Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.29 | Jul 28 2011

Researchers Understand Why Smokers’ Lungs Don’t Get Better
Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by fibroblasts following stimulation with cigarette smoke extract is functionally different than non-exposed ECM, and that the cigarette smoke itself may prime the airways in such a way to create an environment whereby airway remodeling is encouraged. [Press release from The University of Sydney discussing online prepublication in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology]

Creating Growth Factor Gradients in Three Dimensional Porous Matrix by Centrifugation and Surface Immobilization
The 3D porous scaffold with a concentration gradient of growth factors may become a useful tool for basic studies, including in vitro investigations of 3D chemotaxis/haptotaxis for the control of specific biological process. [Biomaterials]

The Impact of Heparin Intercalation at Specific Binding Sites in Telopeptide-Free Collagen Type I Fibrils
Researchers demonstrate that heparin binds specifically and in a competitive manner along the tropocollagen helix at places that are occupied in vivo by telopeptides in fibrillar collagen type I. [Biomaterials]

The Role of Cell Surface Markers and Enamel Matrix Derivatives on Human Periodontal Ligament Mesenchymal Progenitor Responses In Vitro
In this in vitro study, researchers identify periodontal ligament progenitor cells from multiple individuals and demonstrate that enamel matrix derivative stimulates them. [Biomaterials]

The Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Presentation within Fibrin Matrices on Endothelial Cell Branching
Here researchers are interested in determining if the manner in which VEGF is presented from a scaffold to endothelial cells influences the architecture of the blood vessels formed. [Biomaterials]

The Effect of Manipulation of Silk Scaffold Fabrication Parameters on Matrix Performance in a Murine Model of Bladder Augmentation
In the present study, researchers sought to determine the impact of variations in winding (axial slew rate: 2 and 40 mm/s) and post-winding (methanol and lyophilization) fabrication parameters on the in vivo performance of gel spun silk scaffolds in a murine model of bladder augmentation. [Biomaterials]

Using Self-Assembled Monolayers to Understand α8β1-Mediated Cell Adhesion to the RGD and FEI Motifs in Nephronectin
This paper uses self-assembled monolayers to study the adhesion of α8β1-presenting cells to the RGD and DLFEIFEIER ligands in nephronectin and finds that both ligands can independently mediate cell adhesion through non-overlapping binding sites on the integrin. [ACS Chem Biol]

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E Binding Protein 1 (4EBP-1) Function is Suppressed by Src and PP2A on Extracellular Matrix
Researchers suggest that β1-integrin-mediated signaling pathway may be a crucial event in regulating fibroblast translational control machinery on collagen matrix. [J Biol Chem]

Matrix Proteins from Smoke Exposed Fibroblasts are Pro-Proliferative
Researchers investigated the role of cigarette smoke in altering the extracellular matrix deposited from human lung fibroblasts. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol]

Extracellular Matrix Deposited by Synovium-Derived Stem Cells Delays Replicative Senescent Chondrocyte Dedifferentiation and Enhances Redifferentiation
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of extracellular matrix deposited by synovium-derived stem cells on articular chondrocyte expansion and maintenance of differentiation status and redifferentiation capacity. [J Cell Physiol]

Molecular Model of Human Heparanase with Proposed Binding Mode of a Heparan Sulfate Oligosaccharide and Catalytic Amino Acids
The glucuronidase activity of human heparanase plays a major role in the structural remodeling of the extracellular matrix, which underlies cell migration, hence tumor invasion. Heparanase is therefore a major target for anti-cancer treatment. Several inhibitors of its enzymatic activity have been synthesized. However, their design is limited by the absence of experimental structure of the protein. [Biopolymers]

Bristol-Myers Squibb to Acquire Amira Pharmaceuticals
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that the companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Bristol-Myers Squibb will acquire privately held Amira Pharmaceuticals, a small-molecule pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and early development of new drugs to treat inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. [Amira Pharmaceuticals Press Release]

BioVeteria Licenses Regenerative Technology for Cartilage and Bone
BioVeteria Life Sciences, LLC announced they have exclusively licensed a patented, orally active cartilage and bone repair technology from the Canadian Arthritis Network. [BioVeteria Life Sciences, LLC 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)

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist (iPSC) (STEMCELL Technologies)

Extracellular Matrix Protein Study (Università degli Studi di Genova)

Research Associate in Synthetic Biology (Institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology)

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