Dermal Cell News Volume 4.38 | Nov 19 2018

TOP STORY

Skin Ages When the Main Cells in the Dermis Lose Their Identity and Function

A study published by scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine and the Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico of the Centre for Genomic Regulation explains how dermal fibroblasts age. The main conclusion drawn is that these fibroblasts lose their cell identity, as if they had “forgotten” what they are, and consequently their activity is altered, thus affecting tissue. [Press release from Centre for Genomic Regulation discussing online prepublication in Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Mammalian Pigmentation Is Regulated by a Distinct cAMP-Dependent Mechanism That Controls Melanosome pH

Researchers showed that inhibition of soluble adenylyl cyclase controlled pigmentation by increasing the pH of melanosomes both in cells and in vivo. [Sci Signal] Full Article

Perfusable and Stretchable 3D Culture System for Skin-Equivalent

The epidermal layer became thicker and more differentiated than that cultured without the stretching stimuli or under statically-stretched conditions, and the dermal layer was more densely populated with dermal fibroblasts than that cultured without perfusion due to the nutrient and oxygen supply by perfusion via the vascular channels. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Single Cell Proteomics Reveals the Dynamics of BMP Pathway Activation during Epidermal Differentiation, Which Stimulates the MAF/MAFB/ZNF750-Axis

Investigators developed single-cell ID-seq and simultaneously measured 69 proteins at single-cell resolution to study the activation state of signaling pathways during human epidermal differentiation. [iScience] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-GGNle-CycMSH_hex Targets the Melanocortin-1 Receptor for Melanoma Imaging

Investigators evaluated the melanocortin-1 receptor targeting and specificity of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-GGNle-CycMSH_hex and Cy5.5-GGNle-CycMSH_hex using murine and human melanoma cells, and murine and xenografted tumors. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Sustained Activation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Transcription Factor Promotes Resistance to BRAF-Inhibitors in Melanoma

Scientists demonstrated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor transcription factor was constitutively activated in a subset of melanoma cells, promoting the dedifferentiation of melanoma cells and the expression of BRAFi-resistance genes. [Nat Commun] Full Article

BRAF Splice Variant Resistance to RAF Inhibitor Requires Enhanced MEK Association

Researchers uncoupled BRAF V600E isoforms (BRAF V600E ΔEx) dimerization from maintenance of MEK-ERK1/2 signaling. They showed that BRAF V600E ΔEx association with its substrate, MEK, was enhanced and required for RAF inhibitor resistance [Cell Rep] Full Article | Editorial | Graphical Abstract

Assessment of Fibroblast Nuclear Morphology Aids Interpretation of LMNA Variants

Investigators used lamin A/C (LMNA) immunostaining and nuclear DAPI staining to assess the number and type of nuclear abnormalities in primary dermal fibroblast cultures of laminopathy patients and healthy controls. [Eur J Hum Genet] Abstract

Participation of xCT in Melanoma Cell Proliferation In Vitro and Tumorigenesis In Vivo

To investigate if xCT was involved in melanoma cell growth, researchers derived several stable clones through transfection of exogenous xCT to melanoma cells that originally showed very low expression of xCT. The elevated xCT expression promoted cell proliferation in vitro and inversely, these melanoma clones showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation in response to riluzole treatment. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

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The Immunological Anatomy of the Skin

Investigators provide an overview of the key findings and concepts of cutaneous immunity in association with skin anatomy and discuss how cutaneous immune cells fine-tune physiological responses in the skin. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract

The Epithelial Immune Microenvironment (EIME) in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis

The authors discuss the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis in terms of the epithelial immune microenvironment – the microbiota, keratinocytes and sensory nerves – and the resulting inflammatory loops. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

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

Data from University of Pittsburgh on INB03^™ for Treatment of Melanoma Presented

INmune Bio, Inc. announced that Lazar Vujanovic, PhD, a research instructor at the University of Pittsburgh, presented results from a preliminary study. The results of the research conducted at the University of Pittsburgh, demonstrated the potential effectiveness of INB03^™, the company’s lead drug candidate in treatment of drug-resistant melanoma. [Press release from INmune Bio, Inc. discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 33rd Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.] Press Release

Iovance Biotherapeutics Announces Updated Phase II Clinical Data from the Lifileucel Metastatic Melanoma Trial

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced a presentation of new data from the ongoing Phase II lifileucel metastatic melanoma trial. [Press release from Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 33rd Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.] Press Release

Infinity Reports Clinical and Translational Data from Expansion Cohorts of MARIO-1 Phase Ib Study of IPI-549 in Combination with Opdivo^® (Nivolumab)

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that data demonstrated preliminary evidence that IPI-549 in combination with nivolumab is clinically active in indications not expected to respond to nivolumab alone. [Press release from Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 33rd Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.] Press Release

Nektar Therapeutics Presents New Clinical and Preclinical Data for its Immuno-Oncology Pipeline

New clinical study results from the PIVOT-02 Phase I/II study were shared in an oral presentation titled, ‘Immune monitoring after NKTR-214 plus nivolumab (PIVOT-02) in previously untreated patients with metastatic Stage IV melanoma.’ [Press release from Nektar Therapeutics discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 33rd Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.] Press Release

Bausch Health Announces U.S. Launch of BRYHALI^™ (Halobetasol Propionate) Lotion, 0.01%, for Plaque Psoriasis in Adults

Bausch Health Companies Inc. and its dermatology business, Ortho Dermatologics, announced it expects to start distribution of halobetsasol propionate lotion, 0.01%, to U.S. wholesale pharmaceutical distributors later this month. [Bausch Health Companies Inc.] Press Release

SpinalCyte Announces Sustained 12-Month MRI Outcomes After CybroCell^™ Injection

SpinalCyte, LLC announced that a single injection of modified human dermal fibroblasts resulted in significant improvements of disc height and pain reduction 12 months after injection of the cell therapy for patients with degenerative disc disease. [SpinalCyte, LLC] Press Release

When Melanoma Spreads to the Brain, Patients with BRAF or MEK Mutations Can Find Novel Treatment at UA Cancer Center

In partnership with Spirita Oncology, LLC, Dr. Babiker and the Early Phase Clinical Trials Program have opened a clinical trial for patients with brain metastases from BRAF- or MEK-mutated melanoma. Participants will receive an investigational MEK inhibitor called E6201, a “targeted” drug. [The University of Arizona] Press Release

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals Provides Drug Development Update for Immuno-Dermatology Asset PH-10

Provectus provided an update on the company’s small molecule clinical development program for its investigational immuno-dermatology drug PH-10 for the treatments of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. [Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Palvella Therapeutics Announces FDA Fast Track Designation for PTX-022 for Treatment of Pachyonychia Congenita

Palvella Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for its lead product candidate PTX-022 for the treatment of pachyonychia congenita. [Palvella Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

US FDA Awards Certara’s Simcyp Division Two New Dermal Virtual Bioequivalence Grants

This grant will fund enhancements to Certara, L.P.’s physiologically-based pharmacokinetic multi-phase, multi-layer MechDermA skin model to include the quantitative description of disease-triggered histological and functional modifications to the skin. [Certara, L.P.] Press Release

Duke University to Settle Case Alleging Researchers Used Fraudulent Data to Win Millions in Grants

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, is on the verge of settling a case brought by a former employee who claims the university included faked data in applications and reports for federal grants worth nearly $200 million. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

French Science Behemoth Launches Research-Integrity Office

France’s national research center, the CNRS, has announced plans to create its first office of research integrity to investigate scientific misconduct and promote good research practice. [Nature News] Editorial

In Reversal, NSF Lifts Proposal Limits on Biologists

In a reversal, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will no longer restrict researchers to only one proposal submission per year to the biology directorate’s three core tracks in which they are listed as a principal investigator (PI) or co-PI. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Skin Health and Disease: Immune, Epithelial and Microbiome Crosstalk
April 8-11, 2019
Hannover, Germany

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Skin Epithelial Stem Cells (University of Michigan)

NEW Senior Researcher – Skin Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Nanomedicine and Biomedical Engineering (University of British Columbia)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Chemical Biology (University of Dundee)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Protein Characterization (Aarhus University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Dermatooncology (German Cancer Research Center)

Professorship – Emphasis on Dermato-Oncology (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Wound Healing (Louisiana State University)

Tenure Track Group Leader – Mechanisms in Multicellularity or Tissue Regulation (Friedrich Miescher Institure for Biomedical Research)

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

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