Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.15 | Apr 18 2013

Global Remodeling of Cellular Microenvironment Due to Loss of Collagen VII
The mammalian cellular microenvironment is shaped by soluble factors and structural components, the extracellular matrix, providing physical support, regulating adhesion and signaling. A global, quantitative mass spectrometry strategy, combined with bioinformatics data processing, was developed to assess proteome differences in the microenvironment of primary human fibroblasts. [Mol Syst Biol] Full Article

Laminin-332 and α3β1 Integrin-Supported Migration of Bronchial Epithelial Cells is Modulated by Fibronectin
The authors investigated the relative contributions of laminin and fibronectin to bronchiolar cell adhesion and migration using the immortalized bronchial lung epithelial cell line (BEP2D) and normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells, both of which assemble a laminin-322/fibronectin-rich matrix. Intriguingly, BEP2D and NHBE cells migrate significantly faster on a laminin-332-rich matrix than on fibronectin. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Focal Adhesion Kinase Regulates Collagen I-Induced Airway Smooth Muscle Phenotype Switching
Using bovine tracheal smooth muscle, researchers investigated the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and downstream signaling pathways in collagen I-induced airway smooth muscle phenotype modulation. Phosphorylation of FAK was increased during adhesion to both uncoated and collagen I-coated culture dishes, without differences between these matrices. No differences in cellular adhesion were found either. [J Pharmacol Exp Ther] Abstract

The Selective Role of ECM Components on Cell Adhesion, Morphology, Proliferation and Communication In Vitro
Scientists investigated the role of different extracellular matrix (ECM) components like laminin, fibronectin, and collagen type I with respect to the essential cell behaviour patterns: attachment dynamics such as adhesion kinetic and force, formation of focal adhesion complexes, morphology, proliferation, and intercellular communication. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Rigid Microenvironments Promote Cardiac Differentiation of Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers examined the role of matrix rigidity on cardiac differentiation using mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cells. Culture on polydimethylsiloxane substrates of varied monomer-to-crosslinker ratios revealed that rigid extracellular matrices promote a higher yield of de novo cardiomyocytes from undifferentiated ES cells. [Sci Technol Adv Mat] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Silk Fibroin Scaffolds Enhance Cell Commitment of Adult Rat Cardiac Progenitor Cells
The use of three-dimensional (3D) cultures may induce cardiac progenitor cells to synthesize their own extracellular matrix (ECM) and sarcomeric proteins to initiate cardiac differentiation. In this study, porous, partially orientated and electrospun nanometric nets were used. Cardiac progenitor cells isolated from adult rats were seeded by capillarity in the 3D structures and cultured inside inserts for 21 days. Under this condition, the cells expressed a high level of sarcomeric and cardiac proteins and synthesized a great quantity of ECM. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Self-Assembled Monolayers with Different Chemical Group Substrates for the Study of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line Behavior
The interactions between cancer cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) are important with respect to a number of cell behaviors, yet they remain unclear. Researchers employed self-assembled monolayers with different terminal chemical groups (hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), animo (-NH2), mercapto (-SH), and methyl (-CH3)) as substrates for the culture of MCF-7 cells to examine effects on cell behavior. [Biomed Mater] Abstract | Full Article

Cyclical Mechanical Stretch Enhances Degranulation and IL-4 Secretion in RBL-2H3 Mast Cells
To analyze how cyclical mechanical stretch (CMS) affects mast cell responses, the authors examined the effect of applying CMS on the behavior of IgE-bound mast cells (RBL-2H3 cell line) adhering to fibronectin as a substitute for extracellular matrix. They found that CMS enhanced FcεRI-mediated secretion in the presence of antigen (2,4-dinitrophenol-bovine serum albumin). [Cell Biochem Funct] Abstract

Biochemical Composition and Turnover of the Extracellular Matrix of the Normal and Degenerate Intervertebral Disc
This review provides a comprehensive description of the biochemical composition of the extracellular matrix of the tebral disc and, specifically, the proteases involved in its molecular turnover. Quantitation of the turnover rates using racemization of aspartic acid as a molecular clock is also discussed. [Eur Spine J] Abstract

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

Foundation Venture Capital Group Invests in Company Developing Implantable Meniscus for Knee Repair
Newly formed NovoPedics, Inc., has received a commitment of up to $500,000 from Foundation Venture Capital Group to advance its development of an implantable meniscus replacement/regeneration medical device. Meniscofix™, the company’s first product, uses a biodegradable polymer fiber-reinforced scaffold that restores mobility to patients suffering from severe meniscus knee injuries and can prevent the long-term development of arthritis. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Patients Receive Regenerative Medicine Treatment to Reduce Scarring, Speed Wound Healing
SironRX Therapeutics Inc. is pleased to report that it has completed enrollment of patients in Cohort 1 of its placebo-controlled, randomized, dose escalation double-blind clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of JVS-100 to reduce scar formation and improve wound healing in patients receiving surgical sternotomy incisions. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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NEW ICCSCE 2013: International Conference on Cell and Stem Cell Engineering
September 26-27,2013
Rome, Italy

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

Postdoctoral Researcher – Developing the Next Generation of Functionalized Biomaterials (NUI Galway Ireland)

Price Gilbert, Jr. Chair in Regenerative Engineering and Medicine (Georgia Institute of Technology)

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

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

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

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

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

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