Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.20 | May 30 2019

TOP STORY

Key Link Discovered between Tissue Cell Type and Different Forms of Arthritis

Researchers showed that different types of fibroblasts – the most common cells of connective tissue in animals – are organized in different layers in the joint and are responsible for two very different forms of arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. [Press release from University of Birmingham discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Collagen Microencapsulation Recapitulates Mesenchymal Condensation and Potentiates Chondrogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells – A Matrix-Driven In Vitro Model of Early Skeletogenesis

Collagen microencapsulation upregulated both the chondrogenic and the osteogenic transcription factors and the encapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells held the potential to differentiate towards both chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. [Biomaterials] Abstract

The Small GTPase Rab5c Is a Key Regulator of Trafficking of the CD93/Multimerin-2/β1 Integrin Complex in Endothelial Cell Adhesion and Migration

Scientists identified the recycling pathway of CD93 following endothelial cell adhesion and migration. They showed that the cytoplasmic domain of CD93, by its interaction with Moesin and F-actin, was instrumental for CD93 retrieval in adhering and migrating cells and that aberrant endosomal trafficking of CD93 prevented its localization at the leading edge of migration. [Cell Commun Signal] Full Article

Transcript Levels for Extracellular Matrix Proteins Are Altered in MK5-Deficient Cardiac Ventricular Fibroblasts

Investigators aimed to determined if MK5 had a potential role in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Ventricular fibroblasts were isolated from MK5^+/+, MK5^+/−, or MK5^−/− mice and maintained in culture on either compliant or rigid substrates to obtain quiescent fibroblasts or activated myofibroblasts, respectively. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Synergistic Effect of Matrix Stiffness and Inflammatory Factors on Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Scientists showed that there was a matrix stiffness-dependent modulation in the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with higher matrix stiffness favoring osteogenesis bias. However, when interleukine-1 beta was added, osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs was suppressed, which was independent of increasing matrix stiffness. [Biophys J] Abstract

Glyoxal Cross‐Linking of Solubilized Extracellular Matrix to Produce Highly Porous, Elastic and Chondro‐Permissive Scaffolds for Orthopedic Tissue Engineering

When seeded with human infrapatellar fat pad derived stromal cells, scaffolds with the lowest concentration of both ECM and glyoxal were found to promote the development of a more hyaline‐like cartilage tissue, as evident by increased sGAG and type II collagen deposition. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Investigating the Effect of Chitosan/Polycaprolactone Blends in Differentiation of Corneal Endothelial Cells and Extracellular Matrix Compositions

Researchers investigated the underlying mechanisms of corneal endothelial cell (CEC) differentiation and identified ECM compositions using a chitosan/polycaprolactone (PCL) blended membrane, hence exploring the potential use of chitosan/PCL blends in tissue engineering of CECs. [Exp Eye Res] Abstract

PLA Electrospun Scaffolds for Three-Dimensional Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Culture

MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells were grown in scaffolds from two different poly(lactic acid) (PLA) concentrations. The appropriateness of electrospun-PLA scaffolds was evaluated using a cell proliferation assay. EGFR and STAT3 gene expression and protein levels were compared in cells grown in 2D versus in 3D cultures. [Polymers (Basel)] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Degradation of Extracellular Matrix by Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Is Essential for the Establishment of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Drosophila

Investigators report that a matrix metalloproteinase, Mmp2, was essential for the establishment of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in Drosophila. In the absence of mmp2, the BBB became leaky, which allowed the tracer to penetrate the brain. [iScience] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Integrins, CAFs and Mechanical Forces in the Progression of Cancer

The authors discuss the role of integrins, as the primary cell-ECM mechanoreceptors, in cancer progression, highlighting integrin-mediated mechanical communication between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). [Cancers] Abstract

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

AveXis Receives FDA Approval for Zolgensma^®, the First and Only Gene Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

AveXis announced the FDA has approved Zolgensma^® for the treatment of pediatric patients less than two years of age with SMA with bi-allelic mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 gene. [Novartis AG] Press Release | Editorial

Karolinska Institutet, KTH and Stockholm University Form the University Alliance Stockholm Trio

An international type model of a university alliance will be established between Karolinska Institutet, KTH and Stockholm University. [Stockholm University] Press Release

Here’s Why the Outcomes of This Week’s European Elections Are Good News for Science

Although populist and euroskeptic parties grew in last week’s elections for the European Parliament, the tsunami that EU supporters feared didn’t happen. That comes as a relief to many scientists, because several of the populist movements now on the rise in Europe appear to have little interest in science, flirt with antiscientific ideas, or have tried to curtail academic freedom. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

White House Sends Mixed Messages on 2020 Research Spending Bills

President Donald Trump doesn’t want Congress to boost the budgets of the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation. But he has no objection to giving more research dollars to parts of the Department of Energy and NASA. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Epithelial Differentiation and Keratinization
July 7-12, 2019
Newry, Maine, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellowships – Kidney Disease (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)

Scientist – Matrix Biology (STEMCELL Techonologies Inc.)

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

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

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