Directional Cell Movement through Tissues Is Controlled by Exosome Secretion Researchers used intravital imaging to demonstrate that secretion of exosomes from late endosomes is required for directionally persistent and efficient in vivo movement of cancer cells. Inhibiting exosome secretion or biogenesis leads to defective tumor cell migration associated with increased formation of unstable protrusions and excessive directional switching. [Nat Commun] Full Article Stromal Fibroblasts Facilitate Cancer Cell Invasion by a Novel Invadopodia-Independent Matrix Degradation Process The authors report that cells of mesenchymal origin, including tumor-associated fibroblasts, degrade substantial amounts of surrounding matrix by a mechanism independent of conventional invadopodia. [Oncogene] Abstract A Ring Barrier–Based Migration Assay to Assess Cell Migration In Vitro Scientists outline a protocol for the in vitro study of cell migration using a ring barrier–based assay. An advantage of this assay over the conventional scratch assay is that the cells move over an unaltered and virgin surface, and thus the effect of matrix components on cell migration can be studied. [Nat Protoc] Abstract Development of a Gene-Activated Scaffold Platform for Tissue Engineering Applications Using Chitosan-pDNA Nanoparticles on Collagen-Based Scaffolds Researchers explored the potential of a series of collagen-based scaffolds as gene-activated scaffold platforms with potential in a range of tissue engineering applications. The potential of chitosan, a biocompatible material derived from the shells of crustaceans, as a gene delivery vector was assessed using mesenchymal stem cells. [J Control Release] Abstract Arachidonic Acid Promotes Skin Wound Healing through Induction of Human MSC Migration by MT3-MMP-Mediated Fibronectin Degradation Scientists investigated skin wound-healing effect of arachidonic acid-stimulated human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vivo and its molecular mechanism in vitro. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Biodegradable CSMA/PECA/Graphene Porous Hybrid Scaffold for Cartilage Tissue Engineering Investigators prepared a novel hybrid scaffold composed of methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (CSMA), poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-ε-caprolactone-acryloyl chloride (PECA) and graphene oxide and evaluated its potential application in cartilage tissue engineering. [Sci Rep] Full Article The Role of Cyclooxygenase-2, Interleukin-1β and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 in the Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Sheared-Chondrocytes and Articular Cartilage Using primary chondrocytes and T/C-28a2 chondrocytic cells as model systems, researchers report that prolonged application of high fluid shear to human chondrocytes induced the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β and fibroblast growth factor-2, which led to a marked increase in MMP-1 expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article A Hyaluronan-Based Injectable Hydrogel Improves the Survival and Integration of Stem Cell Progeny following Transplantation Investigators designed an injectable and bioresorbable hydrogel blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose and tested it with two cell types in two animal models, gaining an understanding of its general applicability for enhanced cell distribution, survival, integration, and functional repair relative to conventional cell delivery in saline. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release |