Extracellular Matrix News Volume 1.28 | Nov 18 2010

Bioengineers Provide Adult Stem Cells with Friendly Environment: Simultaneous Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Cues  
Bioengineers have achieved the “Triple Crown” of stem cell culture — they created an artificial environment for stem cells that simultaneously provides the chemical, mechanical and electrical cues necessary for stem cell growth and differentiation. [Press release from the University of California, San Diego discussing online prepublication in Advanced Functional Materials]

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Embryonic Stem Cell Culturing Grows from Art to Science
A team of researchers reports the development of a fully defined culture system that promises a more uniform and, for cells destined for therapy, safer product. [Press release from the University of Wisconsin-Madison discussing online prepublication in Nature Methods]

Anti-Wrinkle Cream Could Hold Key to Tissue Growth
A researcher investigated the peptide amphiphile (PA) found in Matrixyl, an ingredient used in anti-aging creams, and found that the PA contains a dense network of fine fibers that can act as an excellent scaffold for collagen to adhere to. [Press release from discussing online prepublication in Chemical Communications]
 
Organs Made from Scratch
Growing living tissue and organs in the lab would be a life-saving trick. Researchers have taken a step toward this goal by coming up with a way to make “building blocks” containing different kinds of tissue that can be put together. [MIT Technology Review]

A Defined Glycosaminoglycan-Binding Substratum for Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Results indicate that synthetic substrates that recognize cell-surface glycans can facilitate the long-term culture of pluripotent stem cells. [Nat Methods]
 
Extracellular Matrix Production by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Implications for Heart Valve Tissue Engineering
Researchers evaluated human adipose-derived stem cells as a source of cells for heart valve tissue engineering, investigating their ability to synthesize and process collagen and elastin. [Biomaterials]

High-Density Collagen Gel Tubes as a Matrix for Primary Human Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells
Researchers have developed a method to produce tubular-shaped collagen scaffolds based on plastic compression. [Biomaterials]

The Influence of Scaffold Architecture on Chondrocyte Distribution and Behavior in Matrix-Associated Chondrocyte Transplantation Grafts
Researchers compared the morphology of four different cell-graft systems applied in clinical cartilage regeneration in vitro and analyzed the cell distribution (DAPI nuclei staining) and cell-scaffold interaction. [Biomaterials]

The Role of Collagen Receptors Endo180 and DDR-2 in the Foreign Body Reaction Against Non-Crosslinked Collagen and Gelatin
Researchers conclude that the physical state of collagen (native or denatured) had a dramatic outcome on the degradation rate of collagen-derived scaffolds and provoked a completely different foreign body reaction. [Biomaterials]

Dynamic Electromechanical Hydrogel Matrices for Stem Cell Culture
Researchers report the development of hydrogel based multifunctional matrices that not only provide three-dimensional structural support to the embedded cells but also can simultaneously provide potentially beneficial dynamic mechanical and electrical cues to the cells. [Adv Funct Mater]
 
Controlled Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Breast Cancer Tumors Improves Therapy by Trastuzumab
In immunohistochemical studies of tumor sections from breast cancer patients and xenografts, researchers observed colocalization of extracellular matrix proteins and Her2/neu, a tumor-associated antigen that is the target for the widely used monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin). [Mol Ther]

Fibrillar Superstructure from Extended Nanotapes Formed by a Collagen-Stimulating Peptide
The nanostructure of a peptide amphiphile in commercial use in anti-wrinkle creams is investigated. The peptide contains a matrikine, collagen-stimulating, pentapeptide sequence. Self-assembly into giant nanotapes is observed and the internal structure was found to comprise bilayers parallel to the flat tape surfaces. [Chem Commun]
 
Inhibition of Proprotein Convertase SKI-1 Blocks Transcription of Key Extracellular Matrix Genes Regulating Osteoblastic Mineralization
Results indicate that the differentiated phenotype of osteoblastic cells, and possibly osteocytes, depends upon the non-apoptotic actions of SKI-1 (site 1; subtilisin kexin like-1). [J Biol Chem]

Fibroblast Populated Collagen Matrix Promotes Islet Survival and Reduces the Number of Islets Required for Diabetes Reversal
Investigators developed a fibroblast populated collagen matrix as a novel scaffold to improve islet cell viability and function post-transplantation. [J Cell Physiol]

Kensey Nash and Arthrex Announce European Distribution Agreement for the Cartilage Repair Device
Kensey Nash Corporation and Arthrex, Inc. jointly announced an agreement for the European distribution of Kensey Nash’s unique Cartilage Repair Device. [PR Newswire]
 
Nanoengineers Aim to Grow Tissues with Functional Blood Vessels
University of California, San Diego, nanoengineers won a grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop the tools to manufacture biodegradable frames around which heart tissues — functional blood vessels included — will grow. [University of California, San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Press Release]

Boost for Regenerative Medicine Research in Ireland
In a major boost for Regenerative Medicine research in Ireland, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation announced funding of almost EUR10 million for the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at NUI Galway. [Science Foundation Ireland Press Release]
 
CorMatrix® Cardiovascular Awarded $2.3 Million in Grants for Continued Research and Advancements in Regenerative ECM® Technology
CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc. announced that the Company has been awarded $2.3 million in grants under the U.S. Government’s Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project program to advance the development of their unique extracellular matrix technology. [CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc. Press Release]
 
Intercytex Reforms as U.S. Department of Defense Funds Vavelta® Scar Therapy Trials for Injured Soldiers
Intercytex, the regenerative medicine company, announces that it has reformed as a private enterprise and that its lead product, the cell therapy (VAVELTA®) will be evaluated by the U.S. military to help treat injured soldiers. [Intercytex Press Release]

Halozyme’s rHuPH20 with Recombinant Human Insulin Demonstrates Glycemic Control Comparable to Lispro
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced Phase II results demonstrating that Insulin-PH20 (recombinant human insulin with rHuPH20) produced glycemic control comparable to lispro. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

FDA Seen Tougher on Drug Risks Post-Avandia
Regulators appear to be increasing their scrutiny of product risks after cases like the bitter debate over the diabetes pill Avandia, industry executives and experts said. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
 
European Medicines Agency and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Launch Joint Project on Regulatory Science
The European Medicines Agency and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Biomedical Innovation and Center for International Studies are launching a collaborative research project with a focus on enhancing regulatory science in pharmaceuticals. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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