Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.18 | May 16 2019

TOP STORY

Experimental and Computational Analyses Reveal that Environmental Restrictions Shape HIV-1 Spread in 3D Cultures

Researchers applied an integrative method to study pathogen spread by experiment and computation within tissue-like 3D cultures to analyze HIV-1 spread between primary human CD4 T-lymphocytes using collagen as a tissue-like 3D-scaffold. Measurements of virus replication, infectivity, diffusion, cellular motility and interactions were combined by mathematical analyses into an integrated spatial infection model to estimate parameters governing HIV-1 spread. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

A Strongly Adhesive Hemostatic Hydrogel for the Repair of Arterial and Heart Bleeds

Scientists designed a photo-reactive adhesive that mimicked the ECM composition. This biomacromolecule-based matrix hydrogel could undergo rapid gelling and fixation to adhere and seal bleeding arteries and cardiac walls after UV light irradiation. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Editorial

High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronan Is a Hippo Pathway Ligand Directing Cell Density-Dependent Growth Inhibition via PAR1b

Clustering of the CD44 extracellular domain by high-molecular-weight hyaluronan led to recruitment of the polarity-regulating kinase PAR1b by the CD44 intracellular domain, which resulted in disruption of the Hippo signaling-inhibitory PAR1b-MST complex. Once liberated from PAR1b, MST activated Hippo signaling. [Dev Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Tropoelastin Coated Tendon Biomimetic Scaffolds Promote Stem Cell Tenogenic Commitment and Deposition of Elastin-Rich Matrix

Researchers found that human adipose-derived stem cells seeded onto tropoelastin biomimetic scaffolds more rapidly acquired their spindle-shape morphology and high aspect ratio characteristic of tenocytes. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

H19 LncRNA Identified as a Master Regulator of Genes That Drive Uterine Leiomyomas

Investigators report that the expression of H19 long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) was aberrantly increased in uterine fibroids. Using cell culture and genome-wide transcriptome and methylation profiling analyses, they demonstrated that H19 promoted expression of MED12, HMGA2, and key ECM-remodeling genes via multiple mechanisms including a new class of epigenetic modification by TET3. [Oncogene] Full Article

A Rapid Biofabrication Technique for Self-Assembled Collagen-Based Multicellular and Heterogeneous 3D Tissue Constructs

A versatile technique based on rapid self-assembly of cells and ECM material in different shapes using microfabricated molds was introduced to form multicellular tissue constructs. The self-assembly process took less than six hours and produced a mechanically robust tissue construct that could be handled easily. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Effect of FGF/FGFR Pathway Blocking on Lung Adenocarcinoma and Its Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

The authors found that cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-secreted fibroblast growth factor (Fgf)2 contributed to tumor cell growth. CAFs overexpressed Tgfb, Mmp7, Fgf9, and Fgf2; synthesized more collagen, and secreted inflammatory cell-recruiting cytokines. [J Pathol] Abstract

FABP4 Contributes to Renal Interstitial Fibrosis via Mediating Inflammation and Lipid Metabolism

LPS-stimulated in vitro models on NRK-52E and NRK-49F cells, and in vivo UUO models in rats and mice were established. The results showed that comparing with control groups or sham groups, the expression levels of α-SMA, COL1A, COL3A, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated cells or UUO animals were significantly increased. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

RNA Sequencing Reveals MMP2 and TGFB1 Downregulation in LRRK2 G2019S Parkinson’s iPSC-Derived Astrocytes

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), which has been shown to inhibit microglial inflammatory response in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), which has been shown to degrade α-synuclein aggregates, were found to be down-regulated in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S astrocytes. [Neurobiol Dis] Abstract

A Disintegrin-Like and Metalloproteinase Domain with Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif 9 (ADAMTS9) Regulates Fibronectin Fibrillogenesis and Turnover

Proteolytically active ADAMTS9, but not a catalytically inactive variant, disrupted fibronectin fibril networks formed by fibroblasts in vitro, and ADAMTS9-deficient RPE1 cells assembled a robust fibronectin fibril network, unlike wild type cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Chondroprotective Effects of Platelet Lysate towards Monoiodoacetate-Induced Arthritis by Suppression of TNF-α-Induced Activation of NF-ĸB Pathway in Chondrocytes

Researchers showed that, in vivo, platelet lysate (PL) significantly attenuated pain symptoms and exerted chondrocyte-protective and ECM-modifying effect on the arthritic cartilage in a dose-dependent manner. The in situ expressions of type II collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 13 in the arthritic cartilage was abnormal and was restored by PL. [Aging (Albany NY)] Full Article

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The Role of Sirtuin 1 and Its Activator, Resveratrol in Osteoarthritis

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) can regulate the expression of ECM-related proteins; promote mesenchymal stem cell differentiation; play anti-catabolic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis roles; participate in the autophagic process; and regulate bone homeostasis in osteoarthritis (OA). In the future, activating SIRT 1 via resveratrol with improved bioavailability may be an appropriate therapeutic approach for OA. [Biosci Rep] Full Article

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

PolarityTE Announces Clinical Data from Two Studies Showing 12-Week Closure of Difficult-to-Treat Lower Extremity Chronic Wounds Using SkinTE

PolarityTE, Inc. announced data from two pilot studies on the use of its SkinTE™ product both showing successful closure of diabetic foot ulcers and venous stasis leg ulcers within a 12-week period. [Press release from PolarityTE, Inc. discussing research presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring Conference, San Antonio] Press Release

Generex Biotechnology Announces That Its Subsidiary Olaregen Therapeutix Launches Excellagen

Generex Biotechnology Corporation announced that its subsidiary, Olaregen Therapeutix has officially launched Excellagen Wound Conforming Matrix. [Press release from Generex Biotechnology Corporation discussing research presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Spring Conference, San Antonio] Press Release

LifeNet Health Unveils Center of Excellence for Research in San Diego

LifeNet Health announced the opening of a San Diego facility that stands as a Center of Excellence for its life sciences and tissue-engineering programs, as well as a logistical hub for hospital and surgeon clients on the West Coast. [LifeNet Health] Press Release

MDI Biological Laboratory Receives $18 Million for Biomedical Research and Training

The MDI Biological Laboratory has received an award of nearly $18 million from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, an institute of the National Institutes of Health, for the renewal of a grant to strengthen biomedical research and research training in Maine. [MDI Biological Laboratory] Press Release

Senate Panel Delays Good-Government Bill, Scolds HHS for ‘Moving the Goal Posts’

A Senate panel delayed action on a bipartisan bill to improve government transparency among advisory bodies in deference to concerns from the National Institutes of Health that the legislation would seriously disrupt the agency’s ability to review research proposals. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

To Meet the ‘Plan S’ Open-Access Mandate, Journals Mull Setting Papers Free at Publication

Plan S, the funder-backed scheme to require free online access to scientific literature, aims to shake up the subscription journals that have long dominated scholarly publishing. Now, some publishers are considering an approach they hope will both comply with the plan and maintain their subscription income: allowing authors to post manuscripts in public archives as soon as their papers are published. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Indonesia Tops Open-Access Publishing Charts

European funders have been leading a charge under ‘Plan S’ to make more of the scientific literature free to read. Yet the nations that publish the highest proportion of their research papers open access aren’t in Europe, according to a preliminary analysis shared with Nature. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 11^th World Biomaterials Congress
May 19-24, 2020
Glasgow, Scotland

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NEW Scientist – Matrix Biology (Stemcell Techonologies)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Hydrogel Chemistry & Kidney Tissue Engineering (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)

Head of School – Biomedical Engineering (University of Sydney)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Renal Extracellular Matrix Research (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Associate – Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury & Fibrosis (University of Connecticut Health Center)

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

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

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

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Tissue Engineering (BioTis)

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

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