Dermal Cell News Volume 4.42 | Dec 17 2018

TOP STORY

MEK Inhibition Enhances Oncolytic Virus Immunotherapy through Increased Tumor Cell Killing and T Cell Activation

Scientists observed that the combination of talimogene laherparepvec and trametinib resulted in enhanced melanoma cell death in vitro. Further, combination treatment resulted in delayed tumor growth and improved survival in mouse models. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Tissue Engineering of Human Hair Follicles Using a Biomimetic Developmental Approach

Researchers demonstrated a biomimetic approach for generation of human hair follicles (HFs) within human skin constructs by recapitulating the physiological 3D organization of cells in the HF microenvironment using 3D-printed molds. [Nat Commun] Full Article

MicroRNA-29b Mediates Fibrotic Induction of Human Xylosyltransferase-I in Human Dermal Fibroblasts via the Sp1 Pathway

Combined results of the target prediction analysis and additional transfection experiments pointed out that microRNA-29b exerted indirect influence on xylosyltransferase-I by targeting the transcription factor specificity protein 1 (Sp1). [Sci Rep] Full Article

In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence of Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity of a Synthesized (Z)-5-(3-Hydroxy-4-Methoxybenzylidene)-2-Thioxothiazolidin-4-One (5-HMT)

Investigators evaluated tyrosinase inhibitory activity of six compounds. Among them, 5-HMT had the greatest inhibitory effect and potency as the IC₅₀ value of 5-HMT was lower than that of kojic acid, a widely-known tyrosinase inhibitor. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Bone Marrow-Derived Epithelial Cells and Hair Follicle Stem Cells Contribute to Development of Chronic Cutaneous Neoplasms

Researchers detected cytokeratin induction in plastic-adherent bone marrow cells cultured in the presence of filter-separated keratinocytes and bone morphogenetic protein 5. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

The Key Role of UVA-Light Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Xeroderma Pigmentosum Variant Cells

Scientists characterized UVA-induced DNA damage and the consequences to xeroderma pigmentosum variant cells, compared to complemented cells. [Free Radic Biol Med] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

ER Stress Promotes Antitumor Effects in BRAFi/MEKi Resistant Human Melanoma Induced by Natural Compound 4-Nerolidylcathecol (4-NC)

4-NC alone or in combination with MAPK inhibitors was cytotoxic, inhibited colony formation and decreased invasiveness in two and three-dimensional cell culture models of treatment-naïve, v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B inhibitor (BRAFi)-resistant and BRAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors double-resistant melanoma cells. [Pharmacol Res] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

1α, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Alters Ectonucleotidase Expression and Activity in Human Cutaneous Melanoma Cells

1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 decreased adenosine monophosphate hydrolysis via ecto-5′-nucleotidase/CD73 and expression of CD73, but did not change NTPDase1/CD39 activity; it increased CD39 expression. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

UV-B-Activated B16 Melanoma Cells or HaCaT Keratinocytes Increase Melanogenesis via ANGPTL2 Induction, an Activity Antagonized by Chrysanthemum Extract

Researchers overexpressed angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) in the melanoma line B16 and in the keratinocyte line HaCaT. Relative to controls, Angptl2-expressing B16 cells produced higher melanin levels via tyrosinase induction. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

Combination of ω-3 Fatty Acids and Cisplatin as a Potential Alternative Strategy for Personalized Therapy of Metastatic Melanoma: An In-Vitro Study

Investigators demonstrated that docosahexenoic acid sensitized cells to cisplatin (CDDP)-induced inhibition of cell growth and migration by reverting CDDP effects on DNA damage and ERCC1 expression, as well as on DUSP6 and p-ERK expression, which regulated ERCC1 activation upwardly. [Melanoma Res] Abstract

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Rational Combination of Cancer Immunotherapy in Melanoma

The authors summarize the rationale to develop combination treatment strategies in melanoma and discuss biological background that could help to design new combinations in order to improve patients’ outcomes. [Virchows Arch] Abstract

The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review

Investigators summarize the role of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, selenium, and zinc, in non-scarring alopecia. [Dermatol Ther] Full Article

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

Pyramid Biosciences Announces Exclusive Global License of AstraZeneca TRK Program for Dermatology and Inflammatory Diseases

Pyramid Biosciences, Inc. announced it has entered into an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with AstraZeneca PLC for the development and commercialization rights to a novel Tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) modulator, PBI-100. [Pyramid Biosciences, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

New Phase III Data Demonstrate Superiority of Guselkumab vs Secukinumab in Delivering PASI 90 Responses in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis at Week 48

Janssen Global Services, LLC announced results from the ECLIPSE study demonstrating that guselkumab was superior to ecukinumab in treating adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis for the primary endpoint assessed at week 48. [Janssen Global Services, LLC] Press Release

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Initiates “DETERMINE” Phase III Study in Dermatomyositis

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. announced the start of the company’s Phase III trial, titled “DETERMINE,” designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of its investigational drug lenabasum for the treatment of dermatomyositis. [Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.] Press Release

Idera Pharmaceuticals Presents Clinical Safety and Efficacy Update from the ILLUMINATE-204 Trial of the Combination of Tilsotolimod and Ipilimumab for Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma Following Failure of PD-1 Inhibitor Treatment

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented data from the ongoing Phase II expansion of the ILLUMINATE-204 trial investigating tilsotolimod, Idera’s intratumorally-delivered toll-like receptor 9 agonist, in combination with ipilimumab. [Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Clears First Xenotransplantation Trial of Skin Cells Derived from Genetically Engineered Pigs

The FDA has cleared XenoTherapeutics to begin a first-of-its-kind human clinical trial that uses topically applied live skin cells derived from genetically engineered pigs as a treatment for severe burns. [XenoTherapeutics (Questex LLC)] Press Release

University of California and Elsevier Locked in Negotiations

The University of California (UC) is pushing back against the publishing giant Elsevier over fees and access to research papers. The UC system’s five-year contract expires on December 31 and it has prepared for faculty and students to lose access to Elsevier’s journals if they don’t reach an agreement in time. [The Scientist] Editorial

South Korean University Delays Vote on Whether to Suspend President

Leaders at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology decided 6-3 to defer a vote on whether to suspend the university’s president Shin Sung-Chul, who has been accused of making illegal payments to a lab in California – allegations that he denies. The board will take the matter up again at its next meeting. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW AACR Annual Meeting 2019
March 29-April 3, 2019
Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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

NEW Professor – Dermatological Oncology (University of Tubingen)

Assistant Professor – Dermatology (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Grant Program – Skin Disease Research (Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Skin Biology (Karolinska Institutet)

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics – Dermatology (Harvard Medical School)

Tenure Faculty – Cancer Biology (University of Chicago)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

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

Senior Researcher – Skin Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Dermatooncology (German Cancer Research Center)

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