Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.40 | Oct 10 2013

    0
    40
    Extracellular Matrix News 4.40 October 10, 2013

    Extracellular Matrix News

         In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
    Cell Therapy News on Facebook  Extracellular Matrix News on Twitter

     
    TOP STORY
    Integrin-Modulating Therapy Prevents Fibrosis and Autoimmunity in Mouse Models of Scleroderma
    The authors showed that mouse lines harboring analogous amino acid substitutions in fibrillin-1 recapitulate aggressive skin fibrosis that is prevented by integrin-modulating therapies and reversed by antagonism of the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release
    Derivation of Metabolically Active Hepatocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells - View On-Demand Webinar Now.

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    Bioactive Films Produced from Self-Assembling Peptide Amphiphiles as Versatile Substrates for Tuning Cell Adhesion and Tissue Architecture in Serum-Free Conditions
    The authors developed new coating materials composed of the self-assembling peptide amphiphiles C16G3RGD and C16G3RGDS shown to control cell adhesion and tissue architecture while avoiding the use of serum. [J Mater Chem B] Abstract

    Angiotensin II Stimulates Cardiac Fibroblast Migration via the Differential Regulation of Matrixins and RECK
    Investigators hypothesized that elevated angiotensin II (Ang II), which is associated with fibrosis in the heart, differentially regulates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) both in vivo and in vitro. Continuous infusion of Ang II into male C57Bl/6 mice for two weeks resulted in cardiac fibrosis, with increased expressions of MMPs 2, 7, 9 and 14, and of collagens Ia1 and IIIa1. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

    The Mechanical Properties of Human Adipose Tissues and Their Relationships to the Structure and Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
    It is hypothesized that the matrix can inhibit cellular expansion and lipid storage. It is therefore important to fully characterize the extracellular matrix’s biomechanical properties and its interactions with cells. In this study the authors characterized and compared the mechanical properties of human subcutaneous and omental tissues, which have different physiological functions. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract

    How Changes in Extracellular Matrix Mechanics and Gene Expression Variability Might Combine to Drive Cancer Progression
    Changes in extracellular matrix structure or mechanics can actively drive cancer progression; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here researchers explored whether this process could be mediated by changes in cell shape that lead to increases in genetic noise, given that both factors have been independently shown to alter gene expression and induce cell fate switching. [PLoS One] Full Article

    Efficacy of Tendon Stem Cells in Fibroblast-Derived Matrix for Tendon Tissue Engineering
    Tenogenic differentiation of tendon stem cells (TSCs) needs an appropriate environment. More recently, the acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) generated from fibroblasts has been used to construct various engineering tissues. In this study, scientists successfully developed an engineered tendon tissue formed by seeding TSCs in de-cellularized fibroblast-derived matrix. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

    Investigating Differential Cell-Matrix Adhesion by Directly Comparative Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy
    The authors have recently demonstrated that atomic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy, performed on bifunctional, microstructured adhesion substrates, provides a useful tool for accurately quantitating differential matrix adhesion of single Chinese hamster ovary cells to laminin and collagen I. Here, they extended this approach to include additional extracellular matrix substrates, such as bifunctional collagen I/collagen IV surfaces, as well as adhesion-passivated control surfaces. [J Mol Recognit] Abstract

    Fibrous Hydrogel Scaffolds with Cells Embedded in the Fibers as a Potential Tissue Scaffold for Skin Repair
    A novel approach was undertaken to create a potential skin wound dressing. L929 fibroblast cells and alginate solution were simultaneously dispensed into a calcium chloride solution using a three-dimensional plotting system to manufacture a fibrous alginate scaffold with interconnected pores. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

    Purified Hepatitis B Virus Induces Human Mesangial Cell Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Expression In Vitro
    Hepatitis B virus (HBV) induces proliferation of human mesangial cells (HMCs), and extracellular matrix expression through the deposition of immune complexes in renal tissue. However, it is unclear whether HBV can directly affect HMCs. In this study, the effects of purified HBV on HMC proliferation and extracellular matrix expression in vitro was determined. [Virol J] Abstract | Full Article

    View Technical Data: Superior Chondrogenic Differentiation Potential of MesenCult-XF Cultured MSCs

     
    REVIEWS
    Integrin Modulators: A Patent Review
    Integrins play a key role in various physiological as well as pathological processes, which has turned them into an attractive target for pharmaceutical research. In this review, the latest therapeutic developments of drug candidates and recently patented integrin ligands are summarized. [Expert Opin Ther Pat] Abstract

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

     
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    AlloSource and Humacyte Become Strategic Manufacturing Partners to Create Investigational Bioengineered Blood Vessels from Tissue Donor Cells
    AlloSource, one of the nation’s largest non-profit providers of skin, bone and soft tissue allografts and the world’s largest processor of cellular bone allografts, and Humacyte, Inc., a pioneer in regenerative medicine pursuing development of investigational bioengineered blood vessels, announced that they have entered into a long-term strategic manufacturing partnership. [AlloSource] Press Release

    SpinalCyte, LLC Receives Australian Patent for Spinal Disc Tissue Engineering
    SpinalCyte, LLC announced the Australian Patent Office issued a Notice Of Acceptance on its patent application “Methods and Compositions For Repair Of Cartilage Using An In Vivo Bioreactor” to regrow the spinal disc, using human dermal fibroblasts. The allowed claims include the use of human dermal fibroblasts from the patient’s own body, to regrow the nucleus of the spinal disc in vivo. [SpinalCyte, LLC]
    Press Release

    New wallchart from our sponsor: Mesenchymal Stem Cells (a Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology collaboration). Request your free copy.

     
    POLICY NEWS
    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)

     
    EVENTS
    NEW Eighth Symposium on Biologic Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine
    April 24-26, 2014
    Napa Valley, United States

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

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW PhD Fellowship – Physics & Biochemistry of Cell – Polysaccharide Matrix Interactions (CIC Biomagune)

    Assistant Professor – Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy (Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science)

    Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics (Massachusetts General Hospital / Radiation Oncology)

    Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

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

    Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Quality Control Analyst – Media (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)


    Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

     

    Have we missed an important article or publication in Extracellular Matrix News? Click here to submit!

    Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.

    Learn more about Extracellular Matrix News: Archives | Events | Contact Us