Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.13 | Apr 7 2011

OXiGENE’S Novel Cathepsin L Inhibitors Demonstrate Antitumor Efficacy in Preclinical Studies
Findings strongly support a mechanism of action where KGP94 affects the ability of cathepsin-L to break down extracellular matrix, which is important in invasive and angiogenic processes. [Press release from OXiGENE, Inc. discussing research presented at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research]

Proteoglycan-Specific Molecular Switch for RPTPσ Clustering and Neuronal Extension
Researchers report that receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (RPTPσ) acts bimodally in sensory neuron extension, mediating chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan inhibition and heparan sulfate proteoglycan growth promotion. [Science]

A Novel Family of Biodegradable Poly(ester amide) Elastomers
This study sheds light on the structure-property relationship behind designing biodegradable elastomeric materials. [Adv Mater]

Functional Characterization of Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells Under Cyclic Mechanical Strain in a Degradable Polyurethane Scaffold
The study highlights the importance of implementing physiologically-relevant biomechanical stimuli in the development of synthetic elastomeric tissue engineering scaffolds. [Biomaterials]

Development of Bioengineered Human Larynx
Using a decellularization method, researchers are now able to obtain, in a short and clinically useful time, natural bioengineered laryngeal scaffolds which could be use for partial or total implantation in humans. [Biomaterials]

Collagen Fragments Inhibit Hyaluronan Synthesis in Skin Fibroblasts in Response to UVB: New Insights into Mechanisms of Matrix Remodeling
The aim of the present study was to explore whether collagen degradation causes inhibition of hyaluronic acid synthesis in human skin fibroblasts. [J Biol Chem]

A Systems Biology Approach for the Investigation of the Heparin/Heparan Sulfate Interactome
Researchers systematically investigate the functional and structural properties that characterize HS-interacting proteins and the network they form. [J Biol Chem]

Essential Roles of Fibronectin in the Development of the Left-Right Embryonic Body Plan
The studies demonstrate the requisite role for a structural extracellular matrix protein and its integrin receptor in the development of the left-right axis of asymmetry in vertebrates. [Dev Biol]

Study of Cell-Matrix Adhesion Dynamics Using Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging Ellipsometry
Researchers developed surface plasmon resonance imaging ellipsometry (SPRIE) to provide high contrast images of the cell-matrix interface in unlabeled living cells. [Biophys J]

Three-Dimensional Traction Force Microscopy: A New Tool for Quantifying Cell-Matrix Interactions
An application of the newly developed three-dimensional traction force microscopy technique to single cell migration studies of 3T3 fibroblasts is presented to show that this methodology offers a new quantitative vantage point to investigate the three-dimensional nature of cell-ECM interactions. [PLoS ONE]

Differential and Restricted Expression of Novel Collagen VI Chains in Mouse
Researchers compared the tissue distribution of the novel collagen VI chains in mouse with that of the α3 chain by immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy and immunoblots. [Matrix Biol]

Mount Sinai Hospital Opens New Centre for Regenerative Medicine
Mount Sinai Hospital’s internationally respected Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute announced the opening of a new Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Musculoskeletal Research at 25 Orde Street. [Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute Press Release]

Report to Nation Finds Continued Declines in Many Cancer Rates
Rates of death in the United States from all cancers for men and women continued to decline between 2003 and 2007, the most recent reporting period available, according to the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

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 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
June 3-7, 2011
Chicago, United States

NEW The 2012 London Regenerative Medicine Event
February 16, 2012
London, United Kingdom

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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