Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.15 | Apr 25 2019

TOP STORY

Artificial Cell Membrane Binding Thrombin Constructs Drive In Situ Fibrin Hydrogel Formation

Scientists report on a self-contained matrix-forming system where the membrane of human mesenchymal stem cells was modified to display a novel thrombin construct, giving rise to spontaneous fibrin hydrogel nucleation and growth at near human plasma concentrations of fibrinogen. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Dynamic Fibroblast Contractions Attract Remote Macrophages in Fibrillar Collagen Matrix

Investigators showed that contracting fibroblasts generate deformation fields in fibrillar collagen matrix that provide far-reaching physical cues for macrophages (Mϕ). Within collagen deformation fields created by fibroblasts or actuated microneedles, Mϕ migrated towards the force source from several hundreds of micrometers away. [Nat Commun] Full Article

A Small Molecule Promotes Cartilage Extracellular Matrix Generation and Inhibits Osteoarthritis Development

The authors describe BNTA, a small molecule with ECM modulatory properties. BNTA promoted generation of ECM components in cultured chondrocytes isolated from individuals with osteoarthritis. In human osteoarthritic cartilage explants, BNTA treatment stimulated expression of ECM components while suppressing inflammatory mediators. [Nat Commun] Full Article

MicroRNA-92 Expression in CD133⁺ Melanoma Stem Cells Regulates Immunosuppression in the Tumor Microenvironment via Integrin-Dependent Activation of TGF-β

Researchers identified several miRs that were significantly downregulated in CD133⁺ cells compared to CD133^– cells, including miR-92. Decreased expression of miR-92 in cancer stem cells led to higher expression of target molecules integrin αV and α5 subunits, which in turn enhanced TGF-β activation as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of SMAD2. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Promoting Neurite Growth and Schwann Cells Migration by Harnessing Decellularized Nerve Matrix onto Nanofibrous Guidance

The promotion of Schwann cell-neurite interactions through the use of a nerve ECM-coated nanofiber composite in vitro was demonstrated using a cell culturing platform consisting of either random or aligned electrospun poly(L-lactic acid) nanofibers and decellularized peripheral nerve matrix gel from porcine peripheral nervous tissue. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Fish Collagen and Hydroxyapatite Reinforced PLGA Fibrous Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration

Scientists fabricated a low-immunogenicity fish collagen and bioactive nano-hydroxyapatite enhanced poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanofibrous membrane for guided bone regeneration via electrospinning. The membranes exhibited favorable cytocompatibility with bone mesenchymal stem cells and human gingiva fibroblasts cells. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

Small Molecules Target the Interaction between Tissue Transglutaminase and Fibronectin

The authors identified several small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) for the tissue transglutaminase (TG2)/fibronectin (FN) complex. They demonstrated that these analogues blocked TG2/FN interaction and bio-layer interferometry showed that the SMIs bound to TG2. The compounds also potently inhibited cancer cell adhesion to FN and decreased outside-in signaling mediated through the focal adhesion kinase. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Matrix Metalloproteinase-12 Produced by Ly6C^low Macrophages Prolongs the Survival after Myocardial Infarction by Preventing Neutrophil Influx

The survival rate and cardiac function after myocardial infarction were significantly impaired in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12-deficient (mmp12^−/−) mice compared with those in wild-type mice. In addition, the extent of myocardial fibrosis and the number of myofibroblasts in the infarct area were decreased in mmp12^−/− mice. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Potential MMP2-Mediated Availability of HLA Binding, Mutant ECM Peptides Reflects Better Melanoma Survival Rates and Greater T-Cell Infiltrates

To better understand the potential impact of mutant amino acids on protease function and cancer progression, scientists established a bioinformatics approach to assess the impact of melanoma mutants, among a previously defined set of ECM structural proteins, on the sensitivity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), extensively associated with melanoma. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Repressive Role of Stabilized HIF1α Expression on TGFβ-Induced Extracellular Matrix Production in Lung Cancer Cells

Researchers investigated the role of stabilized hypoxia-inducible factor α (HIF1α) expression via protein phosphatase activity on dissociation of the E-cadherin/β-catenin complex and aberrant ECM expression in lung cancer cells under stimulation by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). [Cancer Sci] Abstract

Corneal Bioprinting Utilizing Collagen-Based Bioinks and Primary Human Keratocytes

Corneal stromal keratocytes were bioprinted in collagen-based bioinks as 3D biomimetic models and the geometrical outcome as well as the functionality of the bioprinted specimens were evaluated after in vitro culture. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

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Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Cancer Research

The author classifies decellularized ECM (dECM) with respect to its sources and summarizes the preparation and characterization methods for dECM. Additionally, the examples of cancer research using the dECM are introduced. Finally, future perspectives of cancer studies with dECM are described in the conclusions. [Materials] Full Article

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Mallinckrodt Completes Expansion of Operations and Manufacturing Facility for StrataGraft^® Regenerative Skin Tissue in Madison, Wis.

Mallinckrodt plc celebrated the completion of its expanded operations and manufacturing facility for the investigational StrataGraft^® regenerative skin tissue, in Madison, Wis. [Mallinckrodt plc] Press Release

‘Audacious’ Science Ideas Win Huge Funding Boosts after Selection by TED Group

The TED organization, whose slick online video presentations have helped thousands of scientists and other thinkers reach huge audiences and potential financial backers, has jumped into the funding business itself. [ScienceInsider] Press Release

Elsevier and Norway Agree on New Open-Access Deal

After unsuccessful negotiations between a coalition of Norwegian organizations and the academic publisher Elsevier culminated in canceled subscriptions earlier this year, the two have successfully established a new nationwide licensing agreement. [The Scientist] Editorial

Fearing No-Deal Brexit, European Funder Orders UK Researchers to Transfer Grants

The prospect of Brexit, the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) departure from the European Union, has loomed long and large over researchers, but the effects on funding, so far, have been speculative. Now, a European funding agency has made a pre-emptive strike in advance of Brexit, changing a policy that directly impacts grants in the UK. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Cell Symposia: Hallmarks of Cancer
November 17-19, 2019
Seattle, Washington, United States

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NEW Associate Professor/Professor – Cell & Molecular Biology (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Lecturer – Stem Cell Biology/Regenerative Medicine (The University of Manchester)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Ligand and Integrin Therapeutics (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Gene Function in Fibrosis & Wound Healing (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Research Scientist – Therapeutics Discovery Division (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Tenure-Track Lecturer – Molecular Biology (University of Cyprus)

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Tissue Engineering (BioTis)

Faculty Position – Department of Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh)

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

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