Dermal Cell News Volume 5.04 | Feb 4 2019

TOP STORY

Immune Cells Found as Accomplices in Melanoma Spread

A new study published in Cell has revealed that aggressive melanoma cells are able to manipulate the immune system to their advantage. As a result, immune cells that are supposed to recognize and destroy cancer cells actually behave differently and support the growth and spread of the tumor. [Press release from Barts Cancer Institute discussing online prepublication in Cell] Press Release | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Elevated Local Senescence in Diabetic Wound Healing Is Linked to Pathological Repair via CXCR2

Targeted expression of CXCR2 in primary human dermal fibroblasts led to paracrine induction of nuclear p21. Further, a selective agonist to CXCR2 was able to reverse delayed healing in diabetic mice and accelerate ex vivo human skin wound healing. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Patterning of Human Epidermal Stem Cells on Undulating Elastomer Substrates Reflects Differences in Cell Stiffness

When primary human epidermal keratinocytes were seeded on collagen-coated polydimethylsiloxane elastomer substrates that mimicked the epidermal-dermal interface, the stem cells became patterned by 24 hours, resembling their organization in living skin. [Acta Biomater] Full Article | Graphical Abtract

Hypoxia Improves Hair Inductivity of Dermal Papilla Cells via Nuclear NADPH Oxidase 4-Mediated Reactive Oxygen Species Generation

Scientists investigated the mitogenic and hair inductive effects of hypoxia on dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and examined the underlying mechanism of hypoxia-induced stimulation of DPCs. [Br J Dermatol] Abstract

Shedding Light on the Effects of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ on Epidermal Lipid Barrier Formation in Three-Dimensional Human Skin Equivalents

Addition of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ resulted in activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling pathway by inducing transcription of VDR target genes in keratinocyte monocultures and in human skin equivalents. [J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Pharmacological Targeting of STK19 Inhibits Oncogenic NRAS-Driven Melanomagenesis

Researchers developed ZT-12-037-01 as a specific STK19-targeted inhibitor and showed that it effectively blocked oncogenic NRAS-driven melanocyte malignant transformation and melanoma growth in vitro and in vivo. [Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

IL-33/Regulatory T Cell Axis Triggers the Development of a Tumor-Promoting Immune Environment in Chronic Inflammation

Epidermis-derived interleukin (IL)-33 up-regulation and its induction of regulatory T cell accumulation in the skin preceded the transition from acute to chronic allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and triggered the tumor-promoting immune environment in chronic ACD. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

An Actionable Axis Linking NFATc2 to EZH2 Controls the EMT-Like Program of Melanoma Cells

Inhibition of c-Myc, or FOXM1, or EZH2 downregulated EMT-related gene expression, upregulated MITF and suppressed migratory and invasive activity of neoplastic cells. Stable silencing of NFATc2 impaired melanoma cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo in SCID mice. [Oncogene] Full Article

Epigenetic Regulation of iASPP-p63 Feedback Loop in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Expression patterns, functionality, gene and microRNA expression analysis were investigated in ten cutaneous squamous (cSCC) cell lines. Data suggested that whilst direct effects of iASPP and p63 upon each other’s expression were maintained in cSCC, epigenetic dysregulation of the feedback loop occurred at the microRNA level by a previously unreported mechanism controlling p63 expression. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Ghrelin Protects against Contact Dermatitis and Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Antagonizing TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling Pathways

The authors investigated the expression pattern and therapeutic effect of ghrelin in both contact dermatitis and psoriasis mouse models induced by oxazolone and imiquimod, respectively, and in TNF-α-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, NHEKs and skin fibroblasts. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Interleukin-13 Receptor α2 Is a Novel Marker and Potential Therapeutic Target for Human Melanoma

While interleukin-13 receptor α2 expression in human melanoma cells decreased their proliferation in vitro, it promoted in vivo tumor growth and angiogenesis in a melanoma xenograft mouse model. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Immune Therapy of Melanoma: Overview of Therapeutic Vaccines

The authors present recent progressions in melanoma immunotherapy, especially dendritic cell mRNA vaccines, by reviewing recent literature. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

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

Athenex Announces Late-Breaking Oral Presentation of KX2-391 Ointment in Two Phase III Studies

Athenex, Inc. announced that an abstract reporting the results from two Phase III studies of KX2-391 ointment in the treatment of actinic keratosis has been accepted. [Press release from Athenex, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium: New Data to be Presented on Preclinical and Clinical Use of SkinTE™

PolarityTE, Inc. announced that new data on the preclinical and clinical use of its SkinTE™ product, a first-of-its-kind autologous, homologous human cellular and tissue-based product designed to regenerate full-thickness, functional skin for skin repair, reconstruction and replacement, will be presented. [Press release from PolarityTE, Inc. discussing research to be presented at 41^st Annual Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium, Wailea] Press Release

Menlo Therapeutics Announces Late-Breaking Oral Presentation

Menlo Therapeutics Inc. announced that an abstract on results from the Phase II clinical trial of serlopitant to treat pruritus with psoriasis has been accepted. [Press release from Menlo Therapeutics Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Dr. Eric Simpson to Present Bermekimab Results in Atopic Dermatitis

XBiotech announced that findings from its open label, multicenter study using bermekimab to treat patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis will be presented. [Press release from XBiotech Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Lilly Announces Top-Line Phase III Results for Baricitinib in Patients with Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Eli Lilly and Company and Incyte Corporation announced that baricitinib met the primary endpoint in BREEZE-AD1 and BREEZE-AD2, two Phase III studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of baricitinib monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. [Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

Crescita Therapeutics Inc.™ and Tetra Natural Health Collaborate to Enhance Transdermal Delivery of Beta-Caryophyllene in Tetra’s Dermatology Product Portfolio

Crescita Therapeutics Inc. and Tetra Natural Health announced an agreement to develop an enhanced version of Tetra’s dermatology portfolio using Crescita’s patented transdermal delivery technologies: Multiplexed Molecular Penetration Enhancer and DuraPeel™. [Crescita Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

OncoSec Provides KEYNOTE-695 Clinical Update and Outlines 2019 Milestones

OncoSec Medical Incorporated provided a clinical data update regarding KEYNOTE-695, as well as progress of its ongoing clinical development efforts and its outlook for 2019. [OncoSec Medical Incorporated] Press Release

OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. Reports Positive Safety Data From Phase I (Safety) Clinical Trial for Medical Grade Cannabis Ointment for Treatment of Skin Diseases

OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. reported positive Phase I safety data for its medical grade cannabis MSG ointment for the treatment of skin diseases. No severe adverse events were observed in the trial. The company is on track to initiate a Phase II trial of MSG ointment for the treatment of psoriasis during the third quarter 2019. [OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Processa Pharmaceuticals Announces First Patient Dosed in Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of PCS-499 for the Treatment of Necrobiosis Lipoidica

Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the dosing of the first patient in the Phase II Necrobiosis Lipoidica clinical trial for PCS-499 – which is taking place at two sites: University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. [Processa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Allakos Announces Positive Phase II Results in Patients with Cholinergic Urticaria and Symptomatic Dermographism

Allakos Inc. announced positive Phase II results from two additional chronic urticaria cohorts: patients with cholinergic urticaria and symptomatic dermographism. [Allakos Inc.] Press Release

After Shutdown, NSF Catching Up on Review Panels, Funding Requests

When the US government was partially shut down for 35 days starting December 22, work at several government agencies ground to a halt, with a total of 800,000 federal employees furloughed. The National Science Foundation (NSF), one of the sidelined science agencies, is now addressing all that went undone during that time, NSF officials told reporters. [The Scientist] Editorial

Rookies Lead the Way on House Science Panel

A major perk of being the majority party in the US Congress is getting to fill the leadership slots on every committee. For several new Democratic legislators, however, having their party regain control of the House of Representatives also creates an unprecedented opportunity to shape US science policy. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Indian Government to Boost Stipend for Early-Career Scientists

The Indian government announced last week that it will increase the stipend for PhD students who have qualified for a research fellowship by up to 25%. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Barrier Function of Mammalian Skin
August 11-16, 2019
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, United States

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

NEW PhD Student Position – Immune Cell Communication (Universitätsmedizin Göttingen)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Skin Biology (Skin Science Foundation)

NEW Research Fellowship – Cancer Biology (University of Dundee)

PhD Student – Cancer Research (Luxembourg Institute of Health)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Inner Ear Regeneration (Sunnybrook Research Institute)

Research Associate – Cell Competition (University of Bristol)

Postdoctoral Associate – Pathology (Stony Brook University)

Research Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position – Pluripotent Stem Cells (I-STEM)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

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