Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.24 | Jun 20 2013

ECM Modulated Early Kidney Development in Embryonic Organ Culture
Researchers explored the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents on renal structure formation during renal organogenesis. They used a recently established organ culture setup to expose embryonic kidney rudiments directly to a large set of surface-immobilized or dissolved ECM molecules and growth factors. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Activin A Suppresses Osteoblast Mineralization Capacity by Altering Extracellular Matrix Composition and Impairing Matrix Vesicle Production
Activin A inhibition of extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization coincided with a strong decline in alkaline phosphatase activity in extracellular compartments, ECM and matrix vesicles. SILAC-based quantitative proteomics disclosed intricate protein composition alterations in the activin A ECM, including changed expression of collagen XII, osteonectin and several cytoskeleton-binding proteins. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Abstract

ERP57 Secretion Is Important for Extracellular Matrix Accumulation and Renal Fibrosis Progression and Is an Earlier Sign of Disease Onset
Protein interaction studies revealed that secreted ERP57 exhibit a strong interaction with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Knockdown of ERP57 or antibody targeted inhibition of the secreted form impaired significantly the secretion and accumulation of ECM. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Probing the Biofunctionality of Biotinylated Hyaluronan and Chondroitin Sulfate by Hyaluronidase Degradation and Aggrecan Interaction
Hyaluronidase, an enzyme that degrades hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate in the extracellular matrix, was investigated as a probe to evaluate the biofunctionality of the immobilized glycosaminoglycans, using both quartz crystal microbalance and high-performance liquid chromatography. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

In Vitro Extracellular Matrix Model to Evaluate Stroma Cell Response to Transvaginal Mesh
The authors aimed to establish an in vitro experimental model to study the micro-environment of extracellular matrix with embedded mesh and the stroma cell behaviors to different synthetic meshes. [Neurourol Urodyn] Abstract

Collagen-Gelatin-Genipin-Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffolds Colonized by Human Primary Osteoblasts Are Suitable for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications: In Vitro Evidences
The use of hydroxyapatite (HAp) in reconstructive surgery has shown that it is slowly invaded by host tissue. Therefore, implant compatibility may be augmented by seeding cells before implantation. Human primary osteoblasts were seeded onto innovative collagen-gelatin-genipin-HAp scaffolds containing respectively 10%, 20% and 30% HAp. Cellular adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin and osteocalcin expressions were evaluated after 3, 7, 15 and 21 days. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Fibronectin Adsorption on Functionalized Electrospun PCL Scaffolds: Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Studies
Scientists examined the effect of functionalization on fibronectin adsorption to electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds through experimentation using fluorescently labeled fibronectin and to couple this experimental data with analysis of interaction energies obtained through molecular dynamics simulations to develop a better understanding of the adsorption process. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Domain Formation as an Indicator of Chondrocyte Dedifferentiation and Hypertrophy
Scientists hypothesized that functional exclusion of dedifferentiated chondrocytes can be achieved by the selective mapping of collagen molecules deposited by chondrogenic cells in 3D environment. Freshly isolated and in vitro expanded human fetal or adult articular chondrocytes were cultured in a thermo-reversible hydrogel at density of 1×107 cells/mL for 24 h. Chondrocytes were released from gel, stained with antibodies against collagen type 2 (COL II) or COL I or COL X and sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting. [Tissue Eng Part C] Abstract

NUS Team Creates Realistic 3-D Tumor through Tissue Engineering Using Silk Scaffolds
A team of National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers from the Departments of Bioengineering and Orthopedic Surgery developed a highly realistic three-dimensional (3-D) tumor model. As it replicates the conditions in the body, it is able to track the effectiveness and progress of drug therapy. Their model has the potential to be a more effective method for studying tumors than in-vitro and even in-vivo methods. [AlphaGalileo Foundation] Press Release

A Biomedical Breakthrough Could Quicken the Clotting Process
Researchers have engineered “designer” blood clots-­artificial platelets that could enhance the body’s natural clotting process and mitigate painful scarring. In animal trials, the platelets reduced clotting time by 30 percent. [Georgia Institute of Technology] Press Release

Genoa Pharmaceuticals and McMaster University Demonstrate In Vivo Benefit of Inhaled Pirfenidone Offering Greater Pulmonary Fibrosis Efficacy than Oral Therapy
Genoa Pharmaceuticals and collaborator’s Drs. Martin Kolb and Kjetil Ask at McMaster University announced the measured advantages of inhaled GP-101 (aerosol pirfenidone) in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Utilizing the standard in vivo model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, they demonstrated that small inhaled doses yielding high peak, short duration lung pirfenidone concentrations offers statistically greater anti-fibrotic efficacy than higher oral doses resulting in low peak drug exposure. [Genoa Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

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NEW 23rd European Tissue Repair Society Meeting: Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
October 23-25, 2013
Remis, France

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

NEW Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immune Regulation by Extracellular Matrix Proteins (Johns Hopkins University – School of Medicine)

PhD Position – 3D Structured Self-Assembled Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering (Delft University of Technology)

PhD Position – Tissue Engineering (Medizinische Hochschule Hannover)

Postdoctoral Studentship – Molecular Biomechanics of α-Actin Remodeling (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

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