Extracellular Matrix News Volume 3.35 | Sep 6 2012

Endoglin Mediates Fibronectin/a5ß1 Integrin and TGF-ß Pathway Crosstalk in Endothelial Cells
Researchers showed that the extracellular matrix component, fibronectin, and its cellular receptor, a5ß1 integrin, specifically increase transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1)- and BMP-9-induced Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation via the TGF-ß superfamily receptors endoglin and activin-like kinase-1. [EMBO J] Abstract

The Regulation of Cystogenesis in a Tissue Engineered Kidney Disease System by Abnormal Matrix Interactions
Scientists employed a three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineered disease-like system to emulate cystic structures in vitro and analyzed the extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions in it. The tissue system was developed by culturing normal or polycystin-1 silenced mouse inner medullary collecting duct cells in ECM infused into 3D porous silk protein biomaterial scaffolds. [Biomaterials] Abstract

The Effect of the Degree of Sulfation of Glycosaminoglycan’s on Osteoclast Function and Signaling Pathways
Investigators manufactured native and sulfate-modified glycosaminoglycan matrices, evaluated how these components modulate different functions of osteoclasts and analyzed the underlying mechanisms. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Enhanced Endothelization for Developing Artificial Vascular Networks with a Natural Vessel Mimicking Luminal Surface in Scaffolds
Scientists aimed to develop a rapid endothelization method for creating an anti-thrombogenic surface mimicking the natural vessel wall in the artificial vascular networks. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Incorporation of an Aggrecan Mimic Prevents Proteolytic Degradation of Anisotropic Cartilage Analogs
Researchers combined magnetically-aligned collagen with peptidoglycans, biosynthetic molecules that mimic proteoglycan activity but lack core proteins susceptible to proteases, to develop cartilage scaffold analogs with tailored functionality. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

α-Actinin Interactions with Syndecan-4 Are Integral to Fibroblast-Matrix Adhesion and Regulate Cytoskeletal Architecture
Signaling through syndecan-4 core protein to the actin cytoskeleton involves protein kinase Cα and Rho family G proteins but also direct interactions with α-actinin. The contribution of the latter interaction to cell-matrix adhesion was investigated since manipulation of Rho GTPase and its downstream targets could not restore a wild type microfilament organization to syndecan-4 null cells. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Injectable Nanohybrid Scaffold for Biopharmaceuticals Delivery and Soft Tissue Engineering
Investigators developed an injectable nanofibrous hydrogel scaffold integrated with growth factors loaded polysaccharide nanoparticles that specifically allowed for targeted adipose-derived stem cells encapsulation and soft tissue engineering. [Macromol Rapid Commun] Abstract

Celastrol Attenuates Adipokine Resistin-Associated Matrix Interaction and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Researchers demonstrated that anti-inflammatory celastrol blunted the macrophage secretion of adipokine resistin, and suppressed the smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration by disturbing the interaction between SMC and intimal collagen matrix. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Chitosan-Amylopectin/Hydroxyapatite and Chitosan-Chondroitinsulphate/Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Scientists developed tri-component scaffolds of chitosan/natural hydroxyapatite with chondroitinsulfate and amylopectin via freeze-drying method and characterized them physicochemically for bone grafting substitutes. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract

Nano-TiO₂ Particles Impair Adhesion of Airway Epithelial Cells to Fibronectin
Researchers investigated the mechanisms by which short-term incubation of human airway clara-like (H441) cells to titanium dioxide engineered nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂) alters the ability of H441 cells to adhere to extracellular matrix. [Respir Physiol Neurobiol] Abstract

U.S. Patent Issued for Histogen’s Novel Cell Growth Process
Histogen, Inc. announced that the United States (U.S.) Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent 8,257,947, entitled “Extracellular Matrix Compositions Produced Under Hypoxic Culture Conditions” to the Company. [Histogen, Inc.] Press Release

Angel and arGentis Pharmaceuticals LLC Sign Framework Agreement
Angel Biotechnology Holdings plc announced the signing of a framework agreement with arGentis Pharmaceuticals LLC, which establishes the parameters of future contracts for the development and manufacture of their collagen product, ARG201, a treatment for systemic sclerosis. [Angel Biotechnology Holdings plc] Press Rlease

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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 BIT’s 3^rd Annual World Congress of Molecular & Cell Biology
June 14-16, 2013
Suzhou, China

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

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

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

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

Assistant Professor – Molecular Cell and Extracellular Matrix Research (University of Oulu)

PhD Position(s) – Cell-Matrix Interaction for Angiogenesis (KU Leuven)

Postdoctoral Position(s) – Extracellular Matrix and Stem Cell Niche Biology (RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology)

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