Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.03 | Jan 24 2013

Fetal Fibronectin Signaling Induces Matrix Metalloproteases and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in Amnion Cells and Preterm Birth in Mice
Researchers clarified the pathological function of fetal fibronectin (fFN) on cell type-specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandin synthesis in fetal membranes. Treatment of amnion mesenchymal cells with fFN resulted in dramatic increases in MMP-1 and MMP-9 mRNA and enzymatic activity as well as COX-2 mRNA and prostaglandin E2 synthesis, activating both NFκB and ERK1/2 signaling. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Collagen Remodeling by Phagocytosis Is Determined by Collagen Substrate Topology and by Calcium-Dependent Interactions of Gelsolin with Non-Muscle Myosin IIA in Cell Adhesions
Scientists examined how collagen substrate topography, [Ca²⁺]_i and the association of gelsolin with non-muscle myosin IIA at collagen adhesions are regulated to enable collagen phagocytosis. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract

Targeting Constitutively Activated ß1 Integrin Inhibits Prostate Cancer Metastasis
By immunohistochemistry of human tissues, scientists found that levels of ß1 integrins and integrin-induced autophosphorylation of FAK are increased in prostate cancer (PCa) cells in primary PCa and lymph node metastases, suggesting that ß1 integrin activation occurs in metastatic progression of PCa. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Polyphosphates Inhibit Extracellular Matrix Mineralization in MC3T3-E1 Osteoblast Cultures
Researchers showed in osteoblast cultures producing an abundant collagenous matrix that normally shows robust mineralization, that two polyphosphates (PolyP5 and PolyP65, polyphosphates of 5 and 65 phosphate residues in length) are potent mineralization inhibitors. [Bone] Abstract

Mimicking Native Extracellular Matrix with Phytic Acid-Crosslinked Protein Nanofibers for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
A functional fabricated scaffold was developed from natural polymers, favoring regeneration of the ischemic myocardium. Hemoglobin/gelatin/fibrinogen nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning and were characterized for morphology, scaffold composition, functional groups and hydrophilicity. [Macromol Biosci] Abstract

Leading Malignant Cells Initiate Collective Epithelial Cell Invasion in a Three-Dimensional Heterotypic Tumor Spheroid Model
To study heterotypic cell-cell interactions and elucidate the biological consequences of intratumor heterogeneity, the authors developed a tissue-engineered multicellular spheroid co-culture model that recapitulates the cellular diversity and fully three-dimensional cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions that characterize human carcinomas. [Clin Exp Metastasis] Abstract

Corneal Stromal Cell Growth on Gelatin/Chondroitin Sulfate Scaffolds Modified at Different NHS/EDC Molar Ratios
A nanoscale modification strategy that can incorporate chondroitin sulfate (CS) into cross-linked porous gelatin materials has previously been proposed to give superior performance for designed corneal keratocyte scaffolds. Here, researchers investigated the influence of carbodiimide chemistry on the characteristics and biofunctionalities of gelatin/CS scaffolds treated with varying N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)/1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) molar ratios at a constant EDC concentration of 10 mM. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract

Development of Collagen/Demineralized Bone Powder Scaffolds and Periosteum-Derived Cells for Bone Tissue Engineering Application
The authors investigated physical and biological properties of collagen and demineralized bone powder (DBP) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. DBP was homogeneously mixed with type I collagen and three-dimensional scaffolds were constructed, applying chemical crosslinking and lyophilization. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract

The Extracellular Domain of Syndecan-2 Regulates the Interaction of HCT116 Human Colon Carcinoma Cells with Fibronectin
Cell spreading assays show that HCT116 human colon cancer cells attached and spread better on fibronectin compared to the other tested extracellular matrixes. Notably, syndecan-2 overexpression enhanced the spreading of HCT116 cells on fibronectin, and the opposite effects were observed when syndecan-2 expression was reduced. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Pegylated Human Plasma Fibronectin Is Proteolytically Stable, Supports Cell Adhesion, Cell Migration, Focal Adhesion Assembly and Fibronectin Fibrillogenesis
Delayed wound healing in many chronic wounds has been linked to the degradation of fibronectin (FN) by abnormally high protease levels. Scientists sought to develop a proteolytically stable and functionally active form of FN. They conjugated 3.35 kDa polyethylene glycol diacrylate to human plasma fibronectin. [Biotechnol Prog] Abstract

Integra LifeSciences Announces Launch of Integra(R) Flowable Wound Matrix in Europe for Diabetic Foot and Leg Ulcers
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation announced that it has received European CE Mark Certification for its Integra^® Flowable Wound Matrix, an advanced device approved in the European Union for filling deep soft tissue or tunneling wounds, including diabetic foot and leg ulcers.
[Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation] Press Release

Northwestern Medicine Plans $1 Billion Research Investment
Leaders of Northwestern Medicine, comprising Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation and Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, announced they have made a transformational commitment of more than $1 billion toward creating a leading medical research enterprise on Northwestern’s campus in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. [Northwestern University] 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 Gordon Research Seminar – Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering
July 27-28, 2013
Holderness, United States

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

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Senior Scientist – Hard Tissue Engineering (University de Limoges)

Staff Scientist – Stem Cell-Based Therapy Manufacturing (City of Hope Medical Group)

Early Stage Researcher – Laser-Made 3D Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications (FORTH)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Cardiovascular Development & Disease (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Fellow (Medical University of Warsaw, Poland)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Development, Homeostasis and Malignancy (University of Oulu)

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