Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.40 | Oct 16 2014

Densely Ionizing Radiation Acts via the Microenvironment to Promote Aggressive Trp53 Null Mammary Carcinomas
Trp53 null tumors arising in mice densely irradiated had a shorter median time to appearance and grew faster once detected compared to those in sham-irradiated or gamma-irradiated mice. Tumors were further classified by markers keratin 8/18, keratin 14 and estrogen receptor and expression profiling. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Survival, Proliferation and Differentiation Enhancement of Neural Stem Cells Cultured in Three-Dimensional Polyethylene Glycol-RGD Hydrogel with Tenascin
Researchers studied the effect of a combined arginyl glycyl aspartic acid (RGD) and tenascin C mixture in three dimensional culture on the survival, growth and differentiation of neural stem cells. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Collagen Type XII and Versican Are Present in the Early Stages of Cartilage Tissue Formation by Both Redifferentating Passaged and Primary Chondrocytes
Scientists took advantage of the differential effect of culture conditions on the ability of passaged and primary chondrocytes to form cartilage tissue to dissect out the extracellular matrix molecules produced and accumulated in the early stages of passaged cell cartilage tissue formation as they hypothesized that passaged bovine cells that form cartilage accumulate a pericellular matrix that differs from cells that do not form cartilage. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Hydrogen Sulphide Decreases IL-1β-Induced Activation of Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes from Patients with Osteoarthritis
Researchers investigated the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulphide on fibroblast-like synoviocytes, which are key players in osteoarthritis pathogenesis being capable of producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix degrading enzymes. [J Cell Mol Med] Abstract

Sustained Induction of Collagen Synthesis by TGF-β Requires Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis of CREB3L1
Scientists show that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a cytokine known to stimulate production of collagen during wound healing and fibrotic diseases, induces proteolytic activation of cAMP response element binding protein 3-like 1 (CREB3L1) in human A549 cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

A Novel 2.5D Culture Platform to Investigate the Role of Stiffness Gradients on Adhesion-Independent Cell Migration
To better understand the effects of stiffness gradients on cell migration, researchers developed a 2.5 dimensional (2.5D) cell culture platform where cells are sandwiched between stiff tissue culture plastic and soft alginate hydrogel. Under these conditions, they observed migration of cells from the underlying stiff substrate into the alginate matrix. [PLoS One] Full Article

Transcription Factor Mohawk Controls Tenogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were seeded in a collagen scaffold and transplanted into a rat Achilles tendon defect model. Tenogenesis related gene expressions and histological features were analyzed. BMP-12 induced tenogenesis in BMMSCs as indicated by increased COL1a1, TNXB, DCN and scleraxis mRNA, and mohawk homeobox expression increased simultaneously. [J Orthop Res] Abstract

Conjunctival Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Glaucoma Patients
Scientists evaluated the conjunctival expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in the normal eye, primary open-angle glaucoma and exfoliation glaucoma and whether there is an association between staining intensities and deep sclerectomy outcome. [Acta Ophthalmol] Abstract

Influence of Substrate Composition on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation and Extracellular Matrix Production in Embryoid Bodies
Researchers investigated whether the type of extracellular matrix (ECM) initially adsorbed to the culture substrate can influence the composition of the ECM deposited by human embryonic stem cells differentiating in embryoid bodies, and whether different ECM composition and deposition profiles elicit distinct differentiation fates. [Biotechnol Prog] Abstract

The Effects of Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Surface Silanization on the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate
The inherent hydrophobicity of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is unfavourable for cell culture, causing cells to eventually dislodge from the surface. Although physically adsorbed matrix proteins can promote initial cell adhesion, this effect is usually short-lived. To address this critical issue researchers employed (3-aminopropyl) triethoxy silane and cross-linker glutaraldehyde chemistry to immobilize collagen type 1 on PDMS. [Biomater Sci] Abstract

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

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. Announces Presentation of Encouraging Preclinical Data for CCH from Collaborative Uterine Fibroid Study with Duke Medicine
BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. announced that a paper titled, “Stiffness of Human Uterine Fibroids is Reduced After Treatment with Purified Clostridial Collagenase due to Collagen Degradation” was presented. [Press release from BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. discussing research presented at the Mechanotransduction in the Reproductive Tract Conference, Durham] Press Release

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Halozyme Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent for Companion Diagnostic for PEGPH20
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 8,846,034 claiming methods for selecting a subject for treatment of a hyaluronan-associated disease with an anti-hyaluronan agent, such as PEGPH20, as well as diagnostic agents for the detection and quantification of hyaluronan in a biological sample in patients. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

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 Position – Skeletal Research Center (Case Western Reserve University)

Postdoctoral Position – Musculoskeletal Genetics (Henry Ford Health System)

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

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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