Dermal Cell News Volume 5.18 | May 27 2019

TOP STORY

Cellular Rivalry Promotes Healthy Skin Development

Scientists showed that skin cells in mice engaged in two forms of competition, one taking place during early embryonic development and the other occurring just before birth. They believe that this cutthroat cellular conflict is crucial to the cultivation of healthy skin. [Press release from Rockefeller University discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Tubular Cell and Keratinocyte Single-Cell Transcriptomics Applied to Lupus Nephritis Reveal Type I IFN and Fibrosis Relevant Pathways

Type I interferon (IFN)-response signatures in tubular cells and keratinocytes distinguished patients with lupus nephritis from healthy control subjects. Moreover, a high IFN-response signature and fibrotic signature in tubular cells were each associated with failure to respond to treatment. [Nat Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

Resistin-Like Molecule α Provides Vitamin-A-Dependent Antimicrobial Protection in the Skin

Investigators showed that resistin-like molecule α, a small secreted cysteine-rich protein, was expressed by epidermal keratinocytes and sebocytes and served as an antimicrobial protein that was required for vitamin-A-dependent resistance to skin infection. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Innate Lymphocyte-Induced CXCR3B-Mediated Melanocyte Apoptosis Is a Potential Initiator of T-Cell Autoreactivity in Vitiligo

Chemokine-receptor-3 isoform B (CXCR3B) activation by CXCL10 at the surface of cultured human melanocytes induced their apoptosis. The remaining melanocytes, activated by interferon gamma production, expressed co-stimulatory markers which triggered T-cell proliferation and subsequent anti-melanocytic immunity. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Human Skin Equivalents Cultured under Hypoxia Display Enhanced Epidermal Morphogenesis and Lipid Barrier Formation

Fibroblast and keratinocyte monocultures, and human skin equivalents were generated under 20% and 3% oxygen level. In all cultures under hypoxia, expression of hypoxia-inducible factor target genes was increased. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

LNK Suppresses Interferon Signaling in Melanoma

The authors found that LNK was significantly elevated in cutaneous melanoma; this elevation was correlated with hyperactive signaling of the RAS-RAF-MEK pathway. Elevated LNK enhanced cell growth and survival in adverse conditions. [Nat Commun] Full Article

The lncRNA SLNCR Recruits the Androgen Receptor to EGR1-Bound Genes in Melanoma and Inhibits Expression of Tumor Suppressor p21

Researchers showed that androgen receptor and Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1) bound to the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SLNCR and increased melanoma proliferation through coordinated transcriptional regulation of several growth-regulatory genes. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Translation of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) Was Antagonized by Its Circular RNA via Suppressing the Assembly of the Translation Initiation Machinery

Scientists report Yap being negatively regulated by its circular RNA (circYap) through the suppression of the assembly of Yap translation initiation machinery. Overexpression of circYap in cancer cells significantly decreased Yap protein but did not affect its mRNA levels. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

miR-let-7b and miR-let-7c Suppress Tumorigenesis of Human Mucosal Melanoma and Enhance the Sensitivity to Chemotherapy

Overexpression of miR-let-7b or miR-let-7c inhibited mucosal melanoma cell growth, migration, invasion and metastasis and induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-let-7b and miR-let-7c directly targeted metadherin and calumenin and suppressed phospho-ERK in mucosal melanoma cells. [J Exp Clin Cancer Res] Full Article

MALAT1 Regulates miR-34a Expression in Melanoma Cells

Scientists demonstrated that miR-34a was negatively correlated with metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in melanoma cells and tumor specimens. Interestingly, MALAT1, which contained functional sequence-specific miR-34a-binding sites, regulated miR-34a stability in melanoma cells and in vivo. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

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Molecular and Immune Targets for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Therapy and Prevention

The authors discuss both current and investigational immune and molecular targets of therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

A Review of Cutaneous Microdialysis of Inflammatory Dermatoses

Investigators summarize the role of microdialysis of the skin. It is a useful tool to evaluate the skin’s biological processes in both healthy and inflamed skin. [Acta Derm Venereol] Abstract

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

Immunocore to Present New Tebentafusp (IMCgp100) Data in Advanced Melanoma

Immunocore Limited will present new mechanism of action data in advanced uveal and cutaneous melanoma from the tebentafusp clinical research programme. [Press release from Immunocore Limited discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

XBiotech Announces Plan to Launch Randomized Phase IIb Study of Bermekimab in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

XBiotech announced plans to advance its dermatology program for its true human antibody bermekimab with the launch of a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, Phase IIb clinical study in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa. [XBiotech, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Approves SORILUX^® for Adolescent Plaque Psoriasis

Mayne Pharma Group Limited announced that the FDA has approved SORILUX^® foam, 0.005% in adolescents. SORILUX is approved for treating plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body in patients aged 12 years and older. [Mayne Pharma Group Limited] Press Release

Pfizer Announces Positive Top-Line Results from Phase III Study of Investigational Oral JAK1 Candidate, Abrocitinib (PF-04965842), in Patients Aged 12 and Older with Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Pfizer Inc. announced positive top-line results from a Phase III pivotal study evaluating the efficacy and safety of its investigational oral Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, abrocitinib, in patients aged 12 and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. [Pfizer, Inc.] Press Release

Sienna Biopharmaceuticals Announces SNA-120 (0.05%) Biopsy Data Demonstrate Positive Impact on Key Inflammatory Cytokines, Including IL-23 and IL-17, in Psoriasis

Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced biopsy data from its recent Phase IIb clinical trial with SNA-120, the company’s Phase III topical, non-steroidal Tropomyosin receptor kinase A inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of psoriasis. [Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Taiwan Considers Double-Blind Peer Review for Grants

Taiwan’s science ministry is thinking of introducing double-blind peer review to assess research-grant proposals, a trend being adopted by some journals to eliminate bias. [Nature News] Editorial

Brazilian Scientists Strive to Turn Politicians into Allies

Brazil’s scientists are fighting back against President Jair Bolsonaro’s plans to slash funding for research and education programs. Researchers have joined with members of Brazil’s legislature, the National Congress, to highlight the strategic role that science, technology, and education play in the country’s economic and social development. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Cell and Gene: Meeting on the Mesa
October 2-4, 2019
Carlsbad, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis (King’s College London)

NEW Scientist – Dermal Drug Discovery (Healx)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Epigenetics (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Skin Development, Fibrosis, and Wound Healing (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Faculty Positions – Allergy, Rheumatology or Skin Biology (University of Rochester)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Biologist (IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cell Competition (University of Bristol)

Faculty Positions – Skin Cancer (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Molecular Biology & Cancer Research (Augusta University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Biology (University of Miami)

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