Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.18 | May 12 2011

Effects of Freezing-Induced Cell–Fluid–Matrix Interactions on the Cells and Extracellular Matrix of Engineered Tissues
In this study, freezing-induced cell–fluid–matrix interactions and their impact on the cells and extracellular matrix microstructure of engineered tissues (ET) were investigated using dermal equivalents as a model ET. [Biomaterials]

A Phosphorylcholine-Modified Chitosan Polymer as an Endothelial Progenitor Cell Supporting Matrix
The aim of the present study was to develop a new biopolymer to increase endothelial progenitor cell survival and amplification. [Biomaterials]

Hybrid Hydrogels Self-Assembled from Graft Copolymers Containing Complementary β-Sheets as Hydroxyapatite Nucleation Scaffolds
A bone scaffold based on a hybrid hydrogel self-assembled from N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers grafted with complementary β-sheet peptides was designed. [Biomaterials]

Gene Regulation Of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling In Human Bone Marrow Stem Cell – Seeded Tissue Engineered Grafts
Researchers hypothesize that cell-scaffold interaction and mechanical deformation results in upregulation of genes related to osteogenic/chondrogenic differentiation and thus changes extracellular matrix composition in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived tissue engineered grafts. [Tissue Eng Part A]

The Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell – Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Constructs on Immunophenotype of Macrophages
Researchers investigated the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells on immunophenotype of macrophages in the presence of a hyaluronic acid – hydrogel scaffold using a unique 3D coculture system. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Heparin-Chitosan-Coated Acellular Bone Matrix Enhances Perfusion of Blood and Vascularization in Bone Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
In this study, a biomacromolecular layer-by-layer coating process of chitosan/heparin onto a decellularized extracellular bone matrix was designed to accelerate the blood perfusion and re-endothelialization process. [Tissue Eng Part A]

RGTA Matrix Therapy Regenerates a Functional Root Attachment in Hamsters with Periodontitis
This is the first evidence that reconstructing the extracellular matrix scaffold with a heparan sulfate mimetic regenerated the root interface despite the persistence of the bacteria responsible for the disease. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Arrangement of Type IV Collagen and Laminin on Substrates with Controlled Density of –OH Groups
Collagen IV and laminin are the main structural components of the basement membrane where they form two overlapping polymeric networks. Researchers studied the adsorption pattern of these proteins on five model surfaces with tailored density of -OH groups obtained by copolymerization of different ratios ethyl acrylate and hydroxyethyl acrylate. [Tissue Eng Part A]

The Quest for an Optimized Protocol for Whole Heart Decellularization: A Comparison of Three Popular and a Novel Decellularization Technique and their Diverse Effects on Crucial Extracellular Matrix Qualities
This study showed that the degree of acellularity and resulting extracellular matrix composition of decellularized myocardial scaffolds strongly differ depending on the decellularization protocol. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods]

Evaluation of the Potential of Novel PCL–PPDX Biodegradable Scaffolds as Support Materials for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
The present study sought, in the first place, to standardize a novel protocol in order to obtain primary cultures of chondrocytes from newborn rabbit hyaline cartilage from the xiphoid process. Second, the potential of porous three-dimensional (3D) biodegradable polymeric matrices as support materials for chondrocytes was evaluated: a novel poly(ε-caprolactone)–poly(p-dioxanone) (PCL–PPDX) blend in a 90:10 w:w ratio and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). [J Tissue Eng Regen Med]

Cell–Extracellular Matrix versus Cell–Cell Interactions during the Development of the Cochlear-Vestibular Ganglion
The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of the major families of adhesion molecules that mediate cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix, the integrins, and with other cells, the cadherins, in neuroblast segregation from the otic epithelium. [J Neurosci Res]