Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.31 | Aug 13 2015

E-Cadherin-Defective Gastric Cancer Cells Depend on Laminin to Survive and Invade
Investigators hypothesized that deregulation of cell-matrix interactions could play an important role during the invasive process associated to epithelial-cadherin (Ecad) dysfunction. Thus, they focused on LM-332, which is a major matrix component, and on Ecad/LM-332 crosstalk in the process of Ecad-dependent invasion. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract

Semaphorin 3D Autocrine Signaling Mediates the Metastatic Role of Annexin A2 in Pancreatic Cancer
Scientists found that annexin A2 increased the release of semaphorin 3D from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells and promoted migratory behavior in cultured PDA cells. [Sci Signal]
Abstract | Press Release

Decellularized Human Liver as a Natural 3D-Scaffold for Liver Bioengineering and Transplantation
Investigators demonstrated complete decellularization of whole human liver and lobes to form an extracellular matrix scaffold with a preserved architecture. Decellularized human liver cubic scaffolds were repopulated for up to 21 days using human cell lines hepatic stellate cells, hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma, with excellent viability, motility and proliferation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Validated Prediction of Pro-Invasive Growth Factors Using a Transcriptome-Wide Invasion Signature Derived from a Complex 3D Invasion Assay
Invading fibroblasts contribute to fibrotic extracellular matrix formation and the initiation, progression, or resistance of cancer. To construct transcriptome-wide signatures of fibroblast invasion, researchers used a multiplex phenotypic 3D invasion assay using lung fibroblasts. [Sci Rep] Full Article

CD44 Influences Fibroblast Behaviors via Modulation of Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions, Affecting Survivin and Hippo Pathways
The authors report findings on the roles of CD44 in modulating proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of murine wild-type and CD44 knockout dermal fibroblasts (CD44KO-FB). As documented in microvascular endothelial cells lacking CD44, they found persistent increased proliferation, reduced activation of cleaved caspase 3, increased initial attachment, but decreased strength of cell attachment in high cell density, post confluent CD44KO-FB cultures. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Combination of Agrin and Laminin Increase Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering and Enhance Functional Neuromuscular Junction Formation In Vitro
Researchers investigated the effect of agrin and laminin-1, agents with known acetylcholine receptors clustering activity, on neuromuscular junctions formation and muscle maturation. Primary myoblasts were differentiated in vitro on collagen, laminin or collagen and laminin-coated surfaces in the presence or absence of agrin and laminin. [Dev Neurobiol] Abstract

Optimizing Contraction and Alignment of Cellular Collagen Hydrogels to Achieve Reliable and Consistent Engineered Anisotropic Tissue
Scientists developed an assay system based on contraction of free-floating cellular gels in 96-well plates that could be used to investigate cell–matrix interactions and established optimal parameters for subsequent self-alignment of cells in tethered gels. [J Biomater Appl] Abstract

Activin-A Signaling Promotes Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition, Invasion, and Metastatic Growth of Breast Cancer
Scientists report that activin-A signaling is hyperactivated in breast cancers as indicated by higher activin-A, phosphoSMAD2, and phosphoSMAD3 levels in advanced breast cancers. Activin-A promotes anchorage-independent growth, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, invasion, angiogenesis, and stemness of breast cancer cells. [npj Breast Cancer] Full Article

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SAGE to Launch Scars, Burns & Healing in Partnership with the Katie Piper Foundation
SAGE announced a new partnership with The Katie Piper Foundation to launch the unique journal Scars, Burns & Healing. The journal brings together the specialist focus of scar and burns research with the breadth of the science and medicine related to wound healing, and will be accepting its first submissions from summer 2015. [SAGE Publications (EurekAlert!)] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration (University of Connecticut Health Center)

Assistant Professor – Cell Biology or Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms (Washington University School of Medicine)

PhD Position – Materials Engineering (IFP Energies Nouvelles)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Ex Vivo Tumor Organoid Models (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Assistant Professor – Cell-Based Therapies (Utrecht University)

Faculty Positions – Biomedical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering (University of California, Davis)

Scientific Writer – Cardiovascular Regeneration (Houston Methodist Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (INSERM)

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