Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.33 | Aug 27 2015

Matrix Assisted Transplantation of Functional Beige Adipose Tissue
Scientists present a novel cell scaffold technology optimized to establish functional brown fat-like depots in vivo. They adapted the biophysical properties of hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels to support the differentiation of white fat derived multipotent stem cells into lipid accumulating, uncoupling protein 1 expressing beige adipose tissue. [Diabetes] Abstract | Press Release

Ultraporous Nanofeatured PCL–PEO Microfibrous Scaffolds Enhance Cell Infiltration, Colonization and Myofibroblastic Differentiation
Investigators fabricated hydrophilic, micro-porous scaffolds with nano-topographical cues by one-step electrospinning, and investigated NIH3T3 fibroblasts cell infiltration, colonization and myofibroblastic differentiation. [Nanoscale] Abstract

Incorporation of Fibrin into a Collagen-Glycosaminoglycan Matrix Results in a Scaffold with Improved Mechanical Properties and Enhanced Capacity to Resist Cell-Mediated Contraction
Through the use of an injection loading technique, a homogenous fibrin, collagen and glycosaminoglycan (FCG) scaffold was developed. Human vascular smooth muscle cells were successfully incorporated into the FCG scaffold and demonstrated excellent viability over seven days, while proliferation of these cells also increased significantly. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Engineered Composite Fascia for Stem Cell Therapy in Tissue Repair Applications
Investigators describe a composite, laser micromachined, collagen-alginate construct containing human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for tissue repair applications. As compared to acellular constructs, constructs containing hMSCs displayed greater integration strength, increased vascularization, and increased infiltration of macrophages. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

HCRP-1 Regulates Cell Migration and Invasion via EGFR-ERK Mediated Up-Regulation of MMP-2 with Prognostic Significance in Human Renal Cell Carcinoma
Knockdown of hepatocellular carcinoma-related protein-1 (HCRP-1) promoted cell migration and invasion in 786-O and OS-RC-2 cell lines. HCRP-1 depletion increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 protein level, with increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, which could be reversed by ERK siRNA or ERK inhibitor, PD98059. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A 3-Dimensional Fiber Scaffold as an Investigative Tool for Studying the Morphogenesis of Isolated Plant Pells
Researchers have developed a method of three-dimensional cell culture for plants, which mimics the plant tissue environment, using biocompatible scaffolds similar to those used in mammalian tissue engineering. The scaffolds provide both developmental cues and structural stability to isolated callus-derived cells grown in liquid culture. [BMC Plant Biol] Full Article | Press Release

Involvement of ZEB1 and Snail1 in Excessive Production of Extracellular Matrix in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Scientists established a cellular in vitro model by using immortalized corneal endothelial cells obtained from late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and control patients and examined the involvement of epithelial mesenchymal transition on excessive extracellular matrix production. [Lab Invest] Abstract

MicroRNA-148a Inhibits Migration of Breast Cancer Cells by Targeting MMP-13
Researchers investigated the role of microRNA (miR)-148a in migration of breast cancer cells as well as the underlying mechanism. miR-148a was found to inhibit the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Expanding the Activity of Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 against Surface-Anchored Metalloproteinases by the Replacement of Its C-Terminal Domain: Implications for Anti-Cancer Effects
Scientists replaced the C-terminal domain of TIMP-1 with those of TIMP-2, -3 and -4 to create a series of “T1:TX” chimeras. The affinity of the chimeras against ADAM10, ADAM17, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)14 and MMP19 was investigated. [PLoS One] Full Article

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3D Vision for the Next Generation of Biomaterials
The University of Nottingham is to lead a £6.5 million research project which aims to make the leap from 2D to 3D in the development of advanced materials and realize the true potential of regenerative medicine and medical devices for the future. [The University of Nottingham] Press Release

Symic Biomedical Awarded $1.5 Million NIH Phase II SBIR Grant to Develop Its Proteoglycan Mimetic Therapeutics to Reduce Vascular Access Failures in ESRD
The two-year project, funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, will allow Symic to perform additional preclinical efficacy studies and advance lead candidate SBCV-030 towards clinical development. SBCV-030 represents a new class of therapeutics intended to target the extracellular matrix. [Symic Biomedical, Inc.] Press Release

NSF Grant Supports Development of Nanoparticle Porous Membranes
The University of Arkansas has received a $411,948 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the creation of useful materials and membranes from blends of multiple polymers and dispersed, inorganic nanoparticles. The research could lead to the development of new materials for a variety of applications, including filtration membranes, fuel cells, batteries and biomedical scaffolds for tissue engineering. [University of Arkansas] Press Release

NIH Awards Nearly $34 Million to UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Clinical and Translational Science $33.59 million over four years to continue the center’s programs advancing translational research. [University of Alabama at Birmingham] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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Cell Biology Lab Manager (Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Embryonic Stem Cells, Bio-NEMS, Tissue Engineering (University of South Carolina)

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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