Extracellular Matrix News Volume 1.24 | Oct 14 2010

Epigenetic Histone Methylation Modulates Fibrotic Gene Expression  
Results show the functional role of epigenetic chromatin histone H3 lysine methylation in TGF-beta1-mediated extracellular matrix gene expression in mesangial cells under normal and high-glucose conditions. [ J Am Soc Nephrol]

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Holding on to Cells with DNA
Researchers designed pieces of DNA that self-assemble into thick long strands four double helices across that structurally resemble the protein fibers of the natural extracellular matrix. [Press release from ScienceBlogs discussing online prepublication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society]

A Crosstalk Between Beta1 and Beta3 Integrins Controls Glycine Receptor and Gephyrin Trafficking at Synapses
Beta1 and beta3 integrins crosstalked via calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and adapted glycine receptor lateral diffusion and gephyrin-dependent trapping at synapses. This provides a mechanism for maintaining or adjusting the steady state of postsynaptic molecule exchanges and the level of glycinergic inhibition in response to neuron- and glia-derived signals or extracellular matrix remodeling. [Nat Neurosci]

A Structurally Tunable DNA-Based Extracellular Matrix
The principles of DNA nanotechnology and protein engineering have been combined to generate a new class of artificial extracellular matrices. The potential of this material for ex vivo cellular scaffolding was demonstrated using experiments in which human cervical cancer cells were found to adhere strongly, stay alive, and grow with high migration rates. [J Am Chem Soc]

Synthesis and Biological Activities of a Library of Glycosaminoglycans Mimetic Oligosaccharides
Heparan mimetics (HMs) have shown to stimulate tissue repair in various animal models. Here, researchers use different methods to depolymerize HMs in order to produce a library of related oligosaccharides and study their biological activities. [Biomaterials]

Implantable Arterial Grafts from Human Fibroblasts and Fibrin Using a Multi-Graft Pulsed Flow-Stretch Bioreactor with Noninvasive Strength Monitoring
After 7-9 weeks of bioreactor culture, fibrin-based grafts were extensively remodeled by the fibroblasts into circumferentially-aligned tubes of collagen and other extracellular matrix with burst pressures in the range of 1400-1600 mmHg and compliance comparable to native arteries. [Biomaterials]

Regeneration of Full-Thickness Abdominal Wall Defects in Rats Using Collagen Scaffolds Loaded with Collagen-Binding Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor
The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new composite biomaterial for reconstruction of a 2 × 2.5 cm full-thickness abdominal wall defect. The collagen membrane was activated with the engineered human basic fibroblast growth factor. [Biomaterials]

Zona Occludens Proteins Modulate Podosome Formation and Function
Findings demonstrate that besides their known function in tight junction assembly and intercellular communication, zona occludens proteins and their binding partners may play a novel role in podosome formation and associated function, thus regulating cell adhesion and matrix remodeling. [FASEB J]

Matrix Stiffness Regulation of Integrin-Mediated Mechanotransduction During Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Results provides evidence that matrix rigidity affects the osteogenic outcome of mesenchymal stem cells through mechano-transduction events that are mediated by alpha2 integrin. [J Bone Miner Res]

Fibronectin Increases the Force Production of Mouse Papillary Muscles via Alpha5Beta1 Integrin
Researchers hypothesize that extracellular matrix proteins can regulate cardiac function through integrin binding, and thereby alter the intracellular calcium concentration and/or modulate myofilament activation processes. [J Mol Cell Cardiol]

Direct Comparisons of the Morphology, Migration, Cell Adhesions, and Actin Cytoskeleton of Fibroblasts in Four Different Three-Dimensional Extracellular Matrices
Researchers compared cell behavior in four types of commonly used extracellular matrix under 2D and 3D conditions. Specifically, they quantified parameters of cell adhesion and migration by human foreskin fibroblasts in cell-derived matrix or hydrogels of collagen type I, fibrin, or basement membrane extract. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Optimization of an In Vitro Three-Dimensional Microenvironment to Reprogram Synovium-Derived Stem Cells for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Researchers hypothesized that the in vitro stem cell microenvironment can be optimized by modulating oxygen tension and mitotic signal in a tissue-specific extracellular matrix deposited by synovium-derived stem cells (SDSCs) to rejuvenate expanded SDSC proliferation and chondrogenic potential. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Synergistic Angiogenesis Promoting Effects of Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells During Wound Repair
The aim of this study was to promote the vascularization capacities of scaffolds by seeding adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on them and to compare the vascularization capacities of different scaffolds seeded with ADSCs. Two kinds of extracellular matrix scaffolds (small intestinal submucosa and acellular dermal matrix) and a kind of composite scaffold (collagen-chondroitin sulfate-hyaluronic acid) were selected. [Tissue Eng Part A]

STEMSOFT Connect – A Simplified Solution to a Complex Problem
STEMSOFT is pleased to announce the release of their new standard interfaces, STEMSOFT Connect™.  STEMSOFT Connect offers standard interface tools that easily connect commonly used applications and devices to STEMSOFT’s applications. [STEMSOFT Software Inc. Press Release]

Genzyme Board Unanimously Rejects Sanofi-Aventis Tender Offer
Genzyme Corporation announced that its board of directors has voted unanimously to reject the unsolicited $69.00 per share tender offer from Sanofi-Aventis, and the board recommends that Genzyme shareholders not tender their shares to Sanofi-Aventis pursuant to the offer. [Genzyme Corporation Press Release]

American Cancer Society Awards New Research and Training Grants
The American Cancer Society has awarded 94 national research and training grants totaling $46,633,000 to 70 institutions nationwide in the first of two grants cycles for 2011. [American Cancer Society Press Release]

Collagen Matrix, Inc. Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for New Collagen Dental Membrane Based on Porcine Collagen Platform Technology
Collagen Matrix, Inc., the leader in collagen- and mineral-based matrix engineering, announced that it has received FDA’s 510(k) clearance of a new Collagen Dental Membrane derived from porcine dermis indicated for use in oral surgical procedures involving guided tissue and bone regeneration. [PR Newswire]

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Complete Response Letter Regarding JZP-6 for Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent the company a complete response letter regarding the company’s New Drug Application for JZP-6 (sodium oxybate) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. [Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]

MoMelan Moves Skin Graft Device Toward Commercialization
MoMelan Technologies is hurtling towards commercialization of a device designed to stretch skin — improving the cost, time and patient experience of skin graft procedures. [Mass High Tech]

LifeCell™ Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix Demonstrates High Success Rate in Treating Complex Ventral Hernias in Landmark Study
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced 12-month interim results from the ongoing study: Strattice™ Repair of Infected or Contaminated Abdominal Incisional Hernias. [Kinetic Concepts Inc. Press Release]

Biomerix Granted U.S. Patent for Its Proprietary Biomaterial Platform Technology
Biomerix Corporation announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent for its proprietary biomaterial platform technology titled “Reticulated elastomeric matrices, their manufacture and use in implantable devices.” [PR Newswire]

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Issuance of Patent for Clostridial Collagenase
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No. 7,811,560 claiming, among other things, purified collagenase, the active component in Auxilium’s product XIAFLEX® (collagenase clostridium histolyticum). [Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release]

Cook Biotech and Purdue Research Foundation Prevail Against Patent Challenge from Distributor of ACell Products in Europe
A ruling against ScanVet Inc. in a patent challenge initiated in Denmark is now final and non-appealable. The challenge involved a European tissue graft patent granted to Purdue Research Foundation and exclusively licensed to Cook Biotech Inc. [Purdue Research Foundation Press Release]

Halozyme Therapeutics Announces Implementation of Development Focused Strategy
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products targeting the extracellular matrix, announced a focusing of its resources on advancing its core proprietary programs through key clinical inflection points in 2011 and 2012, and supporting strategic alliances with Roche and Baxter such as validation of Halozyme’s commercial scale manufacturing process to produce kilogram quantities of enzyme. [Halozyme Therapeutics Press Release]

FDA’s $25 Million Pitch for Improving Drug Regulation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pressing for a big funding boost for “regulatory science”-research that can help it evaluate new treatments better and faster. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

IQWiG: Law Must Prescribe Obligation to Publish All Clinical Trials
If the currently discussed draft on the “Law on the Reorganization of the Pharmaceutical Market” (AMNOG) is implemented, drug manufacturers will in future have to register their clinical trials at inception and publish results after completion. [Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Germany]

Proposed Collection; Comment Request; National Evaluation of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Initiative (FR Doc. 2010-25589) [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]

Draft Guidance for Industry: Early Clinical Trials With Live Biotherapeutic Products: Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control Information; Availability (FR Doc. 2010-25850) [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
 
Draft Guidance for Industry on Investigational New Drug Applications–Determining Whether Human Research Studies Can Be Conducted Without an Investigational New Drug Application; Availability (FR Doc. 2010-25851) [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

Agency Information Collection Request. 30-Day Public Comment Request (FR Doc. 2010-25587) [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]
 
National Human Genome Research Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25634) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-25595) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-25597) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25598) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25601) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25636) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-25640) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

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