Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.12 | Mar 31 2011

Scientists Develop Two-Component Polymer Scaffolds for Controlled Three-Dimensional Cell Culture
Researchers succeeded in specifically cultivating cells on three-dimensional structures. The fascinating thing is that the cells are offered small “holds” in the micrometer range on the scaffold, to which they can adhere. [Press release from DFG Center for Functional Nanostructures discussing online prepublication in Advanced Materials]

Two-Component Polymer Scaffolds for Controlled Three-Dimensional Cell Culture
Two-component 3D polymer scaffolds with distinct mechanical and protein-binding properties are fabricated using direct laser writing. With this method, full control over the formation of cell adhesion sites and, consequently, cell shape in three dimensions can be achieved. [Adv Mater]

Adipogenic Histone Mark Regulation by Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 in Collagen-Rich Microenvironments
MMP14-dependent collagenolysis plays the major role in regulating adipogenic histone marks by releasing the epigenetic constraints imposed by fibrillar type I collagen. [Mol Endocrinol]

A Forward Loop Between Glioma and Microglia: Glioma-Derived Extracellular Matrix-Activated Microglia Secrete IL-18 to Enhance the Migration of Glioma Cells
Results indicate that IL-18 secreted by microglia, which was activated by C6 glioma-derived extracellular matrix, enhanced migration of C6 glioma through NO/cGMP pathway. [J Cell Physiol]

Endothelial Cell Microparticles Act as Centers of Matrix Metalloproteinsase-2 (MMP-2) Activation and Vascular Matrix Remodeling
Researchers investigated the role of microparticles in matrix remodeling by analyzing their interactions with the extracellular matrix. [J Cell Physiol]

MAP Kinase Mediates Silica Induced Fibrotic Nodule Formation and Collagen Accumulation in Fibroblasts
Researchers established a new strategy through which the effects of silica on fibrotic nodule formation, key extracellular matrix accumulation and the mechanism involved were explored. [J Cell Physiol]

Systemic Administration of High-Molecular Weight Hyaluronan Stimulates Wound Healing in Genetically Diabetic Mice
Researchers used an incisional wound healing model in genetically diabetic mice to test the effects of systemic injection of hyaluronic acid. [Biochim Biophys Acta]

Engineering Strategies to Recapitulate Epithelial Morphogenesis Within Synthetic Three-Dimensional Extracellular Matrix with Tunable Mechanical Properties
Researchers describe the use of extracellular matrix-adsorbed, synthetic, self-assembling peptide gels that are able to recapitulate normal epithelial acini morphogenesis and gene expression in a 3D context. [Phys Biol]

Integrin αvß3 Promotes Vitronectin Gene Expression in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells by Implicating Rel Transcription Factors
Researchers characterized cellular vitronectin (VN) expression as a function of αvß3 and noticed significant upregulation of VN protein which was reflected by elevated VN gene transcription. [J Cell Biochem]

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Derived from Human Adipose Tissue as a Potential Scaffold for Allograft Tissue Engineering
Results suggest that the decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) containing biological and chemical cues of native human ECM could be an ideal scaffold material not only for autologous but also for allograft tissue engineering. [J Biomed Mater Res A]

Incorporation of Biomimetic Matrix Molecules in PEG Hydrogels Enhances Matrix Deposition and Reduces Load-Induced Loss of Chondrocyte-Secreted Matrix
Results highlight the importance of extracellular matrix analogs, specifically hyaluronan and Link-N, in matrix retention and matrix development and offer new strategies for designing scaffolds for cartilage regeneration. [J Biomed Mater Res A]

Measurement of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9-Mediated Collagen Type III Degradation Fragment as a Marker of Skin Fibrosis
Increased levels in mouse urine of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 mediated collagen III degradation fragment CO3-610 were correlated with skin fibrosis progression, suggesting that CO3-610 may be a potential positive biomarker to study the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis in mice. [BMC Dermatol]

MUSC Spin-Off Receives Two Wound-Healing Patents
FirstString Research, Inc., a biotechnology company sprung from a Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) lab, has received two patents for intellectual property protection for further development and commercialization of its regenerative medicine technology. [PR Newswire]

ReGen Response to FDA 24 Hour Summary of March 23, 2010 Panel Meeting
Subsequent to the March 23, 2010 Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel meeting to discuss ReGen Biologics, Inc.’s collagen scaffold device, FDA published a 24-hour summary of the panel recommendations. However, FDA’s summary does not accurately reflect the panel’s discussion. [ReGen Biologics, Inc. Press Release]

Tengion Announces Addition of Two Renal Experts to Research & Development Advisors Panel
Tengion, Inc. announced the addition of two renal research and clinical experts, Ben Humphreys, M.D., Ph.D. and Giuseppe Remuzzi, M.D., F.R.C.P., from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Mario Negri Institute respectively, to its panel of Research & Development Advisors. [Tengion, Inc. Press Release]

Two New Basic Science Departments Established
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has created two new basic science departments – the Department of Neuroscience and the Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology. [University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 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)

NEW Cancer Proteomics 2011 – Systems Biology, Developmental Models & Data Integration
June 20-23, 2011
Dublin, Ireland 

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)

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Smooth Muscle Biology (Boston University Medical School)

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

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

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