Extracellular Matrix News Volume 11.04 | Feb 6 2020

TOP STORY

Compartmentalized Microbes and Co-Cultures in Hydrogels for On-Demand Bioproduction and Preservation

Researchers describe a hydrogel system for harnessing the bioactivity of embedded microbes for on-demand small molecule and peptide production in microbial mono-culture and consortia. This platform bypassed the challenges of engineering a multi-organism consortia by utilizing a temperature-responsive, shear-thinning hydrogel to compartmentalize organisms into polymeric hydrogels that controlled the final consortium composition and dynamics without the need for synthetic control of mutualism. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Basement Membrane Regulates Fibronectin Organization Using Sliding Focal Adhesions Driven by a Contractile Winch

Scientists discovered that basement membrane and its major components could induce rapid, strikingly robust fibronectin organization. In this new matrix assembly mechanism, α5β1 integrin-based focal adhesions slid actively on the underlying matrix toward the ventral cell center through the dynamic shortening of myosin IIA-associated actin stress fibers to drive rapid fibronectin fibrillogenesis distal to the adhesion. [Dev Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Proteomic Profiling of the ECM of Xenograft Breast Cancer Metastases in Different Organs Reveals Distinct Metastatic Niches

The authors used quantitative mass spectrometry to analyze the ECM, a critical component of metastatic niches, in metastases to the brain, lungs, liver and bone marrow, all derived from parental MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Tumor and stromal cells cooperated in forming niches; stromal cells produced predominantly core, structural ECM proteins and tumor cells produced a diverse array of ECM-associated proteins, including secreted factors and modulators of the matrix. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Lipidome-Based Rapid Diagnosis with Machine Learning for Detection of TGF-β Signaling Activated Area in Head and Neck Cancer

Researchers established a rapid diagnostic system based on the combination of probe electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and machine learning without the aid of immunohistological and biochemical procedures to identify tumor areas with heterogeneous TGF-β signaling status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Three-Dimensional Periodontal Tissue Regeneration Using a Bone-Ligament Complex Cell Sheet

Investigators fabricated a three-dimensional complex cell sheet composed of a bone-ligament structure by layering periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and osteoblast-like cells on a temperature responsive culture dish. Following ectopic and orthotopic transplantation, only the complex cell sheet group was demonstrated to anatomically regenerate the bone-ligament structure along with the functional connection of PDL-like fibers to the tooth root and alveolar bone. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Sox2 Controls Schwann Cell Self-Organization through Fibronectin Fibrillogenesis

Investigators demonstrated that Sox2 regulated Schwann cell behavior through the up-regulation of multiple ECM and migration genes as well as the formation of focal adhesions during cell movement. They found that mouse primary sensory neurons and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motoneurons required the Sox2-dependent fibronectin matrix in order to migrate along oriented Schwann cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Platelet Lysate-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles in a Thermo-Responsive Hydrogel Intended for the Treatment of Wounds

Researchers found through measures of transepidermal water loss that a hydrogel containing nanoparticles was capable of providing a semi-occlusive environment, necessary for the recovery of a wound. The inclusion of lysate in nanoparticles and this in turn in the hydrogel allowed a gradual release, which avoided contact of the total dose with the biological medium. [Eur J Pharm Sci] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of CodY-Mediated Cell Aggregation in Staphylococcus aureus Reveals an Interaction Between eDNA and Polysaccharide in the Extracellular Matrix

codY mutant cells of a strain producing a robust biofilm elaborate pro-aggregation surface associated features not present on codY mutant cells that did not produce a robust biofilm. Biochemical analysis of the clinical isolate SA564, which aggregated when deficient for CodY, revealed these features were sensitive to nuclease treatment and are resistant to protease exposure. [J Bacteriol] Abstract

Dynamic and Programmable Cellular-Scale Granules Enable Tissue-Like Materials

The authors designed a hybrid material system featuring cell-like granules embedded in ECM-like hydrogel matrices. They report that this composite readily displayed tissue-like properties, including strain-stiffening, anisotropy, programmability, mechanochemistry, and self-healability. [Matter] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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The Current State of Tissue Engineering in the Management of Hypospadias

The use of tissue-engineered constructs in preclinical studies is still hindered by complications such as strictures or fistulae, which have slowed progression to clinical application. Furthermore, the generation of uniform tubular constructs remains a challenge. Exciting advances in the application of nanotechnology and 3D bioprinting to urethral tissue engineering might present solutions to these issues. [Nat Rev Urol] Abstract

The Life Cycle of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts within the Tumor Stroma and Its Importance in Disease Outcome

Amid a rising clinical interest in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as a crucial force for disease progression, the authors contextualize the CAF phenotype using the chronological framework of the CAF life cycle within the evolving tumor stroma, ranging from quiescent fibroblasts to highly proliferative and secretory CAFs. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

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

Microcures Advances Burn Wound Healing Program under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR)

MicroCures announced the advancement of its ongoing collaborative research project with the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research in the area of burn wound healing. [MicroCures, Inc.] Press Release

Synedgen Receives $2.6 Million in Private Financing for Wound Care Portfolio

Synedgen announced that it has received $2.6 million in private financing to fund the commercialization of Catasyn™ Advanced Technology Wound Hydrogel and SynePure™ Wound Cleanser, two FDA 510(k)-cleared products that form part of Synedgen’s Wound Care portfolio. [Synedgen, Inc.] Press Release

Why Did a Chinese University Hire Charles Lieber to Do Battery Research?

Among the ongoing mysteries surrounding last week’s arrest of Harvard University nanoscientist Charles Lieber is the precise nature of the research program Lieber was conducting in his cooperation with Chinese researchers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Cash from Cannabis Companies Creates Conflicted Researchers

Imagine that scientists charged with doing research on tobacco’s health implications were funded by tobacco companies. In fact, the tobacco industry used this tactic for decades to cast doubt on the adverse health effects of smoking. But today it would be an outrageous conflict of interest – research on addictive drugs shouldn’t be paid for by people who stand to profit from selling them. Yet this is exactly what is happening with cannabis. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Diverse Organisms and Common Mechanisms in Cell-Cell Fusion
May 31-June 5, 2020
Easton, Massachusetts, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms of TGF-Beta Activiation (Genetech, Inc.)

Research Associate – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase (Vascular Biology Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Biology (Medical University of Gdańsk)

Research Associate – Oncology (Zymeworks Inc.)

Research Fellow – Cell Signaling (University of Sussex)

Research Scientist – Tumor Microenvironment (Systimmune, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Tumor Microenvironment (Personalis, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Tumor Microenvironment (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (Xtant Medical, Inc.)

Master Thesis – Hydrogels and Microfluid Environments (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

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