Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.03 | Jan 30 2014

Direct Cytocidal Effect of Galectin-9 Localized on Collagen Matrices on Human Immune Cell Lines
An attempt was made to develop new collagen matrices, which can cause local, contact-dependent immune suppression, using galectin-9 and collagen-binding galectin-9 fusion proteins as active ingredients. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Developmentally Regulated Collagen/Integrin Interactions Confer Adhesive Properties to Early Postnatal Neural Stem Cells
To examine the specific adhesive properties of young stem cells in more detail, neural stem and progenitor cells isolated from embryonic, postnatal day 6, and adult mouse brains were cultured on collagen I. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Hsp90 Binds Directly to Fibronectin (FN) and Inhibition Reduces the Extracellular Fibronectin Matrix in Breast Cancer Cells
Exogenous heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)β was shown to increase the formation of extracellular FN matrix in the Hs578T cell line, whilst knockdown or inhibition of Hsp90 led to a reduction in the levels of both soluble and insoluble FN and could be partially rescued by addition of exogenous Hsp90β. [PLoS One] Full Article

CADM1 Controls Actin Cytoskeleton Assembly and Regulates Extracellular Matrix Adhesion in Human Mast Cells
The authors investigated a role for CADM1 in mast cell (MC) adhesion to both cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). Downregulation of CADM1 in the human MC line HMC-1 resulted not only in reduced adhesion to human airway smooth muscle cells, but also reduced adhesion to their ECM. [PLoS One] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling following Myocardial Infarction Influences the Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mechanical and compositional changes to the decellularized infarcted myocardium were characterized to understand how the extracellular environment, specifically, was altered as a function of time following coronary artery ligation in Sprague-Dawley rats. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Microablation of Collagen-Based Substrates for Soft Tissue Engineering
Through the use of excimer-laser technology, investigators have optimized conditions for the ablation of collagen lamellae without denaturation of protein, maintenance of fibrillar ultrastructure and preservation of native D-periodicity. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Myocardial Fibroblast-Matrix Interactions and Potential Therapeutic Targets
This review highlights critical points in the regulation of collagen deposition by fibroblasts, the current panel of molecular tools used to identify fibroblasts and the role of fibroblast-matrix interactions in fibroblast function and differentiation into the myofibroblast phenotype. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Tenascins in Stem Cell Niches
The authors summarize the expression and possible functions of tenascins in neural, epithelial and osteogenic stem cell niches during normal development and organ turnover, in the hematopoietic and pro-inflammatory niche as well as in the metastatic niche during cancer progression. [Matrix Biol] Full Article

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

Halozyme Announces Positive Opinion from CHMP For European Approval of Roche’s MabThera SC
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the EU Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended that the European Commission approve Roche’s subcutaneous (SC) formulation of MabThera^® using Halozyme’s recombinant human hyaluronidase for the treatment of patients with common forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Cardium Announces Strategic Focus on Advanced Regenerative Therapeutics Based on Generx Clinical Findings
Cardium Therapeutics Inc. reported on the Company’s strategic focus on its two advanced regenerative medicine therapeutics, based on encouraging preliminary findings from its Generx^® Aspire International Phase III registration clinical study, and data on the utility of Excellagen^® for wound healing and as a biologics delivery platform. [Cardium Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Development of Uni-Lamellar Scaffolds for Bio-Mineralization in Bone Repair (Fujifilm)

NEW MSc Studentship – Soft Tissue Nanomechanics (Saint Mary’s University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Adult CNS Plasticity (University of Turin)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Mechanisms of Angiogenesis and Vasculogenesis during Development and Retinal Diseases (State University of New York)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Proteomics and Cancer Biology (The Institute of Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Matrix-Integrin Signaling and Trafficking of Membrane Transporters (Massachusetts General Hospital)

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

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Mechanobiology, Fibroblasts and Matrix Biology (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Bioengineering (Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute)

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