Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.09 | Mar 14 2019

TOP STORY

Chirality Controls Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lineage Diversification through Mechanoresponses

Researchers report that the chirality of a constructed 3D ECM differentiated mesenchymal stem cells to diverse lineages of osteogenic and adipogenic cells by providing primary heterogeneity. [Adv Mater] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Actomyosin Contractility-Dependent Matrix Stretch and Recoil Induces Rapid Cell Migration

In contrast to stiff matrices where cells migrated continuously in a traditional mesenchymal fashion, cells in deformable matrices stretched matrix fibers to store elastic energy; subsequent adhesion failure triggered sudden matrix recoil and rapid cell translocation. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Hypoxia Mimicking Hydrogels to Regulate the Fate of Transplanted Stem Cells

In vivo, dimethyloxalylglycine delivery significantly reduced mineralisation of the proteoglycan-rich cartilaginous tissue generated by mesenchymal stem cells within alginate hydrogels loaded with TGF-β3 and BMP-2. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Extracellular Matrix Triggers Spontaneous M2-Like Polarity of Monocyte/Macrophage

In the presence of hyaluronic acid (HA), expression of the HA receptor (CD44) and M2 polarity-related genes was upregulated in human monocytes. The authors confirmed the CD44-mediated activation of STAT3 in THP-1 cells cultured in an HA-rich environment. [Biomater Sci] Abstract

Hyaluronic Acid Inhibition by 4-Methylumbelliferone Reduces the Expression of Cancer Stem Cells Markers during Hepatocarcinogenesis

As observed in vivo, in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, the HAS2 mRNA expression was down-regulated in Huh7 while HAS3 in JHH6, both with or without the presence of extrinsic hyaluronic acid. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Tissue-Specific Extracellular Matrix Accelerates the Formation of Neural Networks and Communities in a Neuron-Glia Co-Culture on a Multi-Electrode Array

Scientists compared neural network activity from primary neurons co-cultured with glia grown on ECM coatings from decellularized brain tissue or MaxGel, a non-tissue-specific ECM. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Fibroblasts from Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Are Resistant to Cisplatin-Induced Cell Death via Enhanced CK2-Dependent XRCC1 Activity

Scientists investigated the cisplatin-induced cell death mechanism in lung fibroblasts derived from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and non-IPF patients in response to a collagen matrix. IPF fibroblasts showed enhanced resistance to cisplatin-induced cell death compared to non-IPF fibroblasts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. [Apoptosis] Abstract

miR-499a-5p Suppresses Apoptosis of Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Degradation of Their Extracellular Matrix by Targeting SOX4

Investigators found that miR-499a-5p was significantly downregulated in degenerative tissues of the human nucleus pulposus (NP) compared with healthy tissues. Knockdown of miR-499a-5p promoted NP cell apoptosis, stimulated caspase activation, enhanced MMP3 and MMP13 expression, and downregulated aggrecan and type II collagen. [Biomed Pharmacother] Full Article

Matrix Metalloproteinase-Dependent Regulation of Extracellular Matrix Shapes the Structure of Sexually Differentiating Mouse Gonads

Researchers cultured developing mouse gonads in vitro in the presence of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) inhibitors or the MMPs activator, 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate. [Differentiation] Abstract

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Chondrocyte Dedifferentiation and Osteoarthritis (OA)

The authors present molecular knowledge underlying dedifferentiation process, emphasize connections between dedifferentiation and OA and consider OA therapeutic strategies aiming at the maintenance of chondrogenic phenotype. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field.

Rocket Pharmaceuticals Sponsors Clinical Trial at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a research agreement to support the clinical development of Rocket’s lentiviral vector-based gene therapy programs in leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I and infantile malignant osteopetrosis towards registrational trials. [Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Fidia Pharma USA Inc. Announces Expansion into Regenerative Medicine Markets with Launch of NuDYN™

Fidia is introducing NuDYN™, its first product in the regenerative medicine category. NuDYN™ is a shelf-stable, injectable, flowable amniotic membrane-derived allograft from donated placentas obtained via cesarean delivery. [Fidia Pharma USA Inc.] Press Release

Norway Joins List of Countries Canceling Elsevier Contracts

Norway has become latest country to cancel its contracts with Elsevier following a dispute over access to research papers. In a statement published March 12, the Norwegian Directorate for ICT and Joint Services in Higher Education and Research, which represents a consortium of research institutions in the country, rejected Elsevier’s offer to lower some of its costs for Norwegian institutions because it didn’t go far enough to promote free access to published research. [The Scientist] Editorial

In a First, US Private Sector Employs Nearly as Many PhDs as Schools Do

The job market for US science and engineering PhDs is about to pass a long-anticipated milestone. For decades, educational institutions have been the largest employer of PhDs. In 1997, for instance, they eclipsed private sector employment by 11 percentage points, according to the US National Science Foundation’s biennial Survey of Doctorate Recipients. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Comparative Cartilage Biology Conference 2019
June 24-26, 2019
Banyuls Sur Mer, France

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Pancreatic Cancer Research (Umeå University)

Scientist – Matrix Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Bone Matrix Research (NUI Galway)

Early Stage Researchers/PhD Positions – Biomechanics in Health & Disease (Phys2BioMed ITN-ETN Network)

Faculty Position – Department of Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh)

Assistant Professor – Biomedical Research (Michigan State University)

University Lecturers – Molecular & Integrative Sciences (University of Helsinki)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Experimental Systems Biology of Lung Regeneration & Fibrosis (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Computational Modeling of Cell-Matrix Interactions (Washington University, St. Louis)

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

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

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