Extracellular Matrix News Volume 10.34 | Sep 5 2019

TOP STORY

Cancer Cells ‘Corrupt’ Their Healthy Neighbors

The healthy cells immediately surrounding a tumor become more stem cell-like and support cancer growth. The discovery was made using a new state-of-the-art technique developed in order to study the tissue around a tumor – called the tumor microenvironment – known to influence the growth and spread of cancer, as well as treatment response. [Press release from The Francis Crick Institute discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Integrin Nanoclusters Can Bridge Thin Matrix Fibres to Form Cell-Matrix Adhesions

To understand the fiber geometries that are required for adhesion formation, researchers patterned nanolines of various line widths and arrangements in single, crossing or paired arrays with the integrin-binding peptide Arg-Gly-Asp. [Nat Mater] Abstract

Proteomic Analyses of ECM during Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression Reveal Different Contributions by Tumor and Stromal Cells

Scientists used quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to characterize ECM proteins in normal pancreas and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia- and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-bearing pancreas from both human patients and mouse genetic models, as well as chronic pancreatitis patient samples. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Syndecan-Mediated Ligation of ECM Proteins Triggers Proliferative Arrest of Disseminated Tumor Cells

Investigators showed that ECM components of the host parenchyma prevented proliferation of disseminated tumor cells that had recently infiltrated foreign tissue by binding to syndecan receptors expressed on the surface of these cells. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Abrogation of EMILIN1-β1 Integrin Interaction Promotes Experimental Colitis and Colon Carcinogenesis

The authors demonstrated that the expression of the ECM molecule EMILIN-1 halted the development of AOM-DSS induced tumors. In fact, upon AOM-DSS treatment Emilin1^−/− mice were characterized by a higher tumor incidence, bigger adenomas and less survival. [Matrix Biol] Full Article

GFAP Alternative Splicing Regulates Glioma Cell-ECM Interaction in a DUSP4-Dependent Manner

By focusing on pathways up- and downstream of dual-specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) that were involved in cell-extracellular matrix interaction, researchers showed that a high glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-δ/α ratio equipped glioma cells to better invade the brain. [FASEB J] Abstract

Adipose Tissue Contribution to Plasma Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Fibroblast Activation Protein in Obesity

Scientists investigated whether fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and/or fibroblast activation protein (FAP) were secreted from human white adipose tissue of individuals with obesity by measuring total FGF21, active FGF21, and FAP concentrations in arterialized blood and venous blood draining subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. [Int J Obes] Abstract

Advanced Glycation End-Products Suppress Mitochondrial Function and Proliferative Capacity of Achilles Tendon-Derived Fibroblasts

Investigators demonstrated that tendon fibroblasts treated with advanced glycation end-products displayed reduced ATP production, electron transport efficiency, and proliferative capacity. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Actin Cytoskeletal Reorganization Function of JRAB/MICAL-L2 Is Fine-Tuned by Intramolecular Interaction between First LIM Zinc Finger and C-Terminal Coiled-Coil Domains

Researchers report that the LIM domain, independent of the C-terminus, was also necessary for the function of open-form JRAB/MICAL-L2. In mechanistic terms, two zinc finger domains within the LIM domain bound the first and second molecules of actin at the minus end, potentially inhibiting the depolymerization of actin filaments. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Exploring the Roles of MACIT and Multiplexin Collagens in Stem Cells and Cancer

The authors summarize the current knowledge about membrane-associated collagens with interrupted triple-helices (MACITs) and multiplexins as regulators of stemness and oncogenic processes, as well as their roles in influencing cell fate decisions in healthy and cancerous tissues. [Semin Cancer Biol] Abstract

Role of Meprin Metalloproteases in Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment

Investigators summarize the current findings on meprins’ functions, expression, and cancer-associated variants with possible implications for tumor progression and metastasis. [Cancer Metastasis Rev] Abstract

Exploring the Extracellular Matrix in Health and Disease Using Proteomics

Scientists provide an overview of the latest methodological advances in sample preparation and mass spectrometry-based proteomics that have permitted the profiling of the ECM of now dozens of normal and diseased tissues, including tumors and fibrotic lesions. [Essays Biochem] Abstract

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

ICRF Announces $4.3M in Cancer Research Grants

The US-based Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF), founded in 1975 by a group of American and Canadian medical researchers and oncologists, announced 69 grants worth $4.3 million to researchers at ten different institutions. [Israel Cancer Research Fund] Press Release

Saint Joseph Mercy Gets $19.3 Million Grant for Cancer Treatment

The Michigan Cancer Research Consortium, led by St. Joseph Mercy, was one of 34 grant recipients in the National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program, a national network focused on community-based cancer care, according to a release from the health system. [Michigan Cancer Research Consortium] Press Release

World Health Organization Backs Open-Access Plan S

The World Health Organization is joining cOAlition S, a growing group of agencies and charities that fund scientific research and that require their grantees to share their work in open-access journals or repositories. [The Scientist] Editorial

New Memo Offers First Glimpse of How Trump’s Science Adviser Would Like to Shape Spending Priorities

A new White House directive laying out next year’s spending priorities for federal research agencies describes a US science enterprise imperiled by internal problems and foreign governments. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Hypoxia – Molecules, Mechanisms and Disease
January 19-23, 2020
Keystone, Colorado, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology (University of Manchester)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Wound Healing (University of Pennsylvania)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Matrix Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Proteoglycans in Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (Drexel University)

Lab Specialist – ECM of the Eye (The University of Utah)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Engineering Human Tissues (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Mechanisms of Psychiatric Disorders (McLean Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position – Receptor Biology (Scripps Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Circulating Extracellular RNAs in Reproductive Medicine (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Intercellular Signaling Inflammation and Atherosclerosis (University of California, San Francisco)

Research Scientist – Intestinal Injury/Tissue Engineering (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Bioengineering of 4D Scaffold Development (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

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