Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.15 | Apr 24 2014

Binding of CD157 to Fibronectin Regulates Cell Adhesion and Spreading
Using solid-phase binding assays and Surface Plasmon Resonance analysis, the authors demonstrated that CD157 binds fibronectin with high affinity within its heparin-binding domains 1 and 2. They found that CD157 binds to other extracellular matrix proteins containing heparin-binding domains. [J Biol Chem]
Abstract | Full Article

Endorepellin Evokes Autophagy in Endothelial Cells
Endorepellin, the C-terminal fragment of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan perlecan, possesses angiostatic activity via dual receptor antagonism, through concurrent binding to the α2β1 integrin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. Scientists discovered that soluble endorepellin induced autophagy in endothelial cells by modulating the expression of Beclin 1, LC3 and p62, three established autophagic markers. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Enhanced Chondrogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells Using Nanopatterned PEG-GelMA-HA Hydrogels
Scientists examined the effects of surface nanotopography and hyaluronic acid on in vitro chondrogenesis of dental pulp stem cells. UV-assisted capillary force lithography was employed to fabricate well-defined, nanostructured scaffolds of composite PEG-GelMA-HA hydrogels that consist of polyethylene glycol (PEG) dimethacrylate, methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), and hyaluronic acid (HA). [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Fibronectin Matrix Polymerization Regulates Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype through a Rac1 Dependent Mechanism
The authors used an in vitro cell culture system to determine the mechanism by which fibronectin polymerization affects smooth muscle phenotypic modulation. They showed that fibronectin polymerization decreases the mRNA levels of multiple smooth muscle differentiation genes, and downregulates the levels of smooth muscle α-actin and calponin proteins by a Rac1-dependent mechanism. [PLoS One] Full Article

Remodeling of Aorta Extracellular Matrix as a Result of Transient High Oxygen Exposure in Newborn Rats: Implication for Arterial Rigidity and Hypertension Risk
Considering that elastin synthesis peaks in late fetal life in humans, and early postnatal life in rodents, researchers postulated that transient neonatal high-oxygen exposure can trigger premature vascular remodeling. [PLoS One] Full Article

Fluctuations in Intraocular Pressure Increase the Trabecular Meshwork Extracellular Matrix
The trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue is constantly exposed to dynamic stress caused by intraocular pressure (IOP). The effects of such biomechanical stress on the TM have not been analyzed. Scientists developed an animal model of fluctuating IOP and evaluated the effects of these fluctuations on TM tissue. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Viscoelastic Properties of Collagen-Adhesive Composites under Water Saturated and Dry Conditions
To investigate the time and rate dependent mechanical properties of collagen-adhesive composites, creep and monotonic experiments were performed under dry and wet conditions. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

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

Organovo Comments on Misleading and Inaccurate Reports
Organovo Holdings, Inc., the San Diego-based regenerative medicine company focused on using its NovoGen 3D human tissue printing technology to create tissue on demand for medical research and therapeutic applications, commented on recent reports published by two unaffiliated firms. [Organovo Holdings, Inc.] Press Release

New wallchart from our sponsor:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (a Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology collaboration). Request your free copy.

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 Position – 3D Structured Engineered Tissues (Nano Fiber Matrices B.V.)

PhD Position – Patterned Biomaterial Degradation to Guide Cell Response, Extracellular Matrix Deposition and In Vivo Tissue Regeneration (Universitaetsmedizin Berlin)

Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular RNA Bioinformatics and Biology (University of California, Los Angeles)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Signaling Mechanisms of GPCRs and Wnts and Their In Vivo Functions (Yale University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell Biology, Protein Trafficking, Kidney Physiology (Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Macromolecule Stabilization (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Position – Therapeutic Advantages of the Combined Use of Scaffold and Cells for Orthopedic Applications (Bone Therapeutics S.A.)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Extracellular Microenvironment in Cancer (Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool)

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

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (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.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.