Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.02 | Jan 24 2019

TOP STORY

TRPV4-Mediated Calcium Signaling in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulates Aligned Collagen Matrix Formation and Vinculin Tension

Inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) nearly abolished Ca²⁺ signaling at initial stages of collagen matrix assembly, while at later times had reduced but significant effects. Blocking TRPV4 activity dramatically reduced aligned collagen fibril assembly; conversely, activating TRPV4 accelerated aligned collagen formation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Soluble Matrix Protein Is a Potent Modulator of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Performance

Scientists describe how tropoelastin inherently induced a range of biological responses, even in cells not typically associated with elastic tissues and in a manner unexpected of typical substrate-dependent matrix proteins. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Blockade of a Laminin-411 – Notch Axis with CRISPR/Cas9 or a Nanobioconjugate Inhibits Glioblastoma Growth through Tumor-Microenvironment Crosstalk

Investigators showed that depletion of laminin-411 α4 and β1 chains with CRISPR/Cas9 in human glioblastoma multiforme cells led to reduced growth of resultant intracranial tumors in mice, and significantly increased survival of host animals compared to mice with untreated cells. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Mechanisms of Thrombocytopenia in Platelet-Type Von Willebrand Disease

Collagen triggered megakaryocytes showed defective activation of the RhoA-MLC2 axis, which prevents proplatelet formation, and increased phosphorylation of Lyn, which acts as a negative regulator of GPVI signaling thus preventing ectopic proplatelet-formation on collagen. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

Construction of Multicellular Aggregate by E-Cadherin Coated Microparticles Enhancing the Hepatic Specific Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Hepatic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was induced by a biomimetic microenvironment consisting of engineered aggregates and a cocktail of specific cytokines. The ratio of human E-cadherin fusion protein-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles to hMSCs in engineered hMSCs aggregates was optimized to 1:3 for hepatic differentiation. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Hyaluronan/Collagen Hydrogels Containing Sulfated Hyaluronan Improve Wound Healing by Sustained Release of Heparin-Binding EGF-Like Growth Factor

Hydrogels containing hyaluronan (HA) and collagen or a mixture with sulfated HA were shown to bind and release bioactive heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor over at least 72-hours, which induced keratinocyte migration, EGF receptor-signaling and HGF expression in dermal fibroblasts. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Identification and Characterization of Canine Ligament Progenitor Cells and Their Extracellular Matrix Niche

Ligament progenitor cells (LPCs) were isolated from canine cranial cruciate ligament and characterized for clonogenicity, multipotency and marker expression. Metabolic labeling of cells demonstrated unique turnover profiles for distinct ECM protein groups, indicating the importance of certain niche components for LPC survival and function. [J Proteome Res] Abstract

Cancer Cell Migration on Elongate Protrusions of Fibroblasts in Collagen Matrix

Scientists propose a novel mechanism of fibroblast-dependent cancer cell invasion in the 3D collagen matrix. They designed a new invasion assay in which homogeneous microspheroids consisting of cancer cells and fibroblasts were embedded into a collagen gel. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Quantitative Phase Imaging Reveals Matrix Stiffness-Dependent Growth and Migration of Cancer Cells

Melanoma cells of high metastatic potential demonstrated increased growth and velocity characteristics relative to cells of low metastatic potential. Cell velocity in the highly metastatic population showed a relative insensitivity to matrix stiffness suggesting adoption of migratory routines that were independent of mechanics to facilitate invasion. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Adhesion Deregulation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Adhesion plays an important role in normal hematopoiesis and in acute myeloid leukemia. The expression of adhesion molecules has a prognostic impact and there are ongoing efforts to therapeutically target adhesion in the fight against leukemia. [Cells] Full Article

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STEMCELL Technologies Launches mTeSR™ Plus, a Next-Generation Culture System for Human ES and iPS Cell Maintenance

STEMCELL Technologies has released mTeSR™ Plus, an enhanced version of mTeSR™1, the most widely published feeder-free human PSC maintenance medium. The new medium has undergone successful beta testing with several members of the Stem Cell COREdinates group and has completed rigorous in-house validation testing. [STEMCELL Technologies Inc.] Press Release

Bioventus Launches OSTEOMATRIX+^® Biphasic Bone Graft

Bioventus launched OSTEOMATRIX+, its next generation biphasic bone graft for use in bone remodeling in a variety of orthopaedic and spine applications. OSTEOMATRIX+ is a moldable bone graft substitute consisting of bovine collagen and biphasic, hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate granules designed to produce a reliable, porous scaffold and sustained osteoconductivity throughout the bone remodeling process. [Bioventus] Press Release

Brazil’s New President Has Scientists Worried. Here’s Why

Brazil has long been a frontrunner in climate change policy and environmental diplomacy. The international conventions on climate change and biological diversity, for example, were born during the historic United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and Brazil played a key role in crafting and implementing both agreements. That legacy is now at risk. [Science Insider] Editorial

Number of EU Research Students in Britain Drops from Pre-Referendum High

The number of postgraduate researchers at UK universities who come from other European Union countries has fallen since the Brexit referendum in June 2016. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW EMBO Workshop: Bridging Cell & Tissue Mechanics to Fate Specification in Development
April 2-5, 2019
Santiago, Chile

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NEW Research Associate – Microstructure Core Facility Leader (TU Dresden)

Scientist – Matrix Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Tenure Track Associate Professor – Molecular Cell Biology (Aarhus University)

Tenure Track Assistant Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of British Columbia)

Associate Senior Lecturer – Molecular Medicine/Regenerative Medicine (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Planar Cell Polarity (Stony Brook University)

Tenure Track Faculty Position – Department of Pharmacology & Physiology (University of Rochester)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Tissue Fibrosis Resolution (UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute)

Assistant Professor – Sarcoma & Skeletal-Related Malignancies (UC Davis School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Matrix (UCSF School of Medicine)

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