Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.28 | Jul 23 2015

Promotion of Periostin Expression Contributes to the Migration of Schwann Cells
Scientists performed comparative gene expression analysis of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) explant cultures from erbB3 deficient and wild type mice to identify genes that are involved in Schwann cell development and migration. The extracellular matrix gene periostin was found to exhibit the most prominent down regulation in erbB3 deficient DRG. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Vinculin Is Required for Cell Polarization, Migration, and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in 3D Collagen
To address the role of vinculin in 3D cell migration, investigators analyzed the morphodynamics, migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling of primary murine embryonic fibroblasts with cre/loxP-mediated vinculin gene disruption in 3D collagen I cultures. [FASEB J] Abstract

Tissue-Specific Effects of Esophageal Extracellular Matrix
Scientists characterized the in vitro cellular response and in vivo host response to a homologous esophageal mucosal extracellular matrix (ECM) vs. non-homologous ECMs derived from small intestinal submucosa and urinary bladder. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Reduced FoxO3a Expression Causes Low Autophagy in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Fibroblasts on Collagen Matrix
Researchers investigated whether reduced FoxO3a expression causes abnormally low autophagy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) fibroblasts on collagen. They found that FoxO3a mRNA and protein levels are low in IPF fibroblasts, which subsequently suppresses the autophagosomal marker, LC3-B expression on collagen matrix. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Modulates VEGF Calcium Signaling in Endothelial Cells: Individual Cell and Population Analysis
The authors examined endothelial cell calcium signaling in response to VEGF as a function of extracellular matrix stiffness. They developed a new analytical tool to analyze both population based and individual cell responses. Endothelial cells on soft substrates, 4 kPa, were the most responsive to VEGF, whereas cells on the 125 kPa substrates exhibited an attenuated response. [Integr Biol] Abstract

Nanometer-Sized Extracellular Matrix Coating on Polymer-Based Scaffold for Tissue Engineering Applications
Researchers report a novel approach for layer-by-layer fabrication of nanometer-size fibronectin and gelatin layers on electrospun fibrous poly(carbonate urethane)urea scaffolds. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Homocysteine Induces Collagen I Expression by Downregulating Histone Methyltransferase G9a
Investigators demonstrated that elevated concentration of Hcy induced the expression of collagen type I in cultured human liver cells as well as in liver tissue of hyperhomocysteinemia mice. [PLoS One] Full Article

Organelle-Specific Hsp90 Inhibitors
The author introduces current studies regarding the delivery of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors to subcellular organelles, particularly to the extracellular matrix and the mitochondria, and discusses their biological insights and therapeutic implications. [Arch Pharm Res] Abstract

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Protagonist Therapeutics Raises $40 Million Series C Financing to Advance Oral Peptide Drugs into Clinical Development
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. announced the closing of a $40 million Series C financing. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance Protagonist’s development candidate, PTG-100, into human clinical testing as a potential ‘oral targeted therapy’ for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), as well as to further the development of additional oral peptide drug candidates in the company’s product pipeline. PTG-100 is an orally stable peptide therapeutic that works by specifically blocking alpha-4-beta-7 integrin, a clinically validated target for IBD. [Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

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Scientific Writer – Cardiovascular Regeneration (Houston Methodist Research Institute)

Research Fellow – Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine (National Cancer Centre Singapore)

Biomedical Engineer – Cell Therapies & Regenerative Medicine (FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research)

PhD Position – Drug Releasing, Nanostructured Biomaterials for Adult Stem Cells (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (INSERM)

Postdoctoral Position – Proteoglycan and Dislocations (INSERM)

PhD Position – Tumor Biology (University of Duisburg-Essen)

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