Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.30 | Aug 1 2013

Cooperation of Binding Sites at the Hydrophilic Domain of Cell-Surface Sulfatase Sulf1 Allows for Dynamic Interaction of the Enzyme with Its Substrate Heparan Sulfate
Sulf1 is a cell-surface sulfatase removing internal 6-O-sulfate groups from heparan sulfate (HS) chains. Thereby it modulates the activity of HS-dependent growth factors. For HS interaction Sulf1 employs a unique hydrophilic domain. Affinity-chromatography, AFM-single-molecule force spectroscopy and immunofluorescence on living cells were used to analyze specificity, kinetics and structural basis of this interaction. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Evidence for the Regulatory Role of Lipocalin 2 in High-Fat Diet-Induced Adipose Tissue Remodeling in Male Mice
The authors investigated the role of Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) in adipose tissue remodeling during high fat diet-induced obesity. They found that Lcn2 protein is highly abundant selectively in inguinal adipose tissue. [Endocrinology] Abstract

In Vitro Mesenchymal Trilineage Differentiation and Extracellular Matrix Production by Adipose and Bone Marrow Derived Adult Equine Multipotent Stromal Cells on a Collagen Scaffold
Researchers evaluated the capability of equine multipotent stromal cells from bone marrow and adipose tissue on a type I collagen scaffold to undergo chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and form extracellular matrix in vitro. [Stem Cell Rev] Full Article

Prediction and Analysis of Higher-Order Coiled-Coils: Insights from Proteins of the Extracellular Matrix, Tenascins and Thrombospondins
Scientists evaluated LOGICOIL, a new multi-state predictor for coiled-coil domains, with regard to families of extracellular matrix proteins. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Porous Chitosan Scaffolds with Embedded Hyaluronic Acid/Chitosan/Plasmid-DNA Nanoparticles Encoding TGF-β1 Induce DNA Controlled Release, Transfected Chondrocytes, and Promoted Cell Proliferation
In this study, tissue engineering and local therapeutic gene delivery systems are combined with the design of a novel gene-activated matrix embedded with hybrid hyaluronic acid/chitosan/plasmid-DNA nanoparticles encoding transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. A chitosan scaffold functioned as the three-dimensional carrier for the nanoparticles. [PLoS One] Full Article

Uniaxial Cyclic Strain Stimulates Cell Proliferation and Secretion of IL-6 and VEGF of Human Dermal Fibroblasts Seeded on Chitosan Scaffolds
Human dermal fibroblasts were inoculated into chitosan sponge scaffolds coated with type I collagen and might be developed as a dermal substitute and/or dressing material. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Design of Cell-Matrix Interactions in Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Scaffolds
This review discusses the biological context of hyaluronic acid, knowledge needed to better understand how to engineer cell-matrix interactions in the scaffolds via the incorporation of different types of signals in order to direct and control cell behavior. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Ectopic Mineralization Disorders of the Extracellular Matrix of Connective Tissue: Molecular Genetics and Pathomechanisms of Aberrant Calcification
This overview summarizes the current knowledge of ectopic heritable mineralization disorders, with accompanying animal models, focusing on pseudoxanthoma elasticum and generalized arterial calcification of infancy, two autosomal recessive diseases manifesting with extensive connective tissue mineralization in the skin and the cardiovascular system. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

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

International Regenerative Medicine Expert Joins University
Professor Giulio Cossu, a leading regenerative medicine expert and former Director of the Division of Regenerative Medicine at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute of Milan, joins the University of Manchester from University College London. Professor Cossu will become the new Constance Thornley Chair in Regenerative Medicine at the University, and will lead a major new initiative in regenerative medicine. [The University of Manchester] Press Release

Stem Cell Agency’s Board Approves $70 Million Plan to Develop Innovative Alpha Clinics
A $70 million plan to create a new statewide network of sites that will act as a hub for stem cell clinical trials was approved by the governing Board of California’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The goal of the Alpha Stem Cell Clinics Network is to support and accelerate clinical trials for programs funded by the agency, as well as those developed elsewhere by academic researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

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

PhD Position – Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine (Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia)

PhD Position – Molecular Cell Biology (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms Contributing to Metastases of Breast Cancer Cells (Mount Sinai Medical Center/Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Assistant/Associate Professor Position – Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (Universite de Montreal)

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

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

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

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