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Melanoma Therapeutic Strategies that Select against Resistance by Exploiting MYC-Driven Evolutionary Convergence

c-MYC (MYC) expression and pathway gene signatures were suppressed following drug treatment, and then rebounded during progression. Critically, MYC activation was necessary and sufficient for resistance, and suppression of MYC activity using genetic approaches or BET bromodomain inhibition was sufficient to resensitize cells and delay BRAFi resistance. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

IL-33 and ST2 Mediate FAK-Dependent Antitumor Immune Evasion through Transcriptional Networks

In murine squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, specifically nuclear focal adhesion kinase (FAK) enhanced the expression of the genes encoding interleukin-33 (IL-33), the chemokine CCL5, and the soluble, secreted form of the IL-33 receptor, called soluble ST2. The abundance of IL-33 and CCL5 was increased in FAK-positive SCC cells but not in normal keratinocytes. [Sci Signal] Full Article

Lysyl Oxidase-Like 3 Is Required for Melanoma Cell Survival by Maintaining Genomic Stability

Investigators showed that lysyl oxidase-like 3 (LOXL3) silencing impairs cell proliferation and triggers apoptosis in various melanoma cell lines. LOXL3 favored tumor growth in vivo and cooperated with oncogenic BRAF in melanocyte transformation. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Genetic and Experimental Evidence for the Involvement of the CD6 Lymphocyte Receptor in Psoriasis

Researchers present novel evidence in mice and humans for a direct involvement of CD6 in psoriasis pathophysiology. An attenuated form of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation was demonstrated in CD6-deficient mice, as deduced from lower epidermal thickness and local reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely, interleukin-17A. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Merkel Cell Carcinoma in the Age of Immunotherapy: Facts and Hopes

The authors highlight recent progress in merkel cell carcinoma including the underlying mechanisms of immune evasion and emerging approaches to augment the efficacy of PD-1 pathway blockade. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Paradoxical Roles of TGF-β Signaling in Suppressing and Promoting Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Scientists review the dual roles of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway and related mechanisms in squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of TGF-β/Smad-targeted therapies. [Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai)] Abstract

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

Realm Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase II Study of PR022 for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Realm Therapeutics plc announced the first patient has been dosed in its Phase II study of PR022, the company’s proprietary topical gel formulation of high concentration hypochlorous acid, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. [Realm Therapeutics plc] Press Release

DermTech Announces Addition of Ronald Moy to Scientific Advisory Board

DermTech, Inc. announced the appointment of Ronald Moy, M.D. to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Moy, M.D., is a Board Certified Dermatologist and a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. [DermTech, Inc. (Business Wire Inc.)] Press Release

Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine Launches in Seattle

Jeffrey and Susan Brotman and Pam and Dan Baty have made a $50 million gift to create the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine that combines the research strengths and capabilities of UW Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Children’s. [UW Medicine] Press Release

Brexit ‘Breakthrough’ Raises Hope — and Questions

British science is expected to benefit from a deal that would allow EU nationals to remain in the country once it leaves the union in March 2019. [Nature News] Editorial

Nine Researchers Sue University of Rochester over Sexual-Harassment Allegations

Nine researchers filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Rochester in New York, its president Joel Seligman and its provost Robert Clark over their handling of alleged sexual harassment by a professor there. [Nature News] Editorial

U.S. Science Groups Make Last-Minute Push to Influence Final Tax Deal

It wasn’t your typical graduate school experience. Eight graduate students, including doctoral students in anthropology and astrophysics at major U.S. universities, ended up in handcuffs after they refused to end a noisy protest outside the Washington, D.C., office of Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The London Stem Cell Network Symposium 2018
February 26, 2018
London, United Kingdom

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

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Skin Cancer and Aging Group (CRUK Manchester Institute)

PhD Studentships – Melanoma (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

Research Assistant – Melanoma Medical Oncology (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Associate – Melanoma (University of Miami)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Cell Signaling (University of Sussex)

Faculty Positions – Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (Sun Yat-Sen University)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer/Stem Cell Biology (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

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

PhD Position – Molecular Biology (University of Luxembourg)

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