Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.03 | Jan 27 2011

TOP STORY

Distinct ECM Mechanosensing Pathways Regulate Microtubule Dynamics to Control Endothelial Cell Branching Morphogenesis  
Compliance and dimensionality extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanosensing pathways independently regulate specific and distinct microtubule dynamics parameters in endothelial cells to guide branching morphogenesis in physically complex ECMs. [J Cell Biol]

A Very Sad Loss – Stem Cell Pioneer Ernest A. McCulloch Passes Away
It is with great sadness that scientists honor the life and extraordinary contributions of Dr. Ernest “Bun” McCulloch who passed away on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011. Dr. McCulloch, along with his close friend and colleague, Dr. James Till, was a pioneer in the field of stem cell research. [Canadian Stem Cell Foundation Press Release]

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Putting Up a Struggle Against Cancer
Scientists have discovered that cells lining the blood vessels secrete molecules that suppress tumor growth and keep cancer cells from invading other tissues, a finding that could lead to a new way to treat cancer. [Press release from Massachusetts Institute of Technology discussing online prepublication in Science Translational Medicine]

Hypoxia Induces Multipotency in Skin Cells, Proteins Produced Trigger Cancer Stem Cell Death
Scientists demonstrated that, in both monolayer and suspension cultures under hypoxic conditions, normal human newborn fibroblasts become multipotent cells and express key pluripotent stem cell markers including Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog as well as a number of tissue and germ layer-specific stem cell markers, such as Brachyury, Gata4, alpha-fetoprotein, and Pax6. [Press release from Histogen, Inc. discussing research presented at the 5th Annual Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine World Congress]

Recapitulation of the Embryonic Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell Niche
Researchers characterized the cardiovascular progenitor cell (CPC) niche in developing human and mouse hearts, identifying signaling pathways and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins that are crucial for CPC maintenance and expansion. Since niches are three dimensional (3D) structures, researchers investigated the impact of a 3D microenvironment that mimics the in vivo niche ECM. [Biomaterials]

Spatially Directed Guidance of Stem Cell Population Migration by Immobilized Patterns of Growth Factors
Results suggest that simple uniform distributions of growth factors immobilized to an extracellular matrix material may be as effective in directing cell migration into a wound site as more complex patterns with concentration gradients. [Biomaterials]

Spatial Control of Gene Expression Within a Scaffold by Localized Inducer Release
By applying the principles of controlled release, it should be possible to control gene expression on a biomaterial surface by the presence or absence of inducer release from the underlying material matrix, thus avoiding alternative techniques that rely upon uptake of relatively labile DNA from material surfaces. [Biomaterials]

Integrative Design of a Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Poly(Propylene Glycol)-Alginate Hydrogel to Control Three Dimensional Biomineralization
This study presents an advanced integrative strategy to control morphology and composition of biominerals with matrix properties, by using a hydrogel formulated to independently control charge density, hydrophobicity, and porosity. [Biomaterials]

Rescuing Replication and Osteogenesis of Aged Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Exposure to a Young Extracellular Matrix
Researchers concluded that aging negatively affects the formation of an extracellular matrix (ECM) that normally preserves mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function, and aged MSCs can be rejuvenated by culture on a young-ECM. [FASEB J]

Cardiogel Supports Adhesion, Proliferation and Differentiation of Stem Cells with Increased Oxidative Stress Protection
The studies support that cardiogel is an efficient biodegradable three dimensional extracellular matrix which supports better growth of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and can be used as a scaffold for stem cell delivery, with potential therapeutic applications in cardiac tissue regeneration. [Eur Cell Mater]

Generation of Cell-Derived 3D Extracellular Matrix Substrates from 2D Endothelial Cell Cultures
Researchers have developed a simple method to isolate and process extracellular matrix (ECM) from endothelial cell cultures to create a three dimensional ECM substrate. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods]

Differential Expression Profiles Between Alpha-Dystroglycan and Integrin Beta1 in Ameloblastoma: Two Possible Perlecan Signaling Pathways for Cellular Growth and Differentiation
Intercellular deposition of perlecan, an extracellular matrix molecule, results in characteristic stellate reticulum-like structures in ameloblastomas. The aims of this study were to elucidate which types of perlecan receptors function within any particular type of tissue architecture of ameloblastoma. [Histopathology]

Hydrostatic Pressure Independently Increases Elastin and Collagen Co-Expression in Small-Diameter Engineered Arterial Constructs
The study investigates the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the biological and mechanical properties of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS)-based engineered arterial constructs. Hydrostatic pressure significantly increased construct burst pressure, collagen and insoluble elastin content, and soluble elastin concentration in culture medium. [J Biomed Mater Res A]

TGF-Beta1 Diminishes Collagen Production During Long-Term Cyclic Stretching of Engineered Connective Tissue: Implication of Decreased ERK Signaling
This study shows that a sequential stimulus approach — cyclic stretching with delayed TGF-beta1 supplementation — can be used to engineer tissue with desirable tensile and elastic properties. [J Biomech]

Stromal Endothelial Cells Directly Influence Cancer Progression
Findings add to an emerging appreciation of endothelial cell (EC)-regulatory effects that transcend their structural roles and pave the way for improved characterization and control of EC-cancer cross-talk interactions for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. [Sci Transl Med]

FibroGen Reports Interim Results of a Phase I/II Trial of FG-3019 in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
FibroGen, Inc. announced interim results of a Phase I/II trial of FG-3019, a therapeutic antibody against connective tissue growth factor, in combination with gemcitabine and erlotinib in individuals with unresectable pancreatic cancer. [FibroGen, Inc. Press Release]

Biomerix Granted CE Mark for its REVIVE™ Soft Tissue Repair Mesh
Biomerix Corporation announced that it has received CE Mark approval for its REVIVE™ soft tissue repair mesh allowing for the marketing of REVIVE in all European Union member states. REVIVE received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2009. [Biomerix Corporation Press Release]

Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation Presents “Beneath the Surface,” a Monthly Science Webinar Series on the Tissue-Biomaterial Interface
The Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation announced a novel webinar series held monthly to bring together experts in biomaterials, implanted devices, biologicals, tissue engineering, and pathology to share new technologies and approaches to applied biological surface science. [PR Web]

Consensus Statement: Statement on Policies and Practices Governing Data and Materials Sharing and Intellectual Property in Stem Cell Science
Tension is increasing between fairly new and pervasive policies and practices governing data and materials sharing and intellectual property in science, and norms of openness and free exchange. While intellectual property rights can bring private investment into areas underfunded by governments and help bridge gaps between scientific invention or discovery and useful technologies, some new and emerging policies and practices risk slowing innovation in research and development and skewing attention toward large markets, to the disadvantage of small markets, such as those for rare diseases and in some emerging economies. [Hinxton Group]

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Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

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Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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