Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.44 | Nov 12 2015

Harnessing Cellular-Derived Forces in Self-Assembled Microtissues to Control the Synthesis and Alignment of ECM
Investigators developed a new method to control extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis using self-assembled cells. Cells were seeded into custom designed, scaffold-free, micro-molds with fixed obstacles that harnessed and directed cell-mediated stresses. [Biomaterials] Abstract | Press Release

Astrocytes Spatially Restrict VEGF Signaling by Polarized Secretion and Incorporation of VEGF into the Actively Assembling Extracellular Matrix
Using a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-GFP fusion protein and confocal time-lapse microscopy, investigators observed the intracellular routing, secretion and immobilization of VEGF in scratch-activated living astrocytes. They found VEGF to be directly transported to cell-extracellular matrix attachments where it is incorporated into fibronectin fibrils. [Glia] Abstract

Impaired Primary Mouse Myotube Formation on Crosslinked Type I Collagen Films Is Enhanced by Laminin and Entactin
Scientists investigated the differentiation capacity of primary murine myoblasts on type I collagen films either untreated or modified with elastin, laminin, type IV collagen, laminin/entactin complex, combinations thereof, and Matrigel as a positive control. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Human Corneal Stromal Stem Cells Support Limbal Epithelial Cells Cultured on RAFT Tissue Equivalents
Researchers re-created the cell-cell juxtaposition of the native environment in vitro, to provide a tool for investigation of epithelial-stromal cell interactions and to optimize human limbal epithelial cells culture conditions for potential therapeutic application. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Muscle Tissue Engineering and Regeneration through Epigenetic Reprogramming and Scaffold Manipulation
Scientists investigated the combined effects of matrices of variable rigidities and the treatment with the epigenetic modulator 5-azacytidine on reprogramming adipose-derived stromal cells into myoblast-like cells by utilizing tunable transglutaminase cross-linked gelatin in vitro and in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Histone Methylation Levels Correlate with TGFBIp and Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression in Normal and Granular Corneal Dystrophy Type 2 Corneal Fibroblasts
Scientists examined the role of chromatin markers such as histone H3 lysine methylation in transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFBIp) and extracellular matrix gene expression in normal and granular corneal dystrophy type 2-derived human corneal fibroblasts. [BMC Med Genomics] Full Article

Comparative Profiling of Extractable Proteins in Extracellular Matrices of Porcine Cholecyst and Jejunum Intended for Preparation of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Researchers identified the extractable proteins of extracellular matrices derived from porcine cholecyst and jejunum. Both the matrices contained several extracellular proteins including fibronectin, nidogen, decorin, and lumican that are known to participate in wound healing responses. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Investigation of the Changes of Biophysical/Mechanical Characteristics of Differentiating Preosteoblasts In Vitro
Researchers investigated biochemical (gene markers), biophysical (roughness), and biomechanical (stiffness) changes during the osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts on gelatin matrices. [Biomater Res] Full Article

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HART Reports Significant Confirmatory Results for Its 2^nd Generation Bioengineered Esophagus, Trachea and Bronchus Implants
Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, Inc. (HART) announced significant results – including clear evidence of complete esophageal tissue regeneration – from recently conducted animal research on HART’s 2^nd generation bioengineered implant platform. [Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Anika Therapeutics Announces Health Canada Approval of CINGAL^® for the Treatment of Pain Associated with Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Anika Therapeutics, Inc. announced Health Canada approval of CINGAL^® as a medical device to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. CINGAL is the first and only approved combination viscosupplement formulated with the company’s proprietary cross-linked sodium hyaluronate and triamcinolone hexacetonide, an FDA-approved steroid to treat inflammation. [Anika Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

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Professor – Biomedical Science (The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences)

Postdoctoral Position – Scaffold Design & Drug/Gene Delivery for Neural Tissue Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Engineering Research (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Position – hPSC-Derived Cardiomyocyte Grafts in Injured Hearts (University Health Network)

Faculty Position – Neuromuscular Bioengineering (Northwestern University)

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

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