Extracellular Matrix News Volume 3.20 | May 24 2012

Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Acellular Cartilage Sheets
Scientists investigated whether acellular cartilage sheets (ACSs) possess a chondrogenic induction activity that may benefit cartilage engineering with multipotent stem cells. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) isolated from newborn pigs were expanded in vitro and seeded on ACSs that were then stacked layer-by-layer to form BMSC-ACS constructs. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Simultaneous Regeneration of Articular Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Induced by Spatially-Presented TGF-Beta and BMP-4 in a Bi-Layer Affinity Binding System
The authors described the features of a hydrogel system designed to simultaneously induce the endogenous regeneration of hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone. The system was constructed as two layers, spatially presenting the chondro-inductive transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in one layer and the osteo-inductive bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) in a second layer, via affinity binding to the matrix. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Rapidly Curable Chitosan-PEG Hydrogels as Tissue Adhesives for Hemostasis and Wound Healing
Chitosan poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid hydrogels were rapidly formed in situ using horseradish peroxidase, and hydrogen peroxide to explore their performance as efficient tissue adhesives. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Mechanics Regulates Fate Decisions of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Investigators demonstrated that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are mechanosensitive, and they could increase their cytoskeleton contractility with matrix rigidity. Matrix mechanics-mediated cytoskeleton contractility might be functionally correlated with E-cadherin expressions in cell-cell contacts and thus involved in fate decisions of hESCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

Control of Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Migration by the Extracellular Matrix Protein Slit3
Researchers show that Slit3 rapidly reduced the levels of active RhoA in HL60 cells and primary CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), directly affecting a pathway involved in actin cytoskeleton remodeling and HSPC migration. [Lab Invest] Abstract

MMP2 Activity Is Critical for TGFβ2-Induced Matrix Contraction – Implications for Fibrosis
Scientists aimed to elucidate the role of the extracellular matrix modulators matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-mediated posterior capsule opacification formation. [Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci] Abstract

Augmenting the Articular Cartilage-Implant Interface: Functionalizing with a Collagen Adhesion Protein
Researchers aimed to develop a bioadhesive implant to create an immediate bond with the extracellular matrix components of articular cartilage. They hypothesized that implant-bound collagen adhesion protein would increase the interfacial strength between a poly(vinyl alcohol) implant and an articular cartilage immediately after implantation, without preventing cell migration into the implant. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Directing Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition through Engineered Microenvironments Displaying Orthogonal Adhesive and Mechanical Cues
Results suggest that integrin-specific engagement of fibronectin adhesive domains and the mechanics of the extracellular matrix act synergistically to direct epithelial to mesenchymal transition. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

IntelliCell BioSciences Announces Collaborative Agreement with the University of Florida on Stem Cell and Tissue Repair Research
IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc. announced that it has entered a sponsored research agreement with the Institute for Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Florida. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Karolinska University Hospital and GE Healthcare Collaborate to Advance Technologies for Cell Therapy
Karolinska University Hospital Sweden and GE Healthcare Life Sciences announced a joint research collaboration to drive advances in technologies and workflows for use in the rapidly emerging field of cell therapy. [General Electric Company] 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 24th International Congress of the Transplantation Society
July 15-19, 2012
Berlin, Germany

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

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Protein Chemistry/Immuno-Receptor Biology (Genentech)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Molecular Cell Biology (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research (Finnish Centre of Excellence in Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research)

Temporary Research Associate Position – Extracellular Matrix and Stem Cell Application in Regenerative Medicine (Università di Pisa)

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