Dermal Cell News Volume 4.21 | Jun 18 2018

TOP STORY

Adipocyte-Derived Lipids Mediate Melanoma Progression via FATP Proteins

Using in vitro and in vivo models, scientists found that adipocytes increased proliferation and invasion of adjacent melanoma cells. Adipocytes directly transfered lipids to melanoma cells, which altered tumor cell metabolism. Adipocyte-derived lipids were transferred to melanoma cells through the FATP/SLC27A family of lipid transporters expressed on the tumor cell surface. [Cancer Discov] Abstract | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Differential Effects of Graphene Materials on the Metabolism and Function of Human Skin Cells

Graphene oxide and few-layer graphene at low concentrations (5 μg mL⁻¹) induced a differential remodeling of the metabolome, preceded by an increase in the level of radical oxygen species and free cytosolic Ca²⁺. Both compounds reduced the ability of HaCaT cells to heal wounds. [Nanoscale] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

G_D3 Ganglioside-Enriched Extracellular Vesicles Stimulate Melanocyte Migration

Investigators transfected the G_D3 synthase gene in a normal melanocyte cell line in order to evaluate changes in the biological behavior of non-transformed cells. G_D3-synthase expressing cells converted G_M3 into G_D3 and accumulated both G_D3 and its acetylated form, 9-O-acetyl-G_D3. Melanocytes were rendered more migratory on laminin-1 surfaces. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Four-Dimensional, Dynamic Mosaicism Is a Hallmark of Normal Human Skin That Permits Mapping of the Organization and Patterning of Human Epidermis during Terminal Differentiation

Researchers tracked the movement of epidermal cells during normal differentiation and characterized the patterning of epidermal cells during terminal differentiation. In this coordinated proliferation model of epidermal differentiation, the skin surface was alternatively populated by synchronous, cycling of waves of cells, with each group having a different DNA sequence. [PLoS One] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Cancer Cells Copy Migratory Behavior and Exchange Signaling Networks via Extracellular Vesicles

The authors showed that cells from two distinct clones phenocopy their migratory behavior through extracellular vessicle (EV) exchange. They showed that EVs shed by these clones into the tumor microenvironment contained thousands of different proteins and RNAs, and many of these biomolecules were from interconnected signaling networks involved in cellular processes such as migration. [EMBO J] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Dual MAPK Inhibition Is an Effective Therapeutic Strategy for a Subset of Class II BRAF Mutant Melanoma

BRAFi impaired MAPK signaling and cell growth in class I and II BRAF mutant cells. Dual MAPK pathway inhibition (dMAPKi) was more effective than either single MAPKi at inhibiting cell growth in all class II BRAF mutant cells tested. dMAPKi caused tumor regression in two melanoma patient-derived-xenografts with class II BRAF mutations, and prolonged survival of mice with class II BRAF mutant melanoma brain metastases. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

SOX2-Mediated Upregulation of CD24 Promotes Adaptive Resistance towards Targeted Therapy in Melanoma

Scientists found that the upregulation of SOX2 and CD24 required activation of STAT3 and that SOX2 induced the expression of CD24 by binding to its promoter. The overexpression of SOX2 or CD24 significantly increased the resistance towards BRAF inhibitors, while SOX2 knock‐down rendered cells more sensitive towards treatment. The overexpression of CD24 or SOX2 induced Src and STAT3 activity. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Pathological Modelling of Pigmentation Disorders Associated with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) Revealed an Impaired Melanogenesis Pathway in iPS-Derived Melanocytes

Measurements of melanin content revealed a lower synthesis of melanin in HGPS melanocytes as compared to non-pathologic cells. Analysis of the melanosome maturation process by electron microscopy revealed a lower percentage of mature, fully pigmented melanosomes. Finally, a functional rescue experiment revealed the direct role of progerin in the regulation of melanogenesis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Zinc Pthalocyanine Loaded Chitosan/mPEG-PLA Nanoparticles Mediated Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Investigators loaded zinc pthalocyanine (ZnPc) on chitosan/methoxy polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid (CPP) nanoparticles to form Z-CPP to enhance photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy. In vitro and in vivo studies were performed to see dark toxicity of the compounds ZnPc, CPP, and Z-CPP. Then PDT was done and its growth inhibitory effect on squamous cell carcinoma cells was evaluated. [J Biophotonics] Abstract

Anti-Melanogenic Activity of Schaftoside in Rhizoma Arisaematis by Increasing Autophagy in B16F1 Cells

Rhizoma arisaematis extract (RA) treatment suppressed the α-MSH-stimulated increase of melanogenesis and down-regulated the expression of tyrosinase and TRP1 proteins in B16F1 cells. Autophagy was activated in RA-treated cells. Inhibition of autophagy reduced the anti-melanogenic activity of RA in α-MSH-treated B16F1 cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Keratinocytes Negatively Regulate the N-Cadherin Levels of Melanoma Cells via Contact-Mediated Calcium Regulation

Compared to mono-cultured human melanoma A375 cells, which expressed high levels of N-cadherin, those co-cultured with the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line showed reduced levels of N-cadherin. This reduction was most evident in areas of A375 cells that underwent cell-cell contact with the HaCaT cells, whereas HaCaT cell-derived extracellular matrix and conditioned medium both failed to reduce N-cadherin levels. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Enzymes as Green Catalysts and Interactive Biomolecules in Wound Dressing Hydrogels

The authors present advances in the use of enzymes to synthesize wound dressing hydrogels and their fascinating role as bioactive molecules promoting the wound healing process, preventing microbial infection, and providing in situ, in-built infection-detection and diagnostic systems. [Trends Biotechnol] Abstract

Cancer: the Dark Side of Wound Healing

Researchers discuss how wound healing pathways co‐opted in cancer lose their stringent regulation and become compromised in their reversibility. They hypothesize on how the commandeering of wound healing ‘master regulators’ is involved in this process, and also highlight the implications of these findings in the treatment of both chronic wounds and cancer. [FEBS J] Abstract | Full Article

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

DermTech and Harvard Publish Two Clinical Studies

DermTech, Inc., announced the publication of two clinical study abstracts. “Both studies demonstrate the potential of our adhesive patch skin sample collection platform to assess gene expression and mutations non-invasively in skin cancer as well as in inflammatory skin conditions,” said Dr. Burkhard Jansen, DermTech’s CMO. [Press release from DermTech (Bussiness Wire, Inc.) discussing research presented at the 2018 International Investigational Dermatology meeting, Orlando] Press Release

LEO Pharma A/S and FibroTx LLC Enter Partnership to Explore Non-Invasive Skin Test Technology

LEO Pharma, and FibroTx, announced that they have entered a partnership to explore non-invasive skin test technology. The partnership marks the first step in an alliance to measure soluble biomarkers from the skin surface of atopic dermatitis patients using a non-invasive skin test technology developed by FibroTx in Estonia. [LEO Pharma A/S] Press Release

Apexigen and Yale Cancer Center Announce Clinical Collaboration to Evaluate APX005M, Cabiralizumab, and Opdivo (Nivolumab) in Patients whose Disease has Progressed on Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Therapy

Apexigen, Inc., and Yale Cancer Center announced a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate Apexigen’s APX005M in combination with cabiralizumab and Opdivo in patients with advanced solid tumors. The Phase I/II clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary activity of APX005M in combination with cabiralizumab and Opdivo in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma patients whose disease has progressed on prior anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. [Apexigen] Press Release

Janssen’s Tremfya^® (Guselkumab) Receives Its First Two Positive Health Technology Assessments in Europe

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced that the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published positive guidance for Tremfya^®, following its positive Final Appraisal Determination. This means that adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis will now have access to guselkumab through the National Health Service in England and Wales. [Janssen Global Services, LLC (Bussiness Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

U.S. Legislators Back Larger Facilities Budget for NSF

The National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, is in line for a budget increase of 4% to 5% next year. That assessment is based on bills approved recently by the spending committees in both chambers of Congress. Lawmakers have also signaled support for growing the account that NSF uses to build major new scientific facilities. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

House Bill Gives NIH a 3% Boost in 2019, to $38.3 Billion

A draft bill released by a House of Representatives spending panel would give the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, a $1.25 billion raise in 2019, to $38.3 billion. That is 3% more than this year’s level and $4.1 billion more than President Donald Trump’s administration had requested. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

New Zealand Appoints First Female Chief Scientific Adviser

The New Zealand government has appointed biochemist Juliet Gerrard as its next chief scientific adviser — the first woman to hold the position. [Nature News] Editorial

Why the Medical Research Grant System Could Be Costing Us Great Ideas

The medical research grant system in the United States, run through the National Institutes of Health, is intended to fund work that spurs innovation and fosters research careers. In many ways, it may be failing. [The New York Times] Editorial

NEW 30^th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium
November 13-16, 2018
Dublin, Ireland

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cellular Processes of Cancer (University of Southern California)

Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of San Diego)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Skin Stem Cells & Wound Healing (Johns Hopkins University)

Associate Professor or Professor – Skin Cancer (The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Psoriasis Research (Case Western Reserve University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Skin Cancer Biology (UT Southwestern Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Melanoma (Ghent University)

Faculty Position – Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Seattle Children’s Research Institute)

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

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

Have we missed an important article or publication in Dermal Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.