Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.17 | May 5 2011

Thrombospondin 1 Inhibits Inflammatory Lymphangiogenesis by CD36 Ligation on Monocytes
Here, researchers show that thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a multifunctional extracellular matrix protein and naturally occurring inhibitor of angiogenesis inhibits lymphangiogenesis in mice. [J Exp Med]

The In Vivo Performance of an Enzyme-Assisted Self-Assembled Peptide/Protein Hydrogel
Researchers demonstrate the distribution of the important extracellular matrix protein laminin in a novel biomaterial consisting of a hydrogel underpinned by nanofibrillar networks. [Biomaterials]

Unique Roles of Phosphorus in Endochondral Bone Formation and Osteocyte Maturation
Researchers showed (1) that abnormal bone remodeling in Dmp1 null mice is due to reduced osteoclast number, which is secondary to a reduced ratio of RANKL/OPG expressed by osteoclast supporting cells and (2) that osteoblast extracellular matrix mineralization, growth plate maturation, secondary ossification center formation, and osteoblast differentiation are phosphate-dependent. [J Bone Miner Res]

Fibrin Gel Improves the Survival of Transplanted Myoblasts
To avoid the lack of attachment of the cells to an extracellular matrix after the transplantation, which is the cause of anoikis, researchers tested the use of a fibrin gel for myoblast transplantation. [Cell Transplant]

Gradients with Depth in Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds for Directed Cell Behavior
This study focused on creating durotactic (mechanical) and haptotactic (adhesive) gradients through the thickness of electrospun hyaluronic acid (HA) scaffolds using a unique, yet simple, modification of common electrospinning protocols. [Biomacromolecules]

LARGE Expression Augments the Glycosylation of Glycoproteins in Addition to α-Dystroglycan Conferring Laminin Binding
The results indicate that overexpression of LARGE catalyzes the glycosylation of at least one other glycoprotein in addition to α-dystroglycan, and that this glycosylation(s) promotes laminin binding activity. [PLoS ONE]

ALMS1-Deficient Fibroblasts Over-Express Extra-Cellular Matrix Components, Display Cell Cycle Delay and Are Resistant to Apoptosis
To focus on the role of ALMS1 mutations in the generation and maintenance of this pathological fibrosis, researchers performed gene expression analysis, ultrastructural characterization and functional assays in 4 dermal fibroblast cultures from ALMS patients. [PLoS ONE]

Cell-Mediated Deposition of Porous Silica on Bacterial Biofilms
Researchers have developed a novel biomimetic encapsulation technique whereby endogenous extracellular matrix molecules facilitate formation of a cell surface specific biomineral layer. [Biotechnol Bioeng]

Controlled and Sustained Gene Delivery from Injectable, Porous PLGA Scaffolds
In this study, researchers present an injectable, porous PLGA scaffold that solidifies in situ for controlled gene delivery. [J Biomed Mater Res A]

Establishment of Fibrillin-Deficient Osteoprogenitor Cell Lines Identifies Molecular Abnormalities Associated with Extracellular Matrix Perturbation of Osteogenic Differentiation
Here, researchers demonstrated that stable expression of small hairpin RNAs against fibrillin-1(Fbn1) or fibrillin-2 (Fbn2) transcripts in the clonal osteoprogenitor cell line Kusa-A1 led to the same phenotypic and molecular manifestations as germline Fbn1- or Fbn2-null mutations in primary calvarial osteoblast cultures. [Cell Tissue Res]

Halozyme Therapeutics to Present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference on May 12
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products targeting the extracellular matrix, announced that management will be presenting at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference in Las Vegas. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

Kensey Nash Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Results
Kensey Nash Corporation, a medical device company primarily focused on regenerative medicine for a wide range of medical procedures, reported the results for its third quarter ended March 31, 2011. [Kensey Nash Corporation Press Release]

InVivo Therapeutics and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Form Strategic Research Collaboration to Develop Novel Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries
The collaboration will evaluate InVivo’s biopolymer devices synergistically combined with cellular therapies, including The Miami Project’s Schwann cell technologies. [InVivo Therapeutics 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 Gordon Research Conference: Collagen
July 17-22, 2011
New London, United States

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)

Quality Assurance Manager – Program in Children’s Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

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

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