Dermal Cell News Volume 4.05 | Feb 19 2018

TOP STORY

Genetic Alterations Driving Metastatic Colony Formation Are Acquired Outside of the Primary Tumor in Melanoma

Researchers found that lymphatic dissemination occurs shortly after dermal invasion of the primary lesion at a median thickness of ~0.5 mm and that typical driver changes, including BRAF mutation and gained or lost regions comprising genes like MET or CDKNA2, are acquired within the lymph node at the time of colony formation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

MicroRNA-223 Suppresses the Canonical NF-κB Pathway in Basal Keratinocytes to Dampen Neutrophilic Inflammation

Scientists report that neutrophilic inflammation is augmented in miR-223-deficient zebrafish, due primarily to elevated activation of the canonical nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Deletion of a Pathogenic Mutation-Containing Exon of COL7A1 Allows Clonal Gene Editing Correction of RDEB Patient Epidermal Stem Cells

The authors provide a proof-of-principle for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa treatment through ex vivo gene editing based on removal of pathogenic mutation-containing, functionally expendable COL7A1 exons in patient epidermal stem cells. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

Development of a Bacterial Cellulose-Based Hydrogel Cell Carrier Containing Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts for Full-Thickness Wound Healing

Researchers assessed the ability to deliver human epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts for the treatment of full-thickness skin lesions. In vitro studies demonstrated that bacterial cellulose/acrylic acid hydrogel had excellent cell attachment, maintained cell viability with limited migration, and allowed cell transfer. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Constitutive Overexpression of Periostin Delays Wound Healing in Mouse Skin

Scientists generated Postn-transgenic mice under the control of the CAG promoter/enhancer to investigate the effects of constitutive overexpression of full length periostin during its pathophysiological roles. When transgenic mice were injured, periostin overexpression delayed the closure of excisional wounds. [Wound Repair Regen] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Molecular Signatures of Circulating Melanoma Cells for Monitoring Early Response to Immune Checkpoint Therapy

Researchers developed a molecular signature of melanoma circulating tumor cells (CTCs) to quantify early tumor response using blood-based monitoring. A quantitative 19-gene digital RNA signature applied to microfluidically enriched CTCs robustly distinguished melanoma cells, within a background of blood cells in reconstituted and in patient-derived blood specimens. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

RSK Regulates PFK-2 Activity to Promote Metabolic Rewiring in Melanoma

Investigators showed that the MAPK-activated p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) is necessary to maintain glycolytic metabolism in BRAF-mutated melanoma cells. RSK directly phosphorylated the regulatory domain of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 2, an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate during glycolysis. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Senescence-Associated Secretory Factors Induced by Cisplatin in Melanoma Cells Promote Non-Senescent Melanoma Cell Growth through Activation of the ERK1/2-RSK1 Pathway

Scientists demonstrated that various melanoma cell lines adopted senescence phenotype after cisplatin treatment in contrast to the other types of tumor cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Fibroblasts Potentiate Melanoma Cells In Vitro Invasiveness Induced by UV-Irradiated Keratinocytes

The authors tested the effect of UV irradiation of normal keratinocytes and their consequent interaction with normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts isolated from melanoma, respectively. Using this model of UV influenced microenvironment, they measured melanoma cell migration in 3-D collagen gels. [Histochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Zinc and Skin Disorders

The skin is the third most zinc (Zn)-abundant tissue in the body. The skin consists of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, and each fraction is composed of various types of cells. The authors review the physiological functions of Zn and Zn transporters in these cells. [Nutrients] Full Article

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

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Presents New Data on GBR 830, a First-in-Class, Investigational, Anti-OX40 Monoclonal Antibody for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals presented findings from a Phase IIa study of GBR 830, an investigational anti-OX40 monoclonal antibody. [Press release from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals discussing research presented at the 2018 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, San Diego] Press Release

FDA Grants Priority Review for Genentech’s Rituxan (Rituximab) for Pemphigus Vulgaris

Genentech announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted the company’s Supplemental Biologics License Application and granted Priority Review for the use of Rituxan^® for the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris, a rare, life-threatening condition characterized by progressive painful blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. [Genentech] Press Release

Athenex Announces Early Completion of Patients Enrollment for Two Phase III Clinical Studies of KX2-391 Ointment for Actinic Keratosis

Athenex, Inc. announced early completion of patient enrollment for both Phase III clinical studies of KX2-391 Ointment for actinic keratosis indications months ahead of schedule. [Athenex, Inc.] Press Release

Xcovery Announces Initiation of Phase II Clinical Trial for Ensartinib in Melanoma Patients with ALK Alternations

Xcovery announced the initiation of its Phase II clinical trial of ensartinib, the company’s lead anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) drug candidate, in patients with advanced malignant melanoma harboring alterations in ALK, including ALK^ATI. [Xcovery (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Phase I/II Clinical Trial Results Positive for SpinalCyte’s CybroCell^™ Dermal Fibroblasts

Degenerative disc disease has long been considered an inevitable part of aging, but new breakthrough research from SpinalCyte, LLC suggests a new cell-based therapy could provide a cure for millions of sufferers. [SpinalCyte, LLC] Press Release

Biden Blasts Science Denialists, Calls to Dramatically Speed Up Fight against Cancer

Fresh off a plane from the NATO meeting in Munich, where he’d conferred with world leaders on global defense, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden issued a forceful call here last night to build on the “Cancer Moonshot” he started while in the White House and transform the way the world fights cancer. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Trump’s Science Advisor, Age 31, Has a Political Science Degree

A job that’s been held by some of the nation’s top scientists is now occupied by a 31-year-old politics major from Princeton University. And it’s unlikely to change soon, observers say, leaving President Trump without a science advisor as the administration wrestles with a severe outbreak of the flu, lead-poisoned drinking water and record-breaking disasters that many scientists say are sharpened by rising temperatures. [Scientific American] Editorial

Few UK Universities Have Adopted Rules against Impact-Factor Abuse

Institutions have made little progress against the misuse of research metrics when hiring and promoting academics. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Notch Signaling in Development, Regeneration and Disease
July 22-27, 2018
Lewiston, Maine, United States

NEW The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Conference 2018
October 23-24, 2018
New York, New York, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (Indiana University School of Medicine)

Scientific Editor – Cancer Cell (Elsevier)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Cancer Biology (Institute of Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Biology (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

PhD Position – Melanoma (University of Luxembourg)

Director – Melanoma Global Value Evidence Leader (Merck)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Microbiology & Immunology (Johns Hopkins University)

Pioneer Award Postdoctoral Fellowships – Melanoma (University of Miami)

PhD or Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Repair, Stem Cell Fate and Tumor Heterogeneity (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

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