Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.18 | May 15 2014

Periostin Secreted by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Supports Tendon Formation in an Ectopic Mouse Model
Scientists hypothesized that during tendon cell differentiation secreted factors involved in extracellular matrix formation exert a major impact on tendon development. [Stem Cell Dev] Abstract

Matrix Metalloproteinase-27 Is Expressed in CD163⁺/ CD206⁺ M2 Macrophages in the Cycling Human Endometrium and in Superficial Endometriotic Lesions
Researchers investigated the expression and cellular localization of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-27 in the cycling human endometrium and in endometriotic lesions. MMP-27 mRNA was detected throughout the menstrual cycle. [Mol Hum Reprod] Abstract

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Null Mice Are Resistant to TGF-β-Induced Anterior Subcapsular Cataract Formation
Investigators used two matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 knockout mice to determine their unique roles in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced anterior subcapsular cataract formation. [Am J Pathol] Abstract

Detection of Extracellular Matrix Degradation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Fresh bovine intervertebral discs were injected with papain solution to induce extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The apparent diffusion coefficients, T2 values, and contents of ECM macromolecules and water resonances were measured longitudinally in the nucleus pulposus. [Magn Reson Med] Abstract

Tight Skin 2 Mice Exhibit a Novel Time Line of Events Leading to Increased Extracellular Matrix Deposition and Dermal Fibrosis
Researchers report that tight skin 2/+ mice develop excess dermal fibrosis with age, as skin is not significantly fibrotic until 10 weeks, a full eight weeks after the development of the physical tight skin phenotype. [Matrix Biol] Full Article

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Matrix Remodeling and Evidence of In Situ Elastogenesis in Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Spatiotemporal changes in the extracellular matrix were studied within abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) generated in rats via elastase infusion. At 7, 14 and 21 days post-induction, AAA tissues were divided into proximal, mid- and distal regions, based on their location relative to the renal arteries and the region of maximal aortic diameter. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Berberine Exposure Triggers Developmental Effects on Planarian Regeneration
The authors report the effects of berberine on regeneration in the planarian Dugesia japonica. Their findings demonstrate that this compound perturbs the regenerative pattern. By real-time PCR screening for the effects of berberine exposure on gene expression, they identified alterations in the transcriptional profile of genes representative of different tissues, as well as of genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling. [Sci Rep]
Full Article

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Giants of the Cytoskeleton Win E.B. Wilson Medal
William “Bill” Brinkley of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, John Heuser of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Peter Satir of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx identified crucial pieces of the cytoskeleton and showed how these elements drive life at the cellular level. [American Society for Cell Biology] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Agents that Promote Extracellular Matrix Production on Tendon Healing (Georgia Institute of Technology)

PhD Studentship – 3D Printing of Hydrogel Scaffolds for 3D Dependent Cell Culture (Technical University of Denmark)

Postdoctoral Fellow – How Breast Cancer Cells Regulate Anchorage-Independent Survival to Overcome Anoikis (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

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 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.)

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 Technologist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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

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