Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.45 | Nov 14 2013

Lateral Boundary Mechanosensing by Adherent Cells in a Collagen Gel System
Scientists conclude that the presence of physical boundaries interrupts the process of cell-mediated collagen compaction and fiber alignment in the collagen matrix and enhances the formation of cell extensions. This new cell culture platform provides a geometry that more closely approximates the native basement membrane and will help to elucidate the roles of cell extensions and lateral mechanosensing on extracellular matrix remodeling by invasion and degradation. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Electrospun Gelatin Scaffolds Incorporating Rat Decellularized Brain Extracellular Matrix for Neural Tissue Engineering
Scientists first demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed decellularization protocol and the cytocompatibility of the resulting brain matrix. Then, the in vitro biological assays of the conditioned electrospun scaffolds, using rat allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells, confirmed their biocompatibility and showed a differentiative potential in presence of just 1% w/w decellularized rat brain extracellular matrix. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogels Containing Covalently Integrated Drug Depots: Implication for Controlling Inflammation in Mechanically Stressed Tissues
Radically cross-linkable block copolymer micelles assembled from an amphiphilic block copolymer consisting of hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) partially modified with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, and hydrophobic poly(n-butyl acryclate) were employed as the drug depots and the microscopic cross-linkers for the preparation of hyaluronic acid-based, hydrogels. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract | Press Release

The Effects of Age and the Expression of SPARC on Extracellular Matrix Production by Cardiac Fibroblasts in 3-D Cultures
To determine whether fibroblast production, processing, and deposition of collagen differed with age, primary cardiac fibroblasts from neonate, adult, and old mice were isolated and cultured in 3-dimensional fibrin gels. [PLoS One] Full Article

Anti-Connective Tissue Growth Factor Antibody Treatment Reduces Extracellular Matrix Production in Trabecular Meshwork and Lamina Cribrosa Cells
Researchers found that FG-3019 is effective in blocking extracellular matrix production in trabecular meshwork and lamina cribrosa cells thus supporting a role for the use of anti-connective tissue growth factor immunotherapy in the treatment of glaucoma. [Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci] Abstract

Return of Motor Function after Repair of a 3-cm Gap in a Rabbit Peroneal Nerve: A Comparison of Autograft, Collagen Conduit, and Conduit Filled with Collagen-GAG Matrix
Scientists evaluated the motor nerve recovery in a rabbit model after repair of a 3-cm gap in the peroneal nerve with a conduit filled with a collagen-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) matrix and compared the results with those after reconstruction with an autograft or an empty collagen conduit. [J Bone Joint Surg Am] Abstract

Millimeter Wave Promotes the Synthesis of Extracellular Matrix and the Proliferation of Chondrocyte by Regulating the Voltage-Gated K⁺ Channel
While it is unclear if millimeter wave enhances extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and proliferation of chondrocytes by regulating K⁺ channel activity, the authors investigated the effects of millimeter waves on ECM synthesis, chondrocyte proliferation and ion channels in the primary chondrocyte culture. [J Bone Miner Metab] Abstract

Role of Extracellular Matrix and YAP/TAZ in Cell Fate Determination
Several very recent studies have found a new crosstalk between Wnt and Hippo signaling in the regulation of cell fate determination. Such mechanism may explain how mechanical signals from microenvironment can regulate cell behavior and determine cell fate. [Cell Signal] Abstract

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

FDA Clears Fish-Skin Technology to Heal Human Wounds
Kerecis Limited announced that a 510(k) clearance has been received from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a proprietary fish-skin, Omega3, tissue-regeneration technology for the treatment of chronic wounds in the United States. The technology, marketed under the name MariGen Omega3, is indicated for the management of chronic wounds, including diabetic, vascular and other hard-to-heal wounds. [Kerecis Limited] Press Release

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

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

Postdoctoral Research Fellows (Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine)

PhD Position – Extracellular Matrix Research (Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology)

PhD Studentship – Collagen IV and Angiogenesis (University of East Anglia)

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

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

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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