Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.45 | Nov 20 2014

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    Extracellular Matrix News 5.45 November 20, 2014

    Extracellular Matrix News

         In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Science News | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    Signaling Molecule Crucial to Stem Cell Reprogramming
    Scientists discovered that attempts to reprogram focal dermal hypoplasia fibroblasts or skin cells with the requisite PORCN mutation into induced pluripotent stem cells failed using standard methods but succeeded when they added WNT proteins. [Press release from UCSD discussing online prepublication in Cell Reports] Press Release | Full Article | Graphical Abstract
    Free Cell Stem Cell Poster: Directed Differentiation of ESCs/iPSCs

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    CXCR4 and a Cell-Extrinsic Mechanism Control Immature B Lymphocyte Egress from Bone Marrow
    Investigators used two-photon intravital microscopy to show that immature B cell retention within bone marrow was strictly dependent on amoeboid motility mediated by CXCR4 and CXCL12 and by α4β1 integrin-mediated adhesion to VCAM-1. [J Exp Med] Abstract | Editorial

    Epithelial β1 Integrin Is Required for Lung Branching Morphogenesis and Alveolarization
    Using an inducible system to delete β1 integrin after completion of airway branching, researchers show that alveolarization defects, characterized by disrupted secondary septation, abnormal alveolar epithelial cell differentiation, excessive collagen I and elastin deposition, and hypercellularity of the mesenchyme occurred independently of airway branching defects. [Development] Abstract

    Optimization and Critical Evaluation of Decellularization Strategies to Develop Renal Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds as Biological Templates for Organ Engineering and Transplantation
    Scientists developed histologic scoring systems to quantify fundamental characteristics of decellularized rodent kidneys: extracellular matrix structure (tubules, vessels, glomeruli) and cell removal. They also assessed growth factor retention, indicating matrix biofunctionality. [Am J Transplant] Abstract | Press Release

    E-Spun Composite Fibers of Collagen and Dragline Silk Protein – Fiber Mechanics, Biocompatibility and Application in Stem Cell Differentiation
    Investigators used the electrospinning technique to fabricate well-aligned composite fibers from collagen and spider dragline silk protein, obtained from the milk of transgenic goats, mimicking the native extracellular matrix on a similar scale. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

    Evaluation of Motor Neuron-Like Cell Differentiation of hEnSCs on Biodegradable PLGA Nanofiber Scaffolds
    Human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) were cultured on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold and tissue culture polystyrene, then differentiation of hEnSCs into motor neuron-like cells under induction media including retinoic acid and sonic hedgehog were evaluated for 15 days. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

    Differential Effects of Tissue Culture Coating Substrates on Prostate Cancer Cell Adherence, Morphology and Behavior
    To improve the adherence of LNCaP cells to the culture surface, scientists compared different coating reagents (poly-L-lysine, poly-L-ornithine, collagen type IV, fibronectin, and laminin) and culturing conditions and analyzed their impact on cell proliferation, adhesion, morphology, mobility and gene expression using real-time technologies. [PLoS One] Full Article

    Differential Sensitivity of Epithelial Cells to Extracellular Matrix in Polarity Establishment
    To elucidate the common features and differences in polarity establishment among various epithelial cells, scientists analyzed the formation of epithelial apical-basal polarity using three cell lines of different origin. These cells showed clear apical-basal polarity in two-dimensional cultures. In three-dimensional cultures, however, each cell line displayed different responses to the same extracellular matrix. [PLoS One] Full Article

    ATP Promotes Extracellular Matrix Biosynthesis of Intervertebral Disc Cells
    The authors investigated the effects of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on the extracellular matrix biosynthesis of porcine intervertebral discs cells isolated from two distinct anatomical regions: the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

    An Expandable, Inducible Hemangioblast State Regulated by Fibroblast Growth Factor
    Scientists identified six transcription factors, Gata2, Lmo2, Mycn, Pitx2, Sox17, and Tal1, that “trap” murine cells in a proliferative state and endow them with a hemangioblast potential. The “expandable” hemangioblasts reveal a central role for fibroblast growth factor, which not only promotes their expansion, but also facilitates their ability to give rise to endothelial cells and leukocytes, but not erythrocytes. [Stem Cell Rep]
    Full Article | Press Release

    SmartDish™ with STEMgrid™-6 for Accurate Counting of Hematopoietic CFU Assays

     
    REVIEWS
    Heparan Sulfate in the Regulation of Neural Differentiation and Glioma Development
    The authors present how heparan sulfate (HS)-regulated pathways are involved in neural differentiation, and discuss their impact on brain development. They also review and critically discuss the important role of structural modifications of HS in glioma growth and invasion. [FEBS J] Full Article

    Cell-Matrix Interactions: Focus on Proteoglycan-Proteinase Interplay and Pharmacological Targeting in Cancer
    The authors describe the emerging biological roles of proteoglycans and proteinases, with a special emphasis on their complex interplay. They critically evaluate this important proteoglycan-proteinase interactome and discuss future challenges with respect to targeting this axis in the treatment of cancer. [FEBS J] Full Article

    Protective Properties of Neural Extracellular Matrix
    Investigators provide an overview on recently emerging aspects of neuroprotective properties of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans and perineuronal nets that might be relevant for our understanding on the distribution and progression of brain pathology and future perspectives toward modifying neurodegenerative diseases. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

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

     
    SCIENCE NEWS
    New Treatment for Marfan Syndrome Shows Promise
    An investigational treatment for Marfan syndrome is as effective as the standard therapy at slowing enlargement of the aorta, the large artery of the heart that delivers blood to the body. [Press release from Washington University in St. Louis discussing research presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2014, Chicago] Press Release

    From our sponsor: Free wallchart from Nature Neuroscience – Neural Stem Cells. Request your copy.

     
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    Thomas Gaborski Named 2014 Young Innovator by International Biomedical Engineering Society
    Gaborski received the 2014 Young Innovator Award in Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering given by the Biomedical Engineering Society. Gaborski and his team are developing ways to use ultra-thin nano-membranes and adipose stem cells to create the vascular network necessary in engineering tissue, skin and organs. [Rochester Institute of Technology] Press Release

    Jennifer A. Lewis Named Foreign Policy Global Thinker
    Harvard materials scientist Jennifer A. Lewis, whose pioneering work in the field of microscale 3D printing is advancing the development of artificial organs, flexible electronics, and special new materials, has been named among Foreign Policy magazine’s “100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2014.” [Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences] Press Release

     
    POLICY NEWS
    National Institutes of Health (United States)

    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)

     
    EVENTS
    NEW Keystone Symposium – Endoderm Lineages in Development and Disease
    February 8-13, 2015
    Keystone, United States

    Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the extracellular matrix community.

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW Associate Professor – Physiology (University of Bergen)

    NEW Animal Surgery – Regenerative Medicine for Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Disease (Duke University)

    NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Physiology and Pharmacology of Human Skeletal Muscle Microtissues (Duke University)

    NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – In Vitro Modeling of Human Skeletal Muscle Disease (Duke University)

    NEW Head of Cellular and Molecular Therapies Laboratory (NHS Blood & Transplant)

    Assistant Professor – Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology (Oregon Health & Science University)

    Assistant Professor – Cell-Matrix Manipulation (Eindhoven University of Technology)

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

    Studentship – Cell Migration (University of East Anglia)

    Postdoctoral Fellow – Collaborative Training Program in Musculoskeletal Health Research (Western University)

    Postdoctoral Position – Proteases and Extracellular Matrix (GENYO)

    Research Associate Position – Skeletal Research Center (Case Western Reserve University)

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

    Postdoctoral Position – Matrix Biology (Boise State 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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