Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.03 | Jan 31 2019

TOP STORY

PU.1 Controls Fibroblast Polarization and Tissue Fibrosis

The interplay between transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms that normally control the expression of PU.1 expression was perturbed in various fibrotic diseases, resulting in the upregulation of PU.1, induction of fibrosis-associated gene sets and a phenotypic switch in ECM-producing pro-fibrotic fibroblasts. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Protective Effects of Activated Myofibroblasts in the Pressure-Overloaded Myocardium Are Mediated through Smad-Dependent Activation of a Matrix-Preserving Program

In vitro, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) 1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 stimulated a Smad3-dependent matrix-preserving phenotype in cardiac fibroblasts, suppressing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 and MMP8 synthesis and inducing tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1. [Circ Res] Abstract

Cullin5 Deficiency Promotes Small-Cell Lung Cancer Metastasis by Stabilizing Integrin β1

Mechanistically, the deficiency of cullin5 or suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 disrupted the functional formation of the E3 ligase complex and prevented the degradation of integrin β1, which stabilized integrin β1 and activated downstream focal adhesion kinase/SRC signaling and eventually drove small-cell lung cancer metastasis. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Enhanced Drug Delivery by Nanoscale Integration of a Nitric Oxide Donor to Induce Tumor Collagen Depletion

Researchers present a protein-free collagen depletion strategy for drug delivery into solid tumors, based on activating endogenous matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) using nitric oxide (NO). The loaded NO resulted in activation of MMPs which degraded collagen in the tumor ECM. [Nano Lett] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A Bioinspired Scaffold with Anti-Inflammatory Magnesium Hydroxide and Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Renal Tissue Regeneration

The bioinspired scaffold was designed with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂), and decellularized renal ECM. The Mg(OH)₂ inhibited materials-induced inflammatory reactions by neutralizing the acidic microenvironment formed by degradation products of PLGA, and the acellular ECM helped restore the biological function of kidney tissues. [ACS Cent Sci] Full Article

Collagen Scaffolds Functionalized with Copper-Eluting Bioactive Glass Reduce Infection and Enhance Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis Both In Vitro and In Vivo

Multifunctional collagen-copper-doped bioactive glass scaffolds were fabricated with favorable microarchitectural and mechanical properties within the ideal range for bone tissue engineering. Scaffolds demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus whilst also enhancing osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Bioengineered Tumor Microenvironments with Naked Mole Rats High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronan Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells

Extremely high-molecular-weight hyaluronan (EHMW-HA) altering tumor microenvironment in both 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids significantly enhanced apoptosis, inhibiting the proliferation of 4T1 and BT549 cells. The prominent anticancer effects of EHMW-HA on the cancer-cell apoptosis phenotype were further confirmed by inhibiting tumor formation in nude mice. [Oncogene] Abstract

Process- and Bio-Inspired Hydrogels for 3D Bioprinting of Soft Free-Standing Neural and Glial Tissues

In vitro cell viability studies using the 3D bioprinted neural tissues showed that the cured bioink was biocompatible based on a minimal cytotoxic response observed over seven days in culture relative to control studies done using alginate hydrogels. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Fibroblasts Activation and Abnormal Extracellular Matrix Remodeling as Common Hallmarks in Three Cancer-Prone Genodermatoses

Investigators suggest a synthetic fibroblast phenotype characterized by the aberrant expression of ECM proteins. Western blot and immunofluorescence in situ analysis validated the RNA-Seq data. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed increased circulating levels of periostin in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients. [Br J Dermatol] Abstract

Knockdown of Golgi Phosphoprotein 73 Blocks the Trafficking of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and Inhibits Cell Invasion

The knockdown of GP73 induced the accumulation of intracellular MMP-2, which inhibited the phosphorylation of Src at Y416 and triggered the inhibition of SAPK/JNK and p53-p21 signaling pathways through a negative feedback loop. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Lipid Phosphatases SKIP and SHIP2 Regulate Fibronectin-Dependent Cell Migration in Glioblastoma

Upon adhesion of U-251 MG cells to fibronectin, SHIP2, SKIP and PI(4,5)P2 co-localized in membrane ruffles. Upregulation of PI(4,5)P2 was observed in SKIP-depleted U-251 MG cells compared to control cells, but only when cells were adhered to fibronectin. [FEBS J] Abstract

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Nanomaterials as Potential and Versatile Platform for Next Generation Tissue Engineering Applications

The authors give a comprehensive outlook of different organ specific nanomaterials (NMs) which are being used for diversified tissue engineering (TE) applications. Varieties of NMs are known to serve as biological alternatives to repair or replace a portion or whole of the nonfunctional or damaged tissue. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

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Dr. Yong-Beom Park’s Research in Cartilage Regeneration Earns Him Young Investigator Award

Yong-Beom Park, M.D., Ph.D., was named the STEM CELLS Translational Medicine’s Young Investigator of 2018 for his research in cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritic patients. In his study, Dr. Park and his team collected stem cells from human umbilical cord blood, mixed with a hyaluronic acid hydrogel composite and then implanted them in human knees with osteoarthritis. [Regenerative Medicien Foundation] Press Release

Project Onramp to Boost Diversity in Biotech and Tap New Talent with 50 Well-Paid Summer Positions for Students from Low-Income Backgrounds

The internships are intended to serve as a stepping-stone to a rewarding career for a talent pool that has typically had difficulty gaining access to the burgeoning life science industry. It will also help growing Massachusetts biotechnology companies fill the additional 12,000 positions estimated to be created by 2023. [Massachusetts Biotechnology] Press Release

A 25% Pay Raise? That’s Not Nearly Enough, Young Indian Scientists Say

In response to months of protests and marches, the Indian government announced yesterday that it will give early-career scientists raises of up to 25%. But leaders of the protest movement, who had asked for an 80% hike, immediately rejected the offer. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

How Brexit Threatens Irish Science’s Cross-Border Collaboration

Scientists in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are worried that Brexit will upset the island’s research ecosystem, which has benefited from peace and economic growth over the past 20 years. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW FEBS 2019: Matrix Pathobiology, Signaling & Molecular Targets
May 2-7, 2019
Porto Heli, Greece

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NEW Assistant Professor – Development & Re-Generation of Biological Systems (ETH Zurich)

Scientist – Matrix Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Microstructure Core Facility Leader (TU Dresden)

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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