Connective Tissue Growth Factor and Integrin αvβ6: A New Pair of Regulators Critical for Ductular Reaction and Biliary Fibrosis Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a matricellular protein that mediates cell-matrix interaction through various subtypes of integrin receptors. Researchers investigated the role of CTGF and integrin αvβ6 in hepatic progenitor/oval cell activation, which often occurs in the form of ductular reactions when hepatocyte proliferation is inhibited during severe liver injury. [Hepatology] Abstract Age-Associated Reduction of Cellular Spreading/Mechanical Force Up-Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression and Collagen Fibril Fragmentation via c-Jun/AP-1 in Human Dermal Fibroblasts Researchers investigated the relationship among fibroblast spreading, mechanical force, matrix metalloproteinase 1 expression, and collagen fibril fragmentation. Reduced fibroblast spreading due to cytoskeletal disruption was associated with reduced cellular mechanical force, as determined by atomic force microscopy. [Aging Cell] Full Article Cytoplasmic Domain Interactions of Syndecan-1 and Syndecan-4 with α6β4 Integrin Mediate HER2- and EGFR-Dependent Motility and Survival HER2-dependent haptotactic migration is compared to chemotactic migration stimulated by EGF. Scientists found that whereas HER2-dependent migration depends on syndecan-1, EGF-dependent migration depends on a complex consisting of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), α6β4 and Sdc4. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Novel Role for Matricellular Proteins in the Regulation of Islet β Cell Survival: The Effect of SPARC on Survival, Proliferation and Signaling Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular protein that is important for the regulation of cell growth and adhesion. Researchers investigated the role of SPARC in the regulation of β cell growth and survival. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Scaffold Mean Pore Size Influences Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenic Differentiation and Matrix Deposition Researchers investigated whether scaffold mean pore sizes affect mesenchymal stem cell initial attachment, morphology, chondrogenic gene expression and cartilage-like matrix deposition. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Antimicrobial Peptides Human Beta-Defensin-3 (hBD-3) and Cathelicidin (LL-37) in a Three-Dimensional Co-Culture Model of Gingival Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts A three-dimensional co-culture model composed of gingival fibroblasts embedded in a collagen matrix overlaid with gingival epithelial cells had a synergistic effect with respect to the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation compared to fibroblasts and epithelial cells alone. [PLoS One] Full Article Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteoblast Differentiation, ECM Deposition, and Biomineralization on PAH/PAA Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Researchers show that human mesenchymal stromal cells induced with bone differentiation medium to become osteoblasts biomineralize crosslinked polyelectrolyte multilayer built with the polycation poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and the polyanion poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract Role of Integrin α2β1 in Mediating Osteoblastic Differentiation on Three-Dimensional Titanium Scaffolds with Submicron-Scale Texture Scientists tested the potential benefit of combining a submicron-scale textured surface with 3D structure on osteoblast differentiation and the involvement of an integrin-driven mechanism. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract Membrane-Type I Matrix Metalloproteinase-Dependent Ectodomain Shedding of Mucin16/CA-125 on Ovarian Cancer Cells Modulates Adhesion and Invasion of Peritoneal Mesothelium Scientists investigated the potential role of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase, a transmembrane collagenase highly expressed in ovarian cancer cells, in Mucin16/cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) ectodomain shedding. [Biol Chem] Abstract Microarray-Based Detection and Expression Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Drug-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines Extracellular matrix (ECM) can influence drug resistance by inhibiting the penetration of the drug into cancer tissue as well as increased apoptosis resistance. Scientists report changes in the ECM and related gene expression pattern in methotrexate-, cisplatin-, doxorubicin-, vincristine-, topotecan- and paclitaxel-resistant variants of the W1 ovarian cancer cell line. [Oncol Rep] Abstract |