Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.15 | Apr 23 2015

Adhesion of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Glycosaminoglycan Surfaces with Different Protein Patterns.
Scientists developed surfaces that display glycosaminoglycans and proteins in a spatially controlled fashion. The generated surfaces can be used as a minimalistic but straightforward model aiding the elucidation of cell-extracellular matrix interactions. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Fabrication of 3-Dimensional Multicellular Microvascular Structures
Researchers evaluated the use of 3-dimensional microfibers fabricated by hydrogel electrospinning as templates for microvascular structure formation. Compared to 2-dimensional cultures, they demonstrated that fibrin microfibers induce an increased extracellular matrix protein deposition by vascular cells. [FASEB J] Abstract

Hypoxic Culture of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Stem Cells Differentially Enhances In Vitro Chondrogenesis Within Cell-Seeded Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Porous Scaffolds
The authors assessed the effect of hypoxia on in vitro bone marrow mesenchymal stromal stem cell chondrogenesis within clinically approved porous scaffolds composed of collagen and hyaluronic acid.
[Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract

Electrical Stimulation Modulates the Expression of Multiple Wound Healing Genes in Primary Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Scientists profiled multiple human dermal fibroblast wound-healing genes in response to electrical stimulation (ES) by using the RT2profiler PCR-Array system. The ES modulated genes are involved in cell adhesion, remodeling and spreading, cytoskeletal activity, extracellular matrix metabolism, production of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and growth factors, as well as signal transduction. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Intervertebral Disc Tissue Engineering with Natural Extracellular Matrix-Derived Biphasic Composite Scaffolds
Investigators developed a novel integrated biphasic intervertebral-disc scaffold using a simple freeze-drying and cross-linking technique of pig bone matrix gelatin for the outer annulus fibrosus phase and pig acellular cartilage extracellular matrix for the inner nucleus pulposus phase. [PLoS One] Full Article

Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix by Normal and Tumor-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Cervical Cancer Progression
Researchers indicated that in addition to degradation of the basement membrane, invasion of cervical cancer is accomplished by the remodeling of the interstitial stroma, which includes a decrease and partial replacement of fibronectin and collagens by a laminin-rich matrix. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

The Notch Pathway Mediates the Angiotensin II-Induced Synthesis of Extracellular Matrix Components in Podocytes
Researchers aimed to investigate the effects of the Notch pathway on the synthesis of extracellular matrix components in Angiotensin II (AngII)-stimulated podocytes. They revealed that Ang II upregulated Notch1, Notch intracellular domain 1, hairy and enhancer of split-1, transforming growth factor-β1, type IV collagen and laminin expression and downregulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression in the cultured podocytes. [Int J Mol Med] Abstract

Matriglycan: A Novel Polysaccharide that Links Dystroglycan to the Basement Membrane.
The authors summarize recent advances in our understanding of the enzymatic functions of like-glycosyltransferase and protein O-mannose kinase and discuss the structure of the glycan that directly binds the extracellular matrix ligands and the mechanisms by which this functional motif is linked to dystroglycan. [Glycobiology] Abstract | Full Article

Extracellular Matrix-Inspired Growth Factor Delivery Systems for Bone Regeneration
After introducing the role of growth factors during the bone regeneration process, the authors expose different issues that growth factor-based therapies have encountered in the clinic and highlights recent delivery approaches based on the natural interaction between growth factor and the extracellular matrix. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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

RepliCel Life Sciences Receives Approval to Conduct Clinical Trial for Patients with Chronic Achilles Tendinosis
RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. announced that it has received approval from the University of British Columbia Clinical Research Ethics Board to conduct a Phase I/II clinical trial at the UBC Hospital. The trial will investigate the potential of RepliCel’s tendon repair product, RCT-01, to treat chronic tendon injury. [RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.] Press Release

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PhD Positions – Cartilage Regeneration in Joints and Intervertebral Disc Diseases (AO Research Institute)

Cell Biologist – Neurodegeneration (MedImmune LLC)

Postdoctoral Position – ECM Integrin Signaling (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Signaling (Columbia University Medical Center)

PhD Position – Early Human Brain Development Modeling with hiPSCs (University of Bonn)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Role of ECM Proteolysis in Normal and Pathological Corneal Repair (UCSF)

Associate Director – Cell Therapy (Stelfox)

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

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