Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.01 | Jan 15 2015

Leader Cells Regulate Collective Cell Migration via Rac Activation in the Downstream Signaling of Integrin β1 and PI3K
Scientists focused on collectively migrating Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells that follow a leader cell on a collagen gel to clarify the mechanism of collective cell migration. [Sci Rep] Full Article

αvβ6 Integrin Is Required for TGFβ1-Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Expression
Researchers demonstrate for the first time that the αvβ6 integrin interacts with TGFβ receptor II through the β6 cytoplasmic domain and promotes Smad3 activation in prostate cancer cells. [Biochem J] Abstract

A Therapy-Grade Protocol for Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using Platelet Lysate as Supplement
Scientists present a therapy-grade, inexpensive and simple protocol to derive mesenchymal stem cells from pluripotent stem cells based on the use of platelet lysate as medium supplement. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

The αvβ6 Integrin Is Transferred Intercellularly via Exosomes
Scientists investigated whether transfer of integrins through exosomes between prostate cancer cells occurs, and whether transferred integrins promote cell adhesion and migration. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-19 Deficient Fibroblasts Display a Profibrotic Phenotype
Investigators explored the effect of MMP19 deficiency on fibroblast gene expression and cell behavior. Microarray analysis of Mmp19^-/- lung fibroblasts revealed the dysregulation of several profibrotic pathways including extracellular matrix formation, migration, proliferation and autophagy. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Microtubule-Dependent Modulation of Adhesion Complex Composition
Researchers used label-free quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to determine adhesion complex changes that occur upon microtubule disruption with nocodazole. Nocodazole-treated cells displayed an increased abundance of the majority of known adhesion complex components, but no change in the levels of the fibronectin-binding α5β1 integrin. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Adhesive Protein Invasin of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Induces Neutrophil Extracellular Traps via β1 Integrins
Scientists show that invasin induces production of reactive oxygen species and release of chromatin into the extracellular milieu, which they confirmed to be neutrophil extracellular traps by immunofluorescence microscopy. This was mediated through β1 integrins and was dependent on both the production of reactive oxygen species and signaling through phosphoinositide 3-kinase. [Microbes Infect] Abstract

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-D Modulates Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Remodeling through TIMP-1 Induction and Attenuation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 Gelatinase Activities
Researchers investigated the molecular mechanism of platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) involvement in liver fibrogenesis. They found that PDGF-D failed to enhance Col I and α-smooth muscle actin production but has capacity to upregulate expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 (TIMP-1) resulting in attenuation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 gelatinase activity as indicated by gelatinase zymography. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Contribution of Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA-4) Integrin to Cancer Progression and Metastasis
The authors give an up-to-date insight into the multiple functional role of VLA-4 in cancer and introduce this integrin as a promising target worthwhile to attract attention in biomedical cancer research. [Cancer Metastasis Rev] Abstract

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Endocrine Society Announces 2015 Laureate Award Winners
The Endocrine Society announced it has selected 14 accomplished endocrinologists as winners of the organization’s prestigious 2015 Laureate Awards. [The Endocrine Society (EurekAlert!)] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Extracellular Matrix Proteomics (Institute of Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Extracellular Matrix and Cell/Tissue Stiffness (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Integrin Mediated Tumor Invasion and Metastasis (Stony Brook University)

Research Associate – Synthetic Collagen Chemist (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Position – Fibrosis Research (Boston University School of Medicine & Boston Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cell-Matrix and Cell-Cell Interactions during Cancer Metastasis and Bacteremia/Sepsis (UCSD)

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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