Extracellular Matrix News Volume 1.32 | Dec 16 2010

Degradable Polyester Scaffolds with Controlled Surface Chemistry Combining Minimal Protein Adsorption with Specific Bioactivation  
Researchers present a one-step preparation of fully synthetic, bioactive and degradable extracellular matrix-mimetic scaffolds by electrospinning, using poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) as the matrix polymer. [Nat Mater]

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Cells ‘Feel’ the Difference Between Stiff or Soft and Thick or Thin Matrix
Cultured mesenchymal stem cells can “feel” at least several microns below the surface of an artificial microfilm matrix, gauging the elasticity of the extracellular bedding that is a crucial variable in determining their fate. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing research presented at American Society of Cell Biology 50th Annual Meeting]

Lineage Restriction of Human Hepatic Stem Cells to Mature Fates Is Made Efficient by Tissue-Specific Biomatrix Scaffolds
Biomatrix scaffolds can be used for biological and pharmaceutical studies of lineage-restricted stem cells, for maintenance of mature cells, and, in the future, for implantable, vascularized engineered tissues or organs. [Hepatology]

Maturational Growth of Self-Assembled, Functional Menisci as a Result of TGF-Beta1 and Enzymatic Chondroitinase-ABC Stimulation
In an effort to obtain the geometric properties and the maturational growth necessary for the recapitulation of biochemical and, thus, biomechanical properties, a scaffoldless cell-based system, the self-assembly process, was used in conjunction with the catabolic enzyme chondroitinase-ABC and TGF-beta1. [Biomaterials ]

Bioactivation of Dermal Scaffolds with a Non-Viral Copolymer-Protected Gene Vector
Researchers activated an FDA-approved collagen scaffold for dermal regeneration by incorporation of copolymer-protected gene vectors to induce a temporary release of VEGF. [Biomaterials]

Distinct Roles for Paxillin and Hic-5 in Regulating Breast Cancer Cell Morphology, Invasion and Metastasis
Researchers show that the focal adhesion adaptor protein, Paxillin and the closely related Hic-5, have distinct and unique roles in the regulation of breast cancer cell lung metastasis by modulating cell morphology and cell invasion through three dimensional extracellular matrices. [Mol Biol Cell]

Integrin-Linked Kinase Is Required for TGF-Beta1 Induction of Dermal Myofibroblast Differentiation
Researchers conclude that integrin-linked kinase is necessary to transduce signals implicated in the transition of dermal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts originating from matrix substrates and TGF-Beta1. [J Invest Dermatol]
 
Promoting External Inosculation of Prevascularized Tissue Constructs by Pre-Cultivation in an Angiogenic Extracellular Matrix
The engineering of preformed microvessels offers the promising opportunity to rapidly vascularize implanted tissue constructs by the process of inosculation. Herein, researchers analyzed whether this process may further be accelerated by cultivation of prevascularized tissue constructs in Matrigel before implantation. [Eur Cell Mater]

Chondroitin Sulfate N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1 Is Necessary for Normal Endochondral Ossification and Aggrecan Metabolism
Observations suggest that chondroitin sulfate N-acetylgalactosaminyltransfease 1 is necessary for normal levels of endochondral ossification and the decrease in chondroitin sulfate amount in the growth plate by its absence causes a rapid catabolism of aggrecan. [J Biol Chem]

Role of Integrins in Angiotensin II-Induced Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
To study crosstalk between GPCR- and integrin-induced signaling, researchers hypothesized that integrins are involved in AII-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. [Am J Physiol Cell Physiol]

Labeling of Fibronectin by Fluorescent and Paramagnetic Nanoprobes for Exploring the Extracellular Matrix: Bioconjugate Synthesis Optimization and Biochemical Characterization
The local structure and global conformation of fibronectin-nanoparticle bioconjugates were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and enzymatic sites accessibility. [Anal Bioanal Chem]

Influence of Glial-Derived Matrix Molecules, Especially Chondroitin Sulfates, on Neurite Growth and Survival of Cultured Mouse Embryonic Motoneurons
Results indicate that molecules of the extracellular matrix, especially chondroitin sulfates, play an important role as axon growth-promoting cues. [J Neurosci Res]
 
Novel Tissue-Derived Biomimetic Scaffold for Regenerating the Human Nucleus Pulposus
In the present study, researchers describe a novel approach to develop a tissue engineering scaffold comprised acellular porcine nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix. [J Biomed Mater Res A]

Establishment of Olympus Biotech, and Its Acquisition of Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1) Assets from U.S.-Based Stryker Biotech
Olympus Corporation announced the establishment of a new company, Olympus Biotech Corporation in the United States. Agreement has been reached with Stryker Corporation concerning Olympus Biotech’s acquisition from Stryker Biotech of a majority of assets in the bone field pertaining to the development, manufacture and sale of Osteogenic Protein-1. [Olympus Corporation Press Release] 

Harvard Bioscience Files Two Major Patents in Field of Regenerative Medicine
Harvard Bioscience, Inc. has filed two major patents in the field of regenerative medicine, the first covering 61 claims for its stem cell therapy injectors and the second for 338 claims for bioreactors for organ growth. [Harvard Bioscience, Inc. Press Release]

First Patient Enrolled in Multi-Center Clinical Trial of the CorMatrix® ECM® for Pericardial Closure to Reduce the Incidence of New Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc. announced that Franciscan Alliance/St. Francis Heart Center in Indianapolis, Indiana is the first site to enroll a patient in the multi-center clinical trial of the CorMatrix ECM for Pericardial Closure to reduce the incidence of new onset postoperative atrial fibrillation. [PR Newswire]
 
New Dermagraft Coding to Streamline Reimbursement Process for Medicare Providers
Advanced BioHealing, Inc. announced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has assigned two new procedure codes for the application of Dermagraft®, effective January 1, 2011. [Advanced BioHealing, Inc. Press Release]

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]

House Approves Flat 2011 Budget for Most Science Agencies
The three federal agencies that support the vast majority of academic research would receive no more money in 2011 than in 2010 under a spending bill that narrowly passed the House of Representatives. [House of Representatives, United States]

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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