Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.05 | Feb 7 2013

The Phosphoinositide-Binding Protein ZF21 Regulates ECM Degradation by Invadopodia
Researchers demonstrated that ZF21 regulates invasion of tumor cells, whereas it does not affect the overall production of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP by the cells. Also, they observed that the extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading activity specifically at the invadopodia is severely abrogated. [PLoS One] Full Article

Up-Regulation of Tension-Related Proteins in Keloids: Knockdown of Hsp27, α2β1-Integrin, and PAI-2 Shows Convincing Reduction of Extracellular Matrix Production
Mechanical tension promotes deposition of extracellular matrix and overexpression of tension-related proteins, which is associated with keloid disease. Scientists aimed to investigate the effect of tension-related proteins on extracellular matrix steady-state synthesis in primary keloid fibroblasts. [Plast Reconstr Surg] Abstract

Comparison of In Vivo Adipogenic Capabilities of Two Different Extracellular Matrix Microparticle Scaffolds
Adipose tissue extract microparticle scaffolds from human adipose tissue and small intestine submucosa microparticle scaffolds from porcine jejunum were prepared. Their effects on the adipogenic capabilities of human adipose-derived stem cells were compared in vivo. [Plast Reconstr Surg] Abstract

Potential Role of Fibronectin in Microglia/Macrophage Activation following Cryoinjury in the Rat Brain: An Immunohistochemical Study
To investigate whether fibronectin plays a role in the activation of microglia/macrophages after brain injury, the authors examined the changes in fibronectin and arginase-1, a marker for alternatively activated macrophages, in a rat cryoinjury model using Western blot analysis, real-time reverse transcription PCR and immunohistochemistry. [Brain Res] Abstract

Importance of Depth-Wise Distribution of Collagen and Proteoglycans in Articular Cartilage-A 3D Finite Element Study of Stresses and Strains in Human Knee Joint
The authors investigated the importance of the proteoglycan and collagen distributions for cartilage stresses and strains resulting from dynamic joint loading and mechanical equilibrium in a knee joint. [J Biomech] Abstract

Phenotypic Redifferentiation and Cell Cluster Formation of Cultured Human Articular Chondrocytes in a Three-Dimensional Oriented Gelatin Scaffold in the Presence of PGE2 – First Results of a Pilot Study
Investigators analyzed if prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has an effect on the phenotypic differentiation of human chondrocytes cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) gelatin-based scaffold made by directional freezing and subsequent freeze-drying. They demonstrated that low doses of PGE2 revealed beneficial effects on the phenotypic differentiation and collagen II expression of human articular chondrocytes in this 3D cell culture system. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 Shows Antitumor Effects by Enhancing the Release of TRAIL from Neutrophils through MMP-8
Scientists found that Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 (CBM588) induces the release of endogenous tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) from polymorphonuclear neutrophils as well as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. In addition, they showed that matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) is one of the key factors responsible for the release. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Virus Activated Artificial ECM Induces the Osteoblastic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells without Osteogenic Supplements
Biochemical and topographical features of an artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) can direct stem cell fate. However, it is difficult to vary only the biochemical cues without changing nanotopography to study their unique role. Scientists took advantage of two unique features of M13 phage, a non-toxic nanofiber-like virus, to generate a virus-activated aECM with constant ordered ridge/groove nanotopography but displaying different fibronectin-derived peptides. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Bit1 in Anoikis Resistance and Tumor Metastasis
Recent studies have identified the mitochondrial Bcl2-inhibitor of transcription (Bit1) protein as part of a novel anoikis pathway. This review focuses on the biological function of Bit1 in the anoikis process, the underlying molecular mechanism of Bit1 apoptotic function, and its role in tumor metastasis. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

Synstatin: A Selective Inhibitor of the Syndecan-1-Coupled IGF1R-αvβ3 Integrin Complex in Tumorigenesis and Angiogenesis
Much effort has focused on developing therapeutics that target the αvβ3 integrin in various cancers. Along these lines, the site in the syndecan-1 (Sdc1) ectodomain responsible for capture and activation of the αvβ3 or αvβ5 integrins by insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) can be mimicked by a short peptide called synstatin (SSTN), which competitively displaces the integrin and IGF1R kinase from the syndecan and inactivates the complex. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the Sdc1-coupled ternary receptor complex and the efficacy of SSTN as an emerging therapeutic to target this signaling mechanism. [FEBS J] Abstract | Full Article

Nanostructured Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
This review presents the mechanism of interactions between nanoscaled materials and cells and focuses on the current research status of nanostructured scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Regenerative Medicine Research Helped by AAA Fellowship
Research into repairing diseased tissues in Australia will be boosted by the addition of a visiting American scholar. The research, to be conducted at Oschner Clinical School in the United States and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland is at the crest of the next wave in healthcare in recruiting the body’s own cells and repair systems to heal injured or diseased tissue. University of Colorado graduate Jason Ross has won the prestigious 2013 American Australian Association (AAA) fellowship to advance his research. [The University of Queensland] Press Release

RBCC: n3D Technology Could Lead to Lab-Grown Implantable Organs
The magnetic levitation technology that Rainbow Coral Corp. (RBCC) and joint venture partner Nano3D BioSciences (n3D) recently used to grow lifelike human lung tissue could one day lead to an even more astonishing breakthrough-lab-grown, implantable human organs. Rainbow BioSciences, RBCC’s biotech division, signed a joint venture agreement with n3D last year to help develop and market the Bio-Assembler. The device utilizes a proprietary process to enable scientists to grow cells in a three-dimensional environment using nanoparticles that produce magnetic fields to lift cells from the bottom of petri dishes. [Business Wire] 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 FASEB Science Research Conference (SRC): Matricellular Proteins in Development, Health, & Disease
July 28-August 2, 2013
Saxtons River, United States

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

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular Matrix & Developmental Biology (Purdue University)

Postdoctoral Position (Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology)

PhD Studentship – Bone Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (Erasmus MC University Medical Centre Rotterdam)

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