Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.26 | Jul 9 2015

A Plastic Relationship between Vinculin-Mediated Tension and Adhesion Complex Area Defines Adhesion Size and Lifetime
The authors define a plastic relationship between vinculin-mediated tension and adhesion complex area that controls fundamental cell-matrix adhesion properties. [Nat Commun] Full Article

RhoB Loss Induces Rac1-Dependent Mesenchymal Cell Invasion in Lung Cells through PP2A Inhibition
Scientists identified the small GTPase RhoB as a key regulator of bronchial cell morphology in a three-dimensional (3D) matrix. RhoB loss, which is frequently observed during lung cancer progression, induced an epithelial–mesenchymal transition characterized by an increased proportion of invasive elongated cells in 3D. [Oncogene] Abstract

Integrin α11β1 Regulates Cancer Stromal Stiffness and Promotes Tumorigenicity and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The authors investigated integrin α11β1’s direct role in cancer progression by generating severe combined immune deficient mice deficient in integrin α11 expression. [Oncogene] Full Article

RalB Regulates Contractility-Driven Cancer Dissemination upon TGFβ Stimulation via the RhoGEF GEF-H1
Researchers showed that TGFβ-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes dissemination of A549 cells in a 2/3D assay, independently of proteolysis, by activating the Rho/ROCK pathway which generates actomyosin-dependent contractility forces that actively remodel the extracellular matrix, as assessed by Traction Force microscopy. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cell and Protein Compatible 3D Bioprinting of Mechanically Strong Constructs for Bone Repair
Scientists developed a method for using bioprinting to produce constructs from a thermoresponsive microparticulate material based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) at ambient conditions. Further study showed that protein-releasing microspheres could be incorporated into the bioprinted constructs. [Biofabrication]
Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

3D-Printed Bioresorbable Scaffold for Periodontal Repair
Investigators provide the first reported human case of treatment of a large periodontal osseous defect with a 3D-printed bioresorbable patient-specific polymer scaffold and signaling growth factor. The treated site remained intact for 12 months following therapy. [J Dent Res] Full Article | Press Release

Non-Muscle Myosin II Isoforms Have Different Functions in Matrix Rearrangement by MDA-MB-231 Cells
Researchers used a conditioning protocol to test the role of nonmuscle myosin II isoforms in cell mediated extracellular matrix arrangement using collagen constructs seeded with breast cancer cells expressing shRNA targeted to either the IIA or IIB heavy chain isoform. [PLoS One] Full Article

Proteomic Analysis of Integrin-Associated Complexes from Mesenchymal Stem Cells
To identify regulators of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) force-sensing, researchers sought to catalog MSC integrin-associated adhesion complex composition. Adhesion complexes formed by MSCs plated on the extracellular matrix ligand fibronectin were isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry. [Proteomics Clin Appl] Abstract

Collagen Based Polyurethanes—A Review of Recent Advances and Perspective
Considering versatile properties of the elongated fibrils and wide industrial and biomedical applications including biocompatibility of polyurethane, this review sheds a light on collagen based polyurethane materials with their potential applications especially focusing the bio-medical field. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract

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R-Japan Obtained Autologous Stem Cell Manufacturing License from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
R-Japan Co., Ltd. obtained the license of cell processing facility under the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Kinki Bureau of Health and Welfare. [R-Japan Co., Ltd. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

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