Dermal Cell News Volume 5.22 | Jun 24 2019

TOP STORY

Epigenetic Activation and Memory at a TGFB2 Enhancer in Systemic Sclerosis

Chromatin accessibility and transcriptome profiling coupled with targeted epigenetic editing revealed constitutive activation of a previously unannotated transforming growth factor-β2 (TGFB2) enhancer maintained through epigenetic memory in systemic sclerosis. [Sci Transl Med] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Stimulation of Hair Growth by Small Molecules That Activate Autophagy

Scientists report that quiescent hair follicles could be stimulated to initiate anagen and hair growth by small molecules that activated autophagy, including the metabolites α-ketoglutarate and α-ketobutyrate, and the prescription drugs rapamycin and metformin, which impinged on mTOR and AMPK signaling. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Progressive Expression of PPARGC1α Is Associated with Hair Miniaturization in Androgenetic Alopecia

Researchers demonstrated the concurrent up-regulation of PPARGC1a in the epithelial compartment and androgen receptor in the dermal papilla of miniaturized hair. Dynamic Ppargc1a expression in the mouse hair cycle suggested a possible role in regulating hair growth and differentiation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Conversion of Human and Mouse Fibroblasts into Lung-Like Epithelial Cells

Investigators showed that transient transduction of fibroblasts with four reprogramming factors in addition to the early lung transcription factor Nkx2-1, followed by directed differentiation of the cells, could convert mouse embryonic and human adult dermal fibroblasts into induced lung-like epithelial cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Fcmr Regulates Mononuclear Phagocyte Control of Anti-Tumor Immunity

In a syngeneic melanoma model, Fcmr ablation in myeloid cells suppressed tumor growth and extended mouse survival. Fcmr deficiency increased myeloid cell population density in this malignancy and enhanced anti-tumor immunity. [Nat Commun] Full Article

The X-Linked DDX3X RNA Helicase Dictates Translation Reprogramming and Metastasis in Melanoma

Through an unbiased analysis of translating ribosomes, researchers identified the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, MITF, as a key DDX3X translational target that directed a proliferative-to-metastatic phenotypic switch in melanoma cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Targeting the H3K4 Demethylase KDM5B Reprograms the Metabolome and Phenotype of Melanoma Cells

Functionally, overexpression of KDM5B in melanoma cells led to broadening of their oxidative metabolism from mainly glutamine-dependent to additionally glucose- and fatty acid-utilizing, upregulation of the pentose phosphate pathway as a source of anti-oxidant NADPH, and maintenance of a high GSH/GSSG ratio. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

MiR-126-3p Down-Regulation Contributes to Dabrafenib Acquired Resistance in Melanoma by Up-Regulating ADAM9 and VEGF-A

MiR-126-3p was significantly down-regulated in dabrafenib-resistant sublines as compared with their parental counterparts. MiR-126-3p replacement in drug-resistant cells inhibited proliferation, cell cycle progression, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and/or AKT, invasiveness, VEGF-A and ADAM9 expression, and increased dabrafenib sensitivity. [J Exp Clin Cancer Res] Full Article

Discovery of Potent Necroptosis Inhibitors Targeting RIPK1 Kinase Activity for the Treatment of Inflammatory Disorder and Cancer Metastasis

Investigators discovered the small-molecule PK6 and its derivatives as a novel class of necroptosis inhibitors that directly blocked the kinase activity of receptor-interacting kinase 1 (RIPK1). [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Editing the Immunopeptidome of Melanoma Cells Using a Potent Inhibitor of Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1)

Scientists treated A375 melanoma cells with a recently developed potent ER aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) inhibitor and analyzed the presented MHC class I molecule (MHC-I) peptide repertoire by isolating MHC-I, eluting bound peptides, and identifying them using capillary chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract

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

Emerging and Innovative Approaches for Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: Current Status and Advances

The authors review various design considerations for skin repair and impact of several smart technologies viz., in situ 3D printing, portable bioprinters, electrosprayers and in situ forming hydrogels that have significantly improved wound healing and skin therapeutics. [Biomaterials] Abstract

The Molecular Clock in the Skin, Its Functionality, and How It Is Disrupted in Cutaneous Melanoma: A New Pharmacological Target?

Investigators review the current knowledge regarding which stimuli affect the molecular clock of the skin, the consequences to skin-related biological processes and, based on such knowledge, they suggest some therapeutic targets. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

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

Krystal Biotech Announces Positive Results from Phase II Clinical Trial (“GEM-2 study”) of KB103 and Receives Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (“RMAT”) Designation from FDA for KB103

Krystal Biotech, Inc. announced positive results from its Phase II placebo-controlled clinical trial of KB103 study and an update on results from Phase I study. [Krystal Biotech, Inc.] Press Release

L’Oréal Rewards Social Initiatives Led by Dermatologists at World Congress of Dermatology in Milan

In partnership with the International League of Dermatological Societies and the 24^th World Congress of Dermatology (WCD), L’Oréal announced the laureates of the third International Awards for Social Responsibility in Dermatology. [L’Oréal] Press Release

UK’s Leading Mouse Genetics Center Faces Closure

Britain’s leading center for mouse genetics is facing closure in a move that critics say will undermine crucial research on serious diseases and threaten the standing of UK science. The Medical Research Council has told staff at its Harwell Institute in Oxfordshire that an internal strategy board recommended the closure of all academic work at the site, threatening research on diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, child deafness and other conditions. [The Guardian] Editorial

House Panel Clarifies How Universities Would Report Sexual Harassment Cases to US Funders

New rules from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on reporting sexual harassment by someone with an NSF grant raise questions about due process, university administrators say. A key congressional panel took those concerns to heart by modifying language in a bill that would require the administration to write guidelines applying to half a dozen major federal research agencies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 5^th Canadian Cancer Research Conference
November 3-5, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellowships – Tissue Engineering (University of Oslo)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Drug Response Research (University of Texas at Austin)

Research Lab Specialist – Tumor Microenvironment & Cell Behavior (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Fellow or PhD Student – Cell and Developmental Biology (University of Geneva)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Epithelial Growth in Development and Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Fellowship – Melanoma (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Epigenetics (Harvard University)

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

Faculty Positions – Skin Cancer (Columbia University)

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.