Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.40 | Oct 15 2015

Identification of AMPK Phosphorylation Sites Reveals a Network of Proteins Involved in Cell Invasion and Facilitates Large-Scale Substrate Prediction
To better understand the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) network, investigators used a chemical genetics screen coupled to a peptide capture approach in whole cells, resulting in identification of direct AMPK phosphorylation sites. Interestingly, the high-confidence AMPK substrates contained many proteins involved in cell motility, adhesion, and invasion. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Src Inhibition Blocks Renal Interstitial Fibroblast Activation and Ameliorates Renal Fibrosis
Cultured renal interstitial fibroblasts were treated with PP1, a selective inhibitor of Src. This resulted in decreased expression of α-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, and collagen I in response to serum, angiotensin II, or transforming growth factor-β1. [Kidney Int] Abstract

Cell-Secreted Matrices Perpetuate the Bone-Forming Phenotype of Differentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Investigators showed that seeding osteogenically induced mesenchymal stem/stromal cells on decellularized extracellular matrices yields up to two-fold more calcium deposition than tissue culture plastic, and this improvement was at least partially mediated by increasing actin cytoskeletal tension via the ROCK II pathway. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Safety and Efficacy of Composite Collagen-Silver Nanoparticle Hydrogels as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Scientists report on the safety and efficacy of the incorporation of collagen coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into collagen hydrogels for tissue engineering. The resulting hybrid materials retained the mechanical properties and biocompatibility for primary human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes of collagen hydrogels. [Nanoscale] Abstract

Development of Potent and Selective Tissue Transglutaminase Inhibitors: Their Effect on TG2 Function and Application in Pathological Conditions
Reaction of transglutaminase (TG2) with a fluorescent inhibitor in NIH3T3 cells resulted in loss of binding of TG2 to cell surface syndecan-4 and inhibition of translocation of the enzyme into the extracellular matrix, with a parallel reduction in fibronectin deposition. [Chem Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Scaffold-Free, Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels
Hypothesizing that a scaffold-free tissue-engineered blood vessel (TEBV) may be advantageous, investigators constructed a tubular structure from aligned human mesenchymal cell sheets (hMSC) as the wall and human endothelial progenitor cell coating as the lumen. The interwoven organization of the cell layers and extensive extracellular matrix formation of the hMSC-based TEBV resembled that of native blood vessels. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Combinatorial Approach towards the Design of Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Chondrogenesis
Scientists built a library of hybrid collagen-polymer fibrous scaffolds with nanoscale dimensions and screened them for their ability to grow chondrocytes for cartilage repair. Physical properties of the scaffolds were characterized and related to biological performance and structure-function relationships were developed. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Bio-Fabrication and Physiological Self-Release of Tissue Equivalents Using Smart Peptide Amphiphile Templates
Investigators applied a smart biomaterial formed from a self-assembling, multi-functional synthetic peptide amphiphile (PA) to coat substrates with various surface chemistries. The combination of PA coating and alignment-inducing functionalized substrates provided a template to instruct human corneal stromal fibroblasts to adhere, become aligned and then bio-fabricate a highly-ordered, multi-layered, three-dimensional tissue by depositing an aligned, native-like extracellular matrix. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the Immunology of Infectious Disease research field.

Cancer Research UK Launches £100 Million Grand Challenges to Tackle the Most Important Questions in Cancer
Cancer Research UK has launched Grand Challenges – the biggest and most ambitious cancer grants in the world – which aim to overcome the greatest barriers standing in the way of beating cancer. The £100 million investment will revolutionize how researchers diagnose, prevent and treat cancer by uniting teams of the best scientists around the world to come up with answers to crucial questions about how to save more lives from cancer. [Cancer Research UK] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Structural Studies of Bacterial Protein Secretion (University of Brussels)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Position – Biomaterials for Cell Reprogramming (Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering)

Director – Oncology Research (Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research)

Director – Clinical Development (Novadip Biosciences)

Postdoctoral Position – Mechanisms of Leukocyte Extravasation (University Hospital of Münster)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell Biology (University of South Carolina)

Junior Faculty Position – Bioengineering (Stanford University)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell Biology (Stanford University)

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

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