Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.09 | Mar 13 2014

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    Extracellular Matrix News 5.09 March 13, 2014

    Extracellular Matrix News

         In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    Cancer Cells Don’t Engage in ‘Drunken’ Walks as They Spread through the Body in 3D
    Because of results seen in flat lab dishes, biologists have believed that cancer cells move through the body in a slow, aimless fashion, resembling an intoxicated person who cannot walk three steps in a straight line. This pattern, called a random walk, may hold true for cells traveling across two-dimensional lab containers, but researchers have discovered that for cells moving through three-dimensional (3D) spaces within the body, the “drunken” model doesn’t hold true. [Press release from Johns Hopkins University discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA]
    Press Release
    | Abstract | Video
    Directed Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells - A Cell Stem Cell Poster

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    Weight Gain Reveals Dramatic Increases in Skeletal Muscle Extracellular Matrix Remodeling
    Researchers aimed to test whether 10% weight gain induced by overfeeding triggers inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling (gene expression, protein, histology) in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue in humans. They also investigated whether such remodeling was associated with an impaired metabolic response (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp). [J Clin Endocr Metab] Abstract

    ALK1 Heterozygosity Increases Extracellular Matrix Protein Expression, Proliferation and Migration in Fibroblasts
    Scientists aimed to evaluate the role of activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) in several processes involved in fibrosis such as extracellular matrix protein expression, proliferation and migration in ALK1+/+ and ALK1+/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts after transforming growth factor beta 1 stimulations and inhibitors. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

    Nanocomposite Scaffold for Chondrocyte Growth and Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Effects of Carbon Nanotube Surface Functionalization
    Investigators hypothesized that single wall carbon nanotube nanocomposite scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering can provide an improved molecular sized substrate for stimulation of chondrocyte growth, as well as structural reinforcement of the scaffold’s mechanical properties. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

    Type VII Collagen Is Enriched in the Enamel Organic Matrix Associated with the Dentin-Enamel Junction of Mature Human Teeth
    Since enamel-forming ameloblasts are known to express type VII collagen and type VII collagen null mice display abnormal amelogenesis, the authors aimed to determine whether type VII collagen is a component of the enamel organic matrix at the dentin-enamel junction of mature human teeth. [Bone] Abstract

    Extra-Cellular Matrix Proteins Induce Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) Activity and Increase Airway Smooth Muscle Contraction in Asthma
    Researchers used airway smooth muscle cells (ASM) and bronchial biopsies from control donors and patients with asthma to examine the regulation of MMP-1 by extracellular matrix in ASM cells and the effect of MMP-1 on ASM contraction. [PLoS One] Full Article

    Quantification of Collagen I in Airway Tissues Using Second Harmonic Generation
    The F/B second harmonic generation ratio was used to determine the proportion of organized to disorganized collagen, with lower variation in F/B ratio between sampling regions within the same patient and between patients in the same disease group compared with analyzing forward (F) (primarily organized/mature collagen fibrils) and backward (B) (primarily disorganized/immature collagen fibrils) data alone. [J Biomed Opt] Abstract

    Generation of Tunable Glycosaminoglycan Hydrogels to Mimic Extracellular Matrices
    The authors present a novel methodology for the extraction, purification and separation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from umbilical cord obtained from two different species, human and pig. The new methodology is based on enzymatic digestion of Wharton’s jelly, precipitation of GAGs with organic solvents, purification steps and chromatographic separation of GAGs using ion exchange columns. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

    Extracellular Matrix Signatures of Human Mammary Carcinoma Identify Novel Metastasis Promoters
    Investigators define extracellular matrix signatures of poorly and highly metastatic mammary carcinomas and these signatures reveal up-regulation of signaling pathways including TGFβ and VEGF. [eLife]
    Full Article
    | Press Release

    NeuroCult™ for Brain Tumor Research - View Publications

     
    REVIEWS
    Translating Koch’s Postulates to Identify Matrix Metalloproteinase Roles in Postmyocardial Infarction Remodeling
    Koch’s postulates were first developed in the 19th century as a way to establish microorganism function and were modified in the 20th century to include methods to establish molecular causality. The authors outline the concept for establishing a similar approach to determine causality in terms of matrix metalloproteinase functions. [Circ Res] Abstract

    Dynamic Changes in Myocardial Matrix and Relevance to Disease: Translational Perspectives
    This review discusses the complex dynamics of the cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) in the setting of myocardial infarction, pressure overload, and volume overload. The authors also summarize the current status of ECM biomarkers that may have clinical value in prognosticating cardiac disease progression in patients. [Circ Res] Abstract

    Significance of Epigenetic Landscape in Cartilage Regeneration from the Cartilage Development and Pathology Perspective
    This review seeks to compile and reorganize the existing literature pertaining to epigenetic remodeling events placing emphasis on perceiving the landscape of epigenetic mechanisms during cartilage regeneration with the new operational definition, especially from the environmental factors’ point of view. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

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

     
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    Skye Biologics Launches New Orthopedic Bioecm® Placental Tissue Line
    Skye will be introducing CryoMatrix™, ActiveBarrier™, and for in clinic applications, new PX50™, part of its cutting edge and diverse line of Next Generation Active BioECM® Orthopedic biologic products derived from placental tissues at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.[Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC] Press Release

    Former Roche Pharmaceuticals CEO Joins Mesoblast Board of Directors
    Mesoblast Limited announced that William M. Burns, former Chief Executive Officer of Roche Pharmaceuticals, has been appointed a non-executive Director of the Mesoblast Board. [Mesoblast Limited]
    Download Press Release

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    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 Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium: Medicinal Stem Cell Products
    October 9-10, 2014
    Leipzig, Germany

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

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

    NEW Postdoctoral position – Extracellular Matrix Biology (Johns Hopkins University)

    Senior Researcher – Cardiac Stem Cell-Matrix Interaction (International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital)

    PhD Position – 3D Structured Self-Assembled Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering (TU Delft)

    Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular Matrix Biomechanics of Healthy and Diseased Skin (CNRS & ENS de Lyon)

    Faculty Position – Cervical Biology (Wayne State University School of Medicine)

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

    Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)


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