Dermal Cell News Volume 5.08 | Mar 11 2019

TOP STORY

Targeting of Dermal Myofibroblasts through Death Receptor 5 Arrests Fibrosis in Mouse Models of Scleroderma

Researchers report that TLY012 selectively blocked activation of dermal fibroblasts and induced death receptor (DR)-mediated apoptosis in α-smooth muscle actin positive myofibroblasts through upregulated DR5 during its activation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

LMO7 Deficiency Reveals the Significance of the Cuticular Plate for Hearing Function

Scientists discovered that a hair cell protein called LIM only protein 7 (LMO7) was specifically localized in the cuticular plate and the cell junction. Lmo7 KO mice suffered multiple cuticular plate deficiencies, including reduced filamentous actin density and abnormal stereociliar rootlets. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Sweat Gland Organoids Contribute to Cutaneous Wound Healing and Sweat Gland Regeneration

The epithelial cells derived from sweat glands in dermis of adult mouse paw pads were embedded into Matrigel and formed sweat gland organoids. These organoids maintained remarkable stem cell features and demonstrated differentiation capacity to give rise to either sweat gland cells or epidermal cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Involvement of Autophagy in Hypoxia-BNIP3 Signaling to Promote Epidermal Keratinocyte Migration

Inhibition of autophagy through lysosome-specific chemicals or Atg5-targeted small-interfering RNAs greatly attenuated hypoxia-induced cell migration, and knockdown of BNIP3 in keratinocytes significantly suppressed hypoxia-induced autophagy activation and cell migration, suggesting a positive role of BNIP3-induced autophagy in keratinocyte migration. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Reversal of TET-Mediated 5-hmC Loss in Hypoxic Fibroblasts by Ascorbic Acid

The authors evaluated patient scars for DNA hydroxymethylation (5-hydroxymethylcytosine; 5-hmC) status and documented a significant decrease in scar fibroblasts. To test this finding in vitro, human fibroblasts were cultured with cobalt chloride, a known stimulant of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha. [Lab Invest] Abstract

R. nukuhivensis Acts by Reinforcing Skin Barrier Function, Boosting Skin Immunity and by Inhibiting IL-22 Induced Keratinocyte Hyperproliferation

Investigators aimed at deciphering the impact of Rauvolfia nukuhivensis on skin immune system in context of homeostasis, pathogen infection and inflammation. They showed that R. nukuhivensis enhanced cellular metabolic activity and wound healing without inducing cellular stress or disturbing cellular homeostasis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Hydrangea serrata (Thunb.) Ser. Extract Attenuates UVB-Induced Photoaging through MAPK/AP-1 Inactivation in Human Skin Fibroblasts and Hairless Mice

H. serrata (Thunb.) Ser. recovered ultraviolet B (UVB)-reduced cell viability and ameliorated oxidative stress by inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species generation in Hs68 cells. [Nutrients] Abstract | Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

TAK1 Suppresses RIPK1-Dependent Cell Death and Is Associated with Disease Progression in Melanoma

Investigators report that melanoma cell lines expressing notable amounts of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL, the key players of necroptosis signal transduction, failed to execute necroptotic cell death. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Somatic Hypermutation of the YAP Oncogene in a Human Cutaneous Melanoma

In patient-derived xenografts and melanoma cell lines, researchers observed variable reliance of cell viability on Hippo pathway signaling that was independent of TAZ activity and also of classical melanoma driver mutations such as BRAF and NRAS. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Human Melanoma Brain Metastases Cell Line MUG-Mel1, Isolated Clones and Their Detailed Characterization

Scientists succeeded in establishing a brain melanoma metastasis cell line, namely MUG-Mel1 and two resulting clones D5 and C8 by morphological variety, differences in lipidome, growth behavior, surface, and stem cell markers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Extracellular Matrix News & Cancer Stem Cell News.

Antistreptococcal Interventions for Guttate and Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

The authors assess the effects of antistreptococcal interventions for guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev] Abstract

ΔNp63 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Defining the Oncogenic Routes Affecting Epigenetic Landscape and Tumor Microenvironment

Investigators describe the genetic and epigenetic determinants underlying ΔNp63 oncogenic activities in squamous cell carcinoma, and discuss some relevant transcriptional effectors of ΔNp63, emphasizing their impact in modulating the crosstalk between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment. [Mol Oncol] Abstract | Full Article

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

AVITA Medical Announces Ten RECELL^® System Presentations

AVITA Medical announced the schedule for ten presentations describing clinical and cost-savings advantages of the RECELL^® Autologous Cell Harvesting Device (RECELL^® System) in the treatment of severe burns. [Press release from AVITA Medical Limited discussing research to be presented at the American Burn Association (ABA) Annual Meeting, Las Vegas] Press Release

Immutep Announces Data from Ongoing TACTI-mel Phase I Clinical Trial in Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma

Immutep Limited announced positive, more mature data from its ongoing TACTI-mel Phase I clinical study of the company’s lead product candidate, eftilagimod alpha. [Press release from Immutep Limited discussing research presented at the World Immunotherapy Congress 2019, San Diego] Press Release

Phase II Clinical Trial of Bermekimab Shows Potential New Standard of Care for Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Including Significant Pain Reduction without Antibiotics

XBiotech released findings for its Phase II clinical study for bermekimab. The presentation titled, “Bermekimab Shows Efficacy for Treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), Including Marked Reduction in Pain” was provided by dermatologist Dr. Alice Gottlieb, MD, PhD. [Press release from XBiotech, Inc. discussing research presented at 2019 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

Novartis Cosentyx^® Shows Superior Improvements in Psoriasis Patients’ Quality of Life versus Janssen’s IL-23 Stelara^®

Novartis announced additional results from the head-to-head CLARITY study demonstrating the superiority of Cosentyx^® compared to Stelara^® in delivering specific quality of life aspects in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at 16 weeks. [Press release from Novartis AG discussing research presented at 2019 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

STEMCELL Technologies Wins Deloitte Best Managed Companies Award

STEMCELL Technologies announced that the company has been selected as a winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program for 2019. Canada’s Best Managed Companies is the country’s leading business awards program, recognizing excellence in the management abilities and practices of Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. [STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.] Press Release

AOBiome Doses First Patient in Phase Ib Clinical Trial of B244 for the Treatment of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

AOBiome Therapeutics, Inc. announced the administering of its lead product candidate, B244, to the first patient in the company’s Phase Ib clinical trial to treat pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (eczema). [AOBiome Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Trump Once Again Requests Deep Cuts in US Science Spending

For the third year in a row, President Donald Trump’s administration has unveiled a budget request to Congress that calls for deep spending cuts at many federal science agencies, including a 15% cut for the National Institutes of Health and a 12% cut for the National Science Foundation, while providing hefty increases for the military. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Study Finds Gender Imbalances in First-Time NIH Awards

Women receiving their first research grant from the National Institutes of Health are awarded an average of $39,000 less than men, according to an analysis published March 5 in JAMA. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW 24^th World Congress of Dermatology
June 10-15, 2019
Milan, Italy

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Wound Healing (Karolinska Institutet)

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Molecular Oncology (University of Manchester)

Research Assistant – Burn Research (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Tumor Immunology and Cancer Metabolism (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Wound Healing (University of California, Davis)

PhD Position – Epidermal Tissue Mechanics (Forschungszentrum Jülich)

Faculty Position – Tumor Immunology (The Wistar Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Skin Biology (Skin Science Foundation)

PhD Student – Cancer Research (Luxembourg Institute of Health)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Inner Ear Regeneration (Sunnybrook Research Institute)

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.