Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.08 | Mar 5 2015

Modifications in Stromal Extracellular Matrix of Aged Corneas Can Be Induced by Ultraviolet A Irradiation
To ascertain the implication of ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure in extracellular matrix changes observed with age in human cornea, scientists developed a model of photoaging by chronically exposing corneal stroma keratocytes with a precise UVA irradiation protocol. Using this model, they analyzed UVA-induced transcriptomic and proteomic changes in corneal stroma. [Aging Cell] Full Article

Macromolecularly Crowded In Vitro Microenvironments Accelerate the Production of Extracellular Matrix-Rich Supramolecular Assemblies
Investigators assessed the influence of macromolecular crowding, a biophysical phenomenon that regulates intra- and extra-cellular activities in multicellular organisms, in human corneal fibroblast culture. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Anti-Fibrotic Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Irradiated Lungs via Stimulating Endogenous Secretion of HGF and PGE2
To investigate the specific roles of mesenchymal stem cells in ameliorating radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis, researchers treated control groups of irradiated rats with human skin fibroblasts or phosphate-buffered saline. After mesenchymal stem cells were infused, host secretions of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were elevated compared with those of the controls. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Matrix Stiffness-Modulated Proliferation and Secretory Function of the Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
The authors report how airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) respond to a change in mechanical stiffness of a matrix, to which ASMCs adhere, because mechanical stiffness of the remodeled airways is often different from the physiological stiffness. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Estrogen Receptor Alpha Mediates Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Expression of Specific Matrix Effectors and Functional Properties of Breast Cancer Cells
Estrogen receptor alpha silencing in MCF-7 cells strongly induced cellular phenotypic changes accompanied by significant changes in gene and protein expression of several markers typical of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Notably, these cells exhibited enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. [Matrix Biol] Full Article

The Roles of Integrins in Function of Human Neutrophils after Their Migration through Endothelium into Interstitial Matrix
Scientists investigated the changes in neutrophil phenotype and function after transendothelial migration, and the roles played by integrin receptors in their behavior. [PLoS One] Full Article

Generation of Scaffoldless Hyaline Cartilaginous Tissue from Human iPSCs
Investigators developed an approach to generate scaffoldless hyaline cartilage from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). They optimized the culture conditions and found BMP2, transforming growth factor β1, and GDF5 critical for GFP expression and thus chondrogenic differentiation of the hiPSCs. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

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Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Offers Clinical Trial for Solid Tumors with Novel Small Molecule Agent
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is offering a clinical trial examining the investigational treatment known as ONC201 in patients with solid tumors whose cancer no longer responds to standard therapy. [Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey] Press Release

CorMatrix^® Cardiovascular, Inc. Secures Twelve Additional U.S. Patents for ECM^® Biomaterial
CorMatrix^® Cardiovascular, Inc. announced the issuance of U.S. patent numbers directed to CorMatrix’s novel augmented extracellular matrix (ECM^®) bioscaffolds. [CorMatrix^® Cardiovascular, Inc.] Press Release

CorMatrix^® Receives U.S. FDA Approval for Tricuspid Heart Valve Study
CorMatrix Cardiovascular Inc. announced FDA approval of an Investigational Device Exemption for an early feasibility study of its CorMatrix^® ECM^® Tricuspid Heart Valve. [CorMatrix^® Cardiovascular, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Senior Scientist – Cell Biology CMC (Selvita)

NEW PhD Studentship – Cell Migration (MOCA Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Cells in Altered Matrix Environments (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

PhD Studentship – Experimental Biophysics (ibidi GmbH)

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