Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.19 | May 19 2011

The Rho GEFs LARG and GEF-H1 Regulate the Mechanical Response to Force on Integrins
By combining biochemical and biophysical approaches, researchers identified two guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), LARG and GEF-H1, as key molecules that regulate the cellular adaptation to force. [Nat Cell Biol]

Decellularized Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessel as an Arterial Conduit
In this study, researchers developed a different approach to arterial tissue engineering that can substantially reduce the waiting time for a graft. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]

Calcium Regulates Key Components of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell–Derived Matrix Vesicles to Enhance Mineralization
The objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms that promote mineralization of vascular smooth muscle cell-matrix vesicles in response to calcium stress. [Circ Res]

Surface Functionalization of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels by Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films
Here, researchers present a simple approach to functionalize photocrosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels by deposition of poly(l-lysine) (PLL) and HA multilayer films made by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. [Biomaterials]

Effects of Biomimetic Surfaces and Oxygen Tension on Redifferentiation of Passaged Human Fibrochondrocytes in 2D and 3D Cultures
The tailored biomimetic surface (C6S surface) is comprised of major meniscal extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the inner region, namely collagen I/II (at a 2:3 ratio) and chondroitin-6-sulfate. Researchers further evaluated the effects of the C6S surface, alongside a number of other tailored surfaces, on cell adhesion, proliferation, matrix synthesis and relevant marker gene expression (collagen I, –II, aggrecan and Sox-9 etc) of passaged human fibrochondrocytes in 2D (coated glass coverslips) and 3D (surface-modified polymeric scaffolds) environments. [Biomaterials]

Incorporation of Osteoblasts (MG63) into 3D Nanofibre Matrices by Simultaneous Electrospinning and Spraying in Bone Tissue Engineering
The aim was to design and analyse a method of colonising nanofibre scaffolds, combining electrospinning of fibres and electrospraying of cells, to determine its impact on cell survival, growth, and gene expression. [Eur Cell Mater]

Recruitment of Progenitor Cells by an Extracellular Matrix Cryptic Peptide in a Mouse Model of Digit Amputation
The present study identified a single cryptic peptide derived from the α subunit of the collagen III molecule that is chemotactic for a well characterized perivascular stem cell in vitro and causes the site directed accumulation of progenitor cells in vivo. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Interaction of Late Apoptotic and Necrotic Cells with Vitronectin
Researchers propose that vitronectin could serve as a marker of membrane disruption in necrosis and apoptosis for flow cytometry analysis. Moreover, they suggest that vitronectin binding to dead cells may represent one of the mechanisms of vitronectin incorporation into the injured tissues. [PLoS ONE]

Modification of Collagen by 3-Deoxyglucosone Alters Wound Healing through Differential Regulation of p38 MAP Kinase
Using human dermal fibroblasts cultured on 3DG-collagen as a model of diabetic wounds, researchers demonstrated that p38 MAPK can promote either cell growth or cell death, and this was dependent on the activation of AKT and ERK1/2. [PLoS ONE]

Molecular Modeling of the Interaction between Heparan Sulfate and Cellular Growth Factors: Bringing Pieces Together
The interaction of a hexamer of heparin sulfate was studied in interaction with Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 and CXCL12α (Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1α). This approach shed light on the plasticity of the growth factors interacting with heparan sulfate. [Glycobiology]

Intrepid Explorer of the Extracellular Matrix
Friends, colleagues, former students—even competitors—celebrated the personal and professional achievements of Harvard scientist Bjorn Olsen, intrepid explorer of the extracellular matrix, at a symposium April 14 and 15 organized by Olsen’s former mentees. [Harvard Medical School Press Release]

InVivo Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2011 Financial Results
InVivo Therapeutics, a medical device company focused on the development of groundbreaking technologies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCI), reported financial results for the first quarter 2011. [InVivo Therapeutics Press Release]

BioMimetic Therapeutics’ Augment™ Bone Graft Receives Positive Recommendation from FDA Advisory Committee
BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative bioactive products to promote the healing of musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee voted 12-6 in support of the safety of Augment™ Bone Graft for use as an alternative to autograft in hindfoot and ankle fusion procedures. [BioMimetic Therapeutics Inc. 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 70th Annual Meeting of the Society for Developmental Biology 
July 21-25, 2011 
Chicago, United States

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

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)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Systems Microscopy of Cell Migration (Karolinska Institutet)

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