Extracellular Matrix News Volume 1.31 | Dec 9 2010

Endothelial Cell Scaffolds Generated by 3D Direct Writing of Biodegradable Polymer Microfibers  
Researchers propose a new “direct-write” process for fabricating scaffolds composed of suspended polymer microfibers that are precisely oriented in 3D, providing directional architecture for selectively guiding cell growth along a desired pathway. [Biomaterials]

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Bioactive Peptides Found to Promote Wound Healing
Newly-created bioactive peptides, produced from collagenase treatment of extracellular matrix, promote wound healing through the growth of new blood vessels and epithelial tissue. [Press release from The Tufts Center for Innovations in Wound Healing Research discussing online prepublication in Wound Repair and Regeneration]

Beta-Catenin Mediates Mechanically Regulated, Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1-Induced Myofibroblast Differentiation of Aortic Valve Interstitial Cells
Myofibroblast differentiation of valve interstitial cells involves matrix stiffness-dependent crosstalk between TGF-1 and Wnt signaling pathways and may explain in part why the stiffer fibrosa is more susceptible to disease. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol]
 
Mechanics of Cell Spreading Within 3D-Micropatterned Environments
Findings highlight the dynamic relationship between cellular forces and acto-myosin contractility in 3D environments, the influence of cytoskeletal network mechanics on cell shape, as well as the importance of cell-extracellular matrix contact area in the generation of traction forces. [Lab Chip]

Structural Diversity in Integrin/Talin Interactions
Researchers employed NMR to probe interactions and dynamics, revealing marked structural diversity in the contacts between beta1A, beta1D, and beta3 tails and the Talin1 and Talin2 isoforms. [Structure]

The Disintegrin-Like and Cysteine-Rich Domains of ADAM-9 Mediate Interactions Between Melanoma Cells and Fibroblasts
Results suggest that ADAM-9 expression plays an important role in mediating cell-cell contacts between fibroblasts and melanoma cells and that these interactions contribute to proteolytic activities required during invasion of melanoma cells. [J Biol Chem]

Networked-Based Characterization of Extracellular Matrix Proteins from Adult Mouse Pulmonary and Aortic Valves
This study reports the healthy adult pulmonary and aortic valve proteomes characterized by LC/MS/MS, resulting in 2710 proteins expressed by 1513 genes, including over 300 abundant extracellular matrix proteins. [J Proteome Res]

Biomimetic Hydrogels with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Induce Angiogenic Processes in Both hUVEC and hMEC
The goal of the current study was to develop a system with a backbone of polyethylene glycol and grafted angiogenic signals to compare the initial angiogenic response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (hUVEC) or human microvascular endothelial cells (hMEC). [Biomacromolecules]

Functional Composite Nanofibers of Poly(Lactide-Co-Caprolactone) Containing Gelatin-Apatite Bone Mimetic Precipitate for Bone Regeneration
Based on these results, the gelatin-apatite-poly(lactic-co-caprolactone) composite nanofiber developed in this study is considered to be potentially useful as a bone tissue regeneration matrix. [Acta Biomater]

Biological Hydrogel Synthesized from Hyaluronic Acid, Gelatin and Chondroitin Sulfate by Click Chemistry
In order to mimic the natural cartilage extracellular matrix, which is composed of coreproteins and glycosaminoglycan, a biological hydrogel was synthesized from biopolymers of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and gelatin via click chemistry. [Acta Biomater]

Beta-Radiation Reduces the Reactivity of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Intravascular Brachytherapy (IVBT), Resulting in Decreased Platelet Adhesion
20-Gy beta radiation significantly decreased platelet adhesion to extra cellular matrix protein vWF and collagen Type III and had no effect on the adhesion upon fibrinogen and fibronectin. [Int J Cardiol]

Extracellular Matrix of Collagen Modulates Intracellular Calcium Handling and Electrophysiological Characteristics of HL-1 Cardiomyocytes with Activation of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor
The study demonstrates that collagen can directly modulate the calcium dynamics and electrical activities of atrial cardiomyocytes, which are associated with the renin-angiotensin system. [J Card Fail]

Bioactive Peptides Derived from Vascular Endothelial Cell Extracellular Matrices Promote Microvascular Morphogenesis and Wound Healing In Vitro
Researchers postulated that matrix degradation by Clostridial collagenase creates bioactive fragments that can stimulate cellular responses to injury and angiogenesis. [Wound Repair Regen]

Halozyme Announces Roche Completes Patient Enrollment in Phase III Clinical Trial with Subcutaneous Herceptin®
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced that Roche has completed patient enrollment for the pivotal Phase III study of Herceptin SC (trastuzumab subcutaneous), a subcutaneous formulation that uses Halozyme’s Enhanze™ technology (rHuPH20, recombinant human hyaluronidase). [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

Audax Medical Gains Rights to Brown Regenerative Nanotech
Medical device startup Audax Medical Inc. has gained exclusive rights from Brown University for Arxis, a biomaterial intended to help regenerate diseased bone and cartilage, the company reported. [Mass High Tech]

WFUBMC Orthopaedic Researchers Awarded DOD Grant
Orthopaedic researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFUBMC) have been awarded a $2.24 million four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to study the use of keratin gel in the regeneration of damaged peripheral nerves, those in the hands, arms and feet. [Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Press Release]

Histogen Announces Completion of Series A Financing
Histogen, Inc. announced the successful completion of its Series A financing at $10 million. [Histogen, Inc. Press Release]

Nanoink Launches New Application for Single Cell Arrays at ASCB Annual Meeting
NanoInk’s NanoFabrication Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of  a new application for single cell studies that enables micropatterning of proteins and polyethylene glycol-based hydrogel at sub cellular scales. [NanoInk, Inc. Press Release]

Orthovita Receives FDA Clearance for Vitoss™ Bioactive Foam-2X Bone Graft Substitute
Orthovita, Inc. announced that it received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Vitoss Bioactive Foam-2X Bone Graft Substitute for use as a non-structural bone void filler for use in the spine, pelvis and extremities. [Orthovita, Inc. Press Release]

Halozyme Therapeutics Realigns Management
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced the appointment of Gregory I. Frost, Ph.D., to serve as president and CEO, effective immediately. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

BioStorage Technologies Expands Global Cold Chain Logistics and Transport Offering to Include Sample Relocation Services
BioStorage Technologies, a global leader in scientific asset management, cold chain logistics and biomaterial storage for the bioscience industry, has expanded its service offerings to include a suite of global sample relocation services [BioStorage Technologies, Inc. Press Release]

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