Heart-Specific Stiffening in Early Embryos Parallels Matrix and Myosin Expression to Optimize Beating Sparsely cultured embryonic day 4 (E4) cardiomyocytes on collagen-coated gels showed maximal contraction on matrices with native E4 stiffness, highlighting cell-intrinsic mechanosensitivity. [Curr Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Matrilin-1 is Essential for Zebrafish Development by Facilitating Collagen II Secretion The authors used the zebrafish as an alternative model to study matrilin function in vivo. Matrilin-1 displays a multiphasic expression during zebrafish development. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article First Clinical Application of Octacalcium Phosphate Collagen Composite in Human Bone Defect This study investigated the bone regeneration of octacalcium phosphate (OCP)/collagen in human bone defect as a first clinical trial. Two patients who had a radicular cyst or apical periodontitis consented to participate in the clinical study and OCP/collagen was implanted into the defects after operation. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract MicroRNA-143 Regulates Collagen Type III Expression in Stromal Fibroblasts of Scirrhous Type Gastric Cancer Scientists identified several microRNAs (miRNAs) that are expressed at higher level in scirrhous type gastric cancer (GC) than in non-scirrhous type GC by miRNA microarray analysis. Among these, miR-143 expression was higher in scirrhous type GC than in non-scirrhous types of GC. In situ hybridization and quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that miR-143 is expressed by stromal fibroblasts but not by cancer cells. [Cancer Sci] Abstract Extracellular Matrix Proteins: A Positive Feedback Loop in Lung Fibrosis? The authors describe the expression of elastin, type V collagen and tenascin C during the development of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. They further report in vitro experiments clarifying both the effect of myofibroblast differentiation on this expression and the effect of extracellular elastin on myofibroblast differentiation. [Matrix Biol] Abstract Down-Regulation of Collagen Synthesis and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Myofibroblasts from Dupuytren Nodule Using Adenovirus-Mediated Relaxin Gene Therapy Investigators studied the effect of the relaxin gene on the inhibition of fibrosis in myofibroblastic cells. Myofibroblast cells with adenovirus LacZ as a marker gene or adenovirus relaxin as therapeutic gene showed transgene expressions in beta-galactosidase assay and Western blot analysis. [J Orthop Res] Abstract The Effects of Platelet-Rich Clot Releasate on the Expression of MMP-1 and Type I Collagen in Human Adult Dermal Fibroblasts: PRP Is a Stronger MMP-1 stimulator Whether or not platelet-rich clot releasate (PRCR) is able to effectively modulate the extracellular matrix, and the effect of PRCR on the expression of type I collagen and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 in human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated. [Mol Biol Rep] Abstract Age-Related Disruption of Autophagy in Dermal Fibroblasts Modulates Extracellular Matrix Components Researchers examined the relationship between autophagy and skin aging. Transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy analyses of skin tissue and cultured dermal fibroblasts derived from women of different ages revealed an increase in the number of nascent double-membrane autophagosomes with age. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Effect of Hyaluronic Acid Incorporation Method on the Stability and Biological Properties of Polyurethane-Hyaluronic Acid Biomaterials The authors examined whether the method of biomolecule incorporation (i.e., bulk versus surface modification) into a polyurethane (PU) polymer impacted biomaterial performance in the context of vascular applications. Specifically, hyaluronic acid (HA) was incorporated into a poly(ether urethane) via bulk copolymerization or covalent surface tethering, and the resulting PU-HA materials characterized with respect to both physical and biological properties. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract |