Extracellular Matrix News Volume 4.47 | Nov 28 2013

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling by Bone Marrow Fibroblast-Like Cells Correlates with Disease Progression in Multiple Myeloma
Researchers performed a comparative proteome profiling study, analyzing primary human fibroblast-like cells isolated from the bone marrow of multiple myeloma (MM), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), as well as of non-neoplastic control patients. [J Proteome Res] Abstract

Large-Scale Investigation of Leishmania Interaction Networks with the Host Extracellular Matrix by Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging
Investigators have set up an assay to study interactions of live pathogens with their host using protein and glycosaminoglycan arrays probed by surface plasmon resonance imaging and they have used this assay to characterize the interaction of Leishmania promastigotes with ~70 mammalian host biomolecules (extracellular proteins, glycosaminoglycans, growth factors, cell surface receptors). [Infect Immun] Abstract

A Novel In Vitro Model for Microvasculature Reveals Regulation of Circumferential ECM Organization by Curvature
Researchers exploit a 3D fibrin microfiber scaffold to develop a novel in vitro model of the microvasculature that recapitulates endothelial alignment and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in a setting that also allows the sequential co-culture of mural cells. They showed that the microfibers’ nanotopography induces longitudinal adhesion and alignment of endothelial colony-forming cells, and that these deposit circumferentially organized ECM. [PLoS One] Full Article

Triple Combination of siRNAs Targeting TGFβ1, TGFβR2 and CTGF Enhances Reduction of Collagen I and Smooth Muscle Actin in Corneal Fibroblasts
Scientists developed an anti-fibrotic treatment targeting three critical scarring genes, Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGFβ1), TGFβ receptor (TGFβR2) and Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), using a combination of siRNAs and assessed its effect on downstream scarring genes, Collagen-I and alpha smooth muscle actin. [Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci] Abstract

Mechanical Recruitment of N- and C-Crosslinks in Collagen Type I
The authors observed that the N-crosslink served as the first responder to mechanical deformation, followed by the C-crosslink. The results of their simulations suggest a mechanical recruitment mechanism for N- and C-crosslinks. Understanding this mechanism will be crucial for the development of larger-scale predictive models of the mechanical behavior of native collagenous tissues, engineered tissues, and collagen-based materials. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Distribution of Extracellular Matrix Macromolecules in the Vestibular Nuclei and Cerebellum of the Frog, Rana esculenta
Using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods, the authors investigated the distribution pattern of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, tenascin-R, and hyaluronan in the medial, lateral, superior and descending vestibular nuclei and cerebellum of the frog and detected regional differences in the organization of the extracellular matrix. [Neuroscience] Abstract

Small Leucine Rich Proteoglycans Exhibit Unique Spatiotemporal Expression Profiles during Cardiac Valve Development
Small Leucine Rich Proteoglycans (SLRPs) play a role in collagen fiber formation and also function as signaling molecules. Given the importance of collagen synthesis to the cardiovascular extracellular matrix, scientists examined the spatiotemporal expression of SLRPs, not previously investigated in the murine heart. [Dev Dynam] Abstract

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

New Japanese Regenerative Medicine Legislation and Commercial Opportunities for Stem Cell Products
Mesoblast Limited gave an update on new legislation which provides a framework for accelerated approval of stem cell products in Japan, the world’s second-largest mature healthcare market. As a result of the new legislation, a pathway now exists in Japan for Mesoblast to commercialize its mesenchymal lineage stem and precursor cell products within a significantly shorter timeframe. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

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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)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Liver Tissue Engineering (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

PhD Position – Recombinant Collagen Scaffold Design for Tuned Drug Release in Bone Repair (Fraunhofer)

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

Postdoctoral Research Fellows (Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine)

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

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.)

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