Artificial Niche Microarrays for Probing Single Stem Cell Fate in High Throughput Researchers report a microengineered platform comprised of soft hydrogel microwell arrays with modular stiffness (shear moduli of 1–50 kPa) in which individual microwells can be functionalized with combinations of proteins spotted by robotic technology. To validate the platform, researchers tested the effect of cell-cell interactions on adipogenic differentiation of adherent human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the effect of substrate stiffness on osteogenic MSC differentiation. [Nat Methods] Abstract | Press Release Sympathetic Control of Bone Mass Regulated by Osteopontin Using cell-based and murine genetics approaches, researchers show that this activity of the sympathetic nervous system requires osteopontin, a cytokine and one of the major members of the noncollagenous extracellular matrix proteins of bone. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Like-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase (LARGE)-Dependent Modification of Dystroglycan at Thr-317/319 is Required for Laminin Binding and Arenavirus Infection Because the N-terminal region adjacent to the paired Thr residues is removed during posttranslational maturation of dystroglycan, the results demonstrate that the ligand-binding activity resides at the extreme N terminus of mature α-dystroglycan and is crucial for α-dystroglycan to coordinate the assembly of extracellular matrix proteins and to bind arenaviruses on the cell surface. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Changes in the Chondrocyte and Extracellular Matrix Proteome during Post-Natal Mouse Cartilage Development This first proteomic analysis of cartilage development in vivo reveals the breadth of protein expression changes during chondrocyte maturation and extracellular matrix remodeling in the mouse femoral head. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Abstract The Effects of Acellular Amniotic Membrane Matrix on Osteogenic Differentiation and ERK1/2 Signaling in Human Dental Apical Papilla Cells In this study, it was found that both basement membrane side and collagenous stroma side of the acellular amniotic membrane matrix were capable of providing a preferential environment for driving the osteogenic differentiation of human dental apical papilla cells with proven stem cell characteristics. [Biomaterials] Abstract Spatial Arrangement of Polycaprolatonec/Collagen Nanofibrous Scaffolds Regulates the Wound-Healing Related Behaviors of Human Adipose Stromal Cells This study on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) related genes in human adipose stromal cells revealed higher synthesis capacity for critical ECM molecules including tropoelastin, collagen I and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, on the aligned nanofibers. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Dynamic Compressive Loading Enhances Cartilage Matrix Synthesis and Distribution and Suppresses Hypertrophy in hMSC-Laden Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels In this study, researchers investigated the effect of dynamic compressive loading on chondrogenesis, the production and distribution of cartilage specific matrix, and the hypertrophic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encapsulated in hyaluronic acid hydrogels during long term culture. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Engineering 3D Cell Instructive Microenvironments by Rational Assembly of Artificial Extracellular Matrices and Cell Patterning In this work, researchers introduce a flexible strategy that relies on the combination of artificial extracellular matrices with patterning techniques as well as a layer-by-layer approach to mimic rationally-designed instructive milieus. [Integr Biol] Abstract Diabetic Impairment of C-kit Bone Marrow Stem Cells Involves the Disorders of Inflammatory Factors, Cell Adhesion and Extracellular Matrix Molecules Researchers investigated the mechanisms responsible for diabetes-related functional impairment of bone marrow stem cells by extensively screening the expression levels of inflammatory factors, cell cycle regulating molecules, extracellular matrix molecules and adhesion molecules. [PLoS ONE] Abstract Colorectal Cancer Desmoplastic Reaction Up-Regulates Collagen Synthesis and Restricts Cancer Cell Invasion In this study, researchers analyzed desmoplasia in vivo in human colorectal carcinoma tissue, detecting an up-regulation of collagen I, collagen IV and collagen V in human colorectal cancer desmoplastic reaction. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract |