Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.12 | Mar 28 2013

Extracellular Matrix of Collagen Modulates Arrhythmogenic Activity of Pulmonary Veins through p38 MAPK Activation
Scientists evaluated whether collagen can directly modulate pulmonary vein (PV) arrhythmogenesis. Action potentials and ionic currents were investigated in isolated male New Zealand rabbit PV cardiomyocytes with and without collagen incubation using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 Is a Novel Modulator of Megakaryocyte-Collagen Interactions
The authors demonstrated the expression of the novel collagen receptor Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1) by human megakaryocytes (MKs) at both mRNA and protein levels and provide evidence of DDR1 involvement in the regulation of MK motility on type I collagen through a mechanism based on the activity of SHP1 phosphatase and Syk tyrosine kinase. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Normal and Collagen IX Null Mouse Cartilage Reveals Altered Extracellular Matrix Composition and Novel Components of the Collagen IX Interactome
To investigate the molecular basis of the collagen IX null phenotype, researchers analyzed differences in protein abundance between wild-type and knockout cartilage by capHPLC tandem mass spectrometry. Components that were differentially abundant between wild-type and collagen IX deficient cartilage included 15 extracellular matrix proteins. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Inflammatory Environment Induces Gingival Tissue-Specific Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Differentiate towards a Pro-Fibrotic Phenotype
Under the influence of the inflammatory cytokines, gingival tissue-specific mesenchymal stem cells exhibited higher rate of proliferation than those under normal condition, while their potential for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was suppressed. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1, MMP-2, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and type 1 collagen was significantly higher in inflammatory gingival tissues than in normal gingival tissues. [Biol Cell] Abstract

Type VIII Collagen Signals via β1 Integrin and RhoA to Regulate MMP-2 Expression and Smooth Muscle Cell Migration
Smooth muscle cells isolated from wild-type C57BL/6 and type VIII collagen deficient mice were studied using assays to measure chemotactic and haptotactic migration, and remodeling and contraction of 3-dimensional type I collagen gels. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Type IV Collagen Stimulates Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Inhibits Apoptosis through an Autocrine Loop
The expression of type IV collagen and its integrin receptors were examined in vivo in human pancreatic cancer tissue. The cellular effects of type IV collagen were studied in pancreatic cancer cell lines by reducing type IV collagen expression through RNA interference and by functional receptor blocking of integrins and their binding-sites on the type IV collagen molecule. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) Scaffolds Coated with Collagen and Glycosaminoglycans: Impact on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists analyzed poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds modified with artificial extracellular matrices (aECM) consisting of collagen type I, chondroitin sulphate, and sulphated hyaluronan. They investigated the effect of these aECM coatings on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. [J Biomed Mater Res Part A] Abstract

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Inhibits Collagen Production of Nasal Polyp-Derived Fibroblasts
The authors aimed to determine the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix accumulation in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts (NPDFs), and to determine if the antioxidative effect of EGCG on reactive oxygen species production in TGF-β1-induced NPDFs is involved in the aforementioned processes. [Phytother Res] Abstract

Glycosaminoglycan Mimetic Associated to Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Based Scaffolds Inhibit Ectopic Bone Formation but Induce Angiogenesis In Vivo
Researchers developed a strategy associating the glycosaminoglycans mimetic [OTR4120] with bone substitutes to optimize stem cell-based therapeutic products. They showed that [OTR4120] was able to potentiate proliferation, migration and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Using Proteomics to Uncover Extracellular Matrix Interactions during Cardiac Remodeling
This review summarizes the use of proteomics to better understand matrix metalloproteinase roles in post-myocardial infarction left ventricle remodeling. [Proteomics Clin Appl] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field.

Harbor MedTech Announces Market Launch of Architect™, an Advanced Collagen Matrix for Treating Serious Skin Wounds
Harbor MedTech, Inc. announced notification of FDA marketing clearance for their first product, Architect™, an advanced collagen matrix for treatment of partial and full thickness skin wounds. [Business Wire]
Press Release

Regenerative Medicine Company, Eqalix, Announces Grant from Nanotechnology Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eqalix announced they received a $50,000 grant from the Nanotechnology Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which will facilitate the advancement of the development of its technologies for regenerative medicine. [The Nanotechnology Institute] 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 TERMIS (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society) Americas Conference 2013
November 10-13, 2013
Atlanta, 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)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Mechanisms of Immune Evasion and Adhesion Developed by Bacterial Pathogens (Lund University)

PhD Fellowship (Ghent University)

PhD Studentship – Single-Molecule Mechanobiology (CIC nanoGUNE Consolider Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position (Oregon Health & Science University [OHSU])

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Microenvironment in Blood Vessel Morphogenesis (Thomas Jefferson University Medical College)

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