Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.09 | Mar 10 2011

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Solving the Riddle of Nature’s Perfect Spring
Scientists have unraveled the shape of the protein that gives human tissues their elastic properties in what could lead to the development of new synthetic elastic polymers. [Press release from the University of Manchester discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]

Researchers Illuminate Laminin’s Role in Cancer Formation
Two studies have shown how laminin plays a central role in the development of breast cancer, the second most leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. [Press release from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discussing online prepublication in the Journal of Cell Science]

Shape of Tropoelastin, the Highly Extensible Protein That Controls Human Tissue Elasticity
Researchers present a unique model for head-to-tail assembly which allows for the propagation of tropoelastin’s asymmetric coil through a stacked spring design. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

Cell-ECM Traction Force Modulates Endogenous Tension at Cell-Cell Contacts
The interdependence of cell–cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) forces has significant implications for the maintenance of the mechanical integrity of tissues, mechanotransduction, and tumor mechanobiology. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

A Collagen-Poly(Lactic Acid-co-ε-Caprolactone) Hybrid Scaffold for Bladder Tissue Regeneration
This work describes the potential of plastic compressed collagen-poly(lactic acid-co- ε-caprolactone) hybrids as scaffolds for bladder tissue regeneration. [Biomaterials]

Dynamic Quantitative Visualization of Single Cell Alignment and Migration and Matrix Remodeling in 3D Collagen Hydrogels Under Mechanical Force
Researchers developed a live imaging system enabling dynamic visualization of single cell alignment induced by external mechanical force in a 3D collagen matrix. [Biomaterials]

Depletion of Nuclear Actin Is a Key Mediator of Quiescence in Epithelial Cells
Researchers show that quiescence induced by growth factor withdrawal, or laminin 111 (LN1) addition, rapidly decreases nuclear β-actin. LN1, but not other extracellular matrix molecules, decreases the levels of nuclear β-actin and destabilizes RNA polymerase II and III binding to transcription sites, leading to a dramatic drop in transcription and DNA synthesis. [J Cell Sci]

Rad GTPase Inhibits Cardiac Fibrosis Through Connective Tissue Growth Factor
Rad (Ras associated with diabetes) inhibits connective tissue growth factor expression through binding with CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ, thus regulating extracellular matrix production in the heart. [Cardiovasc Res]

Bit-1 Mediates Integrin-Dependent Cell Survival Through Activation of the NFKB Pathway
Researchers have elucidated an integrin-controlled pathway in which Bit-1 is, in part, responsible for the survival effects of cell-extracellular matrix interactions. [J Biol Chem]

CD44V6 Coordinates Tumor Matrix-Triggered Motility and Apoptosis Resistance
CD44v6 promotes motility and apoptosis resistance via its involvement in assembling a matrix that, in turn, triggers activation of signaling cascades, which proceed, independent of the initiating receptor-ligand interaction, in a concerted action via CD44v6. [J Biol Chem]
 
Regulation of MT1-MMP and MMP-2 by Leptin in Cardiac Fibroblasts Involves Rho/ROCK-Dependent Actin Cytoskeletal Reorganization and Leads to Enhanced Cell Migration
Results suggest that leptin regulates myocardial matrix remodeling by regulating the cell surface localization of MT1-MMP in adult cardiac fibroblasts via Rho/ROCK-dependent actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Subsequent pro-MMP-2 activation then contributes to stimulation of cell migration. [Endocrinology]

Dynamic Tensile Loading Improves the Functional Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Laden Nanofiber-Based Fibrocartilage
Results show that dynamic tensile loading enhances the maturation of mesenchymal stem cell-laden aligned nanofibrous constructs, suggesting that recapitulation of the structural and mechanical environment of load-bearing tissues results in increases in functional properties that can be exploited for tissue engineering applications. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Yissum and Hadasit License Regenerative Polymeric Membrane Implants to RegeneCure
Yissum Research Development Company Ltd. and Hadasit Medical Research Services & Development Ltd. announced that they have licensed innovative regenerative membrane implant technology to RegeneCure, which will further develop and commercialize the technology for bone tissue engineering for applications in trauma, spine, and reconstructive cranial and facial orthopedics. [BusinessWire]

Fibrocell Science, Inc. Accesses Patents from Stanford University on Fibroblast Research to Advance Cell Therapy
Fibrocell Science, Inc. announced that it has entered into a scientific collaboration with University of California, Los Angeles to research the conversion of dermal fibroblasts into pure functional human cell types that may have greater regenerative capacity. In addition, Fibrocell announced they have accessed key patents from Stanford University to enable the process. [Fibrocell Science, Inc. Press Release]
 
Case Western Reserve Positions Regenerative Medicine Center for Future Growth
In a move to streamline and accelerate the research and development of new stem cell and regenerative medicine technologies, the National Center for Regenerative Medicine and the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine at Case Western Reserve University have been rolled into a single entity housed within the university’s School of Medicine. [Case Western Reserve University Press Release]

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)
 
European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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

Lab Technologist – Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Assistant Professor (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering)

Field Applications Specialist – Cell Therapy (Medical) (Pall Corporation)

Postdoctoral Researcher Biophysics of Cell Attachment to Biomaterials (Centre for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials)

Postdoctoral Researcher (University of California – Irvine)

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