Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.38 | Oct 2 2014

Tenascin-R Promotes Assembly of the Extracellular Matrix of Perineuronal Nets via Clustering of Aggrecan
In tenascin-R-deficient cultures, accumulations of several extracellular matrix molecules were mostly associated with somata, whereas dendrites were sparsely covered, compared with wild-type mice. [Phil Trans R Soc B] Abstract

Gln362 of Angiopoietin-2 Mediates Migration of Tumor and Endothelial Cells through Association with α5β1 Integrin
Researchers found that the Gln362 residue of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) was essential for binding to α5β1 integrin. A Q362E Ang-2 mutant, which still bound to Tie2, failed to associate with α5β1 integrin and was unable to activate the integrin downstream signaling of focal adhesion kinase. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Integrin αvβ3 Mediates the Synergetic Regulation of Core-Binding Factor α1 Transcriptional Activity by Gravity and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 through Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling
Scientists report the involvement of integrin αvβ3 in microgravity-associated bone loss. An established OSE-3T3 cell model was stably transfected with an osteoblast-specific element 2-luciferase reporter and cultured under simulated microgravity and hypergravity conditions in the presence or absence of insulin-like growth factor 1, the disintegrin echistatin, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002, or combinations of these agents. [Bone] Abstract

Mesodermal Expression of Integrin α5β1 Regulates Neural Crest Development and Cardiovascular Morphogenesis
Researchers found that defects in arch artery remodeling stem from the role of mesodermal integrin α5β1 in neural crest proliferation and differentiation into vascular smooth muscle cells, while proliferation of pharyngeal mesoderm and differentiation of mesodermal derivatives into vascular smooth muscle cells was not defective. [Dev Biol] Abstract

Switch from αvβ5 to αvβ6 Integrin Is Required for CD9-Regulated Keratinocyte Migration and MMP-9 Activation
Scientists reveal that the expressions of integrin subunits β5 and β6 were regulated by CD9. Furthermore, CD9 silencing triggered the switch from αvβ5 to αvβ6 integrin in HaCaT keratinocytes and CD9 overexpression reversed the switch. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

The Role of FGF-2/HGF and Fibronectin Matrix on Pleomorphic Adenoma Myoepithelial Cell Morphology and Immunophenotype: An In Vitro Study
Scientists analyzed the in vitro effects of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in myoepithelial cells under the influence of the fibronectin matrix extracellular protein. [Growth Factors] Abstract

The Effect of Extracellular Matrix Proteins on the Cellular Response of HUVECS and HOBS after Covalent Immobilization onto Titanium
Investigators evaluated of the cellular response of human umbilical cord cells (HUVECS) and human osteoblasts (HOBS) on titanium covalently coated with the extracellular matrix-proteins fibrinogen, collagen, laminin and osteopontin. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

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Regeneus’ Osteoarthritis Cell Therapy, HiQCell, to Launch in Singapore
Regeneus Ltd. announced plans to open the HiQCell Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Singapore, and the appointment of leading specialist sports physician, Dr. Patrick Goh, as Medical Director. Through the clinic, Goh will provide patients in Singapore with access to Regeneus’ HiQCell, an innovative cell therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with first treatments expected to commence in late 2014. [Regeneus Ltd.] Press Release

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NEW Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Biomimetic Tissue Constructs (Johns Hopkins University)

PhD Scholarship – Mass Spectrometry-Based Structural Characterization of Cross-Linked Peptides from Extracellular Matrix Proteins (Technical University of Denmark)

Postdoctoral Position – Matrix Biology (Boise State University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes / Kidney Disease / Extracellular Matrix (Vanderbilt University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell Matrix Interactions and Progression of Kidney Disease (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Animal Surgery (Stanford University)

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.)

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