Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.26 | Jul 10 2014

Niche Anchorage and Signaling through Membrane-Bound Kit-Ligand/c-Kit Receptor Are Kinase Independent and Imatinib Insensitive
Scientists analyzed whether c-kit can function both as an adhesion and signaling receptor to membrane-bound Kit ligand (mb-KitL) presented by the environmental niche. At contacts between fibroblasts and MC/9 mast cells, mb-KitL, and c-kit formed ligand/receptor clusters that formed stable complexes, which resisted dissociation by c-kit blocking mAbs and provided cell anchorage under physiological shear stresses. [FASEB J] Abstract

Osteopontin O-Glycosylation Contributes to Its Phosphorylation and Cell Adhesion Properties
Osteopontin (OPN) regulates cell spreading and adhesion primarily through its association with several integrins such as αvβ3, and its phosphorylation affects these processes. Researchers demonstrate that OPN O-glycosylation self-regulates its biological activities and also affects its phosphorylation status. [Biochem J] Abstract

Glycosaminoglycan Modifications in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Specific Remodeling of Chondroitin Sulfate/Dermatan Sulfate
Researchers performed immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses of endogenous glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in skeletal muscle biopsies of 10 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and 11 healthy individuals (controls). Immunostaining targeted to specific GAG species showed greater deposition of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate in DMD patient biopsies versus control biopsies. [J Neuropathol Exp Neurol] Abstract

The Lateral Membrane Organization and Dynamics of Myelin Proteins PLP and MBP Are Dictated by Distinct Galactolipids and the Extracellular Matrix
To improve understanding of the fundamental properties of myelin, scientists focused on the lateral membrane organization and dynamics of peripheral membrane protein 18.5-kDa myelin basic protein (MBP) and transmembrane protein proteolipid protein (PLP) as a function of the typical myelin lipids galactosylceramide, and sulfatide, and exogenous factors such as the extracellular matrix proteins laminin-2 and fibronectin, employing an oligodendrocyte cell line, selectively expressing the desired galactolipids. [PLoS One] Full Article

Intrinsic Stiffness of Extracellular Matrix Increases with Age in Skeletal Muscles of Mice
Scientists determined the relative contributions of muscle fibers and extracellular matrix (ECM) to muscle passive stiffness in both adult and old animals. Passive mechanical properties were determined for isolated individual muscle fibers and bundles of muscle fibers that included their associated ECM, obtained from tibialis anterior muscles of adult and old mice. [J Appl Physiol] Abstract

Two-Way Regulation between Cells and Aligned Collagen Fibrils: Local 3D Matrix Formation and Accelerated Neural Differentiation of Human Decidua Parietalis Placental Stem Cells
Researchers report on the concerted changes of human decidua parietalis placental stem cells and the highly ordered collagen fibril matrix in response to cell-matrix interaction. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitor, Celecoxib, Inhibits Leiomyoma Cell Proliferation Through the Nuclear Factor κB Pathway
Using in vitro cultures of leiomyoma cells obtained from five patients who underwent hysterectomy, cell proliferation, inflammatory signaling, transcription factors, growth factors, and extracellular matrix were examined by (4,5-dimethylthiaxol-2-yi)-2,5-diphenyltetraxolium bromide assay, immunoblotting, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. [Reprod Sci] Abstract

Fetal and Adult Fibroblasts Display Intrinsic Differences in Tendon Tissue Engineering and Regeneration
Researchers compared FFs (mouse fetal fibroblasts) and AFs (mouse adult fibroblasts) as seed cells for the fabrication of scaffold-free engineered tendons. Their results demonstrated that FFs had more potential for tendon tissue engineering, as shown by higher levels of tendon-related gene expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein and Its Binding Partners in the Cartilage Extracellular Matrix: Interaction, Regulation and Role in Chondrogenesis
The authors compiled the interactions of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein with other proteins in the cartilage extracellular matrix and summarized their importance in maintaining the structural integrity of cartilage as well as in regulating cellular functions. [Matrix Biol] Full Article

Mechanical Signaling in Reproductive Tissues: Mechanisms and Importance
The authors review the mechanisms underlying the process of mechanotransduction – how signals are conveyed from the extracellular matrix that surrounds the cells of reproductive tissues to the downstream molecules and signaling pathways that coordinate the cellular adaptive response to external forces. [Reprod Sci] Abstract

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

European Medicines Agency Renews Marketing Authorization for ChondroCelect
TiGenix NV announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has renewed for an additional five years its marketing authorization for ChondroCelect in all of the 31 countries of the European Union and European Economic Area. [TiGenix NV] Download Press Release

From our sponsor:
Interested in assays for human mammary stem and progenitor cells? Request your free wallchart.

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.

Research Associate – Differentiation Protocols for Generation of Laminated Neural Retinae (Newcastle University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Role of the Basement Membrane in Regulation of Cell and Tissue Behavior in Health and Disease (University of Liverpool)

Research Assistant – Studying Cell-Matrix Interactions by Advanced Imaging Methods (Mechanobiology Institute)

Independent Junior Research Group Leader – Biophysical Aspects of Cell Dynamics, Cell-Cell and/or Cell-Matrix Interactions (Cells in Motion)

Postdoctoral Position – Proteases and Extracellular Matrix (GENYO)

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

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

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

Scientist – Skin Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (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.