Extracellular Matrix News Volume 11.11 | Mar 26 2020

TOP STORY

The Secreted Protease Adamts18 Links Hormone Action to Activation of the Mammary Stem Cell Niche

Adamts18 was required for stem cell activation, had multiple binding partners in the basement membrane and interacted genetically with the basal membrane-specific proteoglycan, Col18a1, pointing to the basement membrane as part of the stem cell niche. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Metastasis of Cholangiocarcinoma Is Promoted by Extended High-Mannose Glycans

Exclusive elucidation of differentially expressed membrane glycoproteins and molecular modeling suggested that extended high-mannose glycosylation at the helical domain of transferrin receptor protein 1 promoted conformational changes that improved noncovalent interaction energies and led to enhancement of cell migration in metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Engineering Microenvironment for Endogenous Neural Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury by Reassembling Extracellular Matrix

The post-spinal cord injury cavity was bridged by a functional self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel coupled with growth factors “cocktail”. A sustained release of growth factors was achieved by carefully tailoring the physical hindrances and charge-induced interactions between the growth factors and the peptide nanofibers. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Long Non-Coding RNA GRASLND Enhances Chondrogenesis via Suppression of Interferon Type II Signaling Pathway

Investigators identified the novel long non-coding (lnc)RNA GRASLND as a regulator of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis. GRASLND, a primate-specific lncRNA, was upregulated during MSC chondrogenesis and appeared to act directly downstream of SOX9, but not TGF-b3. [eLife] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix-Inducing Sox9 Promotes Both Basal Progenitor Proliferation and Gliogenesis in Developing Neocortex

Scientists showed that the transcription factor Sox9 drove expression of ECM components and that laminin 211 increased basal progenitor (BP) proliferation in embryonic mouse neocortex. They showed that Sox9 was expressed in human and ferret BPs and was required for BP proliferation in embryonic ferret neocortex. [eLife] Abstract

Computational Model Predicts Paracrine and Intracellular Drivers of Fibroblast Phenotype after Myocardial Infarction

Researchers extended a computational model to simulate the dynamics of fibroblast signaling and fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI) in response to time-dependent data for nine paracrine stimuli. This computational model was validated against dynamic collagen expression and collagen area fraction data from post-infarction rat hearts. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Biomimetic Mineralizable Collagen Hydrogels for Dynamic Bone Matrix Formation to Promote Osteogenesis

The authors prepared a biomimetic mineralizable collagen hydrogel (CAV) and explored the effects of a dynamic mineralized matrix on the osteogenesis of stem cells both in vitro and in vivo. They showed the feasibility of the biomimetic CAV hydrogel to induce mineralization in simulated media including simulated body fluid , glycerol phosphate calcium salt hydrate solution and cell co-cultured systems. [J Mater Chem B] Abstract

Multiplexed Ion Beam Imaging (MIBI) for Characterization of the Tumor Microenvironment across Tumor Types

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from tumor biopsies were simultaneously stained with a panel of 15 antibodies, each labeled with a specific metal isotope. Multi-step processing produced images of the tumor microenvironment that were further segmented into single cells. [Lab Invest] Abstract

A New Method for Fibrin-Based Electrospun/Sprayed Scaffold Fabrication

Scientists produced a bilayered fibrin/polyurethane scaffold by combination of the electrospun method and the spray, phase-inversion method for the preparation of a fibrin nanostructured layer to be attached onto a poly(ether)urethane microporous support layer. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Novel Hyaluronic Acid-Polynucleotide Complex Dermal Filler

The characteristics of hyaluronic acid (HA) and HA-Polynucleotide fillers were compared using scanning electron microscopy and rheometry. No morphological difference was noted between the fillers. However, the latter had higher viscosity and elasticity values. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Transparent Support Media for High Resolution 3D Printing of Volumetric Cell-Containing ECM Structures

Researchers characterized a uniquely formulated media used to support printing of ECM-based biomaterials. They showed that a hybrid material, comprised of calcium-alginate nanoparticles and xanthan gum, presented superb qualities that enabled printing at high resolution of down to ten microns, allowing fabrication of complex constructs and cellular structures. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

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Turning Cold into Hot: Firing up the Tumor Microenvironment

The authors present recent technical advances to explore the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Then they discuss how innate immune sensing machinery, genetic alterations of oncogenic signaling, cellular metabolism, and epigenetic factors are involved in modulating the TME. [Trends Cancer] Abstract

Tumor Cell Secretome in Chemoresistance and Tumor Recurrence

Scientists utline how the tumor cell secretome (TCS) can protect cancer cells from chemotherapy-induced cell death. They also highlight recent evidence describing how therapy-induced TCS can impact cancer stem cell expansion and tumor-associated immune cells to enable tumor regrowth and antitumor immunity. [Trends Cancer] Full Article

Skeletal Muscle Extracellular Matrix – What Do We Know About Its Composition, Regulation, and Physiological Roles? A Narrative Review

It is a frequently overlooked fact that muscle fibers reside in a three-dimensional scaffolding that consists of various collagens, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and elastin, and is commonly referred to as ECM. While initially believed to be relatively inert, current research reveals the involvement of ECM cells in numerous important physiological processes. [Front Phys] Full Article

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

CytomX Therapeutics and Astellas Announce Strategic Collaboration to Develop Probody^® T-Cell Engaging Bispecific Therapies for Treatment of Cancer

CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. announced they have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement focused on the discovery, research, development and commercialization of novel T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies targeting CD3 and tumor cell surface antigens for the treatment of cancer. [CytomX Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Morgridge Part of National Effort to Improve Healing of Complex Wounds

The Morgridge Institute for Research is part of a multi-institution research project to develop a device that improves muscle tissue healing for serious injuries, using a combination of artificial intelligence, bioelectronics, and regenerative medicine. [The Morgridge Institute for Research] Press Release

Do Preprints Improve with Peer Review? A Little, One Study Suggests

Every day, scientists post dozens of preprints—studies that have not been peer reviewed—on public servers such as bioRxiv. Preprints allow scientists access to cutting-edge findings faster than when authors submit their findings to traditional journals, which often take months to complete reviews. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

COVID-19: Biomedical Research in a World under Social-Distancing Measures

Cancelled conferences and overpriced consumables: how can biomedical research function when the lab is out of reach? [Nature News] Editorial

In light of COVID-19, many conferences are being cancelled or postponed. As such:

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We encourage you to visit event sites directly for updates.

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NEW Principle Investigator – Regenerative Medicine (Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health)

Faculty Member – Lung ECM Biology (NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

Postdoctoral Researcher – ECM Remodeling in Breast Cancer (Institute of Cancer Research)

Department Head – Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (University of Illinois College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Myometrial ECM (University of Vermont)

Investigator – Single Cell Genomics (GlaxoSmithKline USA)

Researcher – Biomaterials Scientist (Aspect Biosystems)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Regulatory RNA and Cell-Cell Communication (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase (Vascular Biology Center)

Research Associate – Oncology (Zymeworks, Inc.)

Research Scientist – Tumor Microenvironment (Systimmune, Inc.)

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