Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.48 | Dec 10 2015

Persistent Cell Migration and Adhesion Rely on Retrograde Transport of β₁ Integrin
Researchers demonstrated that β₁ integrin, but not β₃, is transported from the plasma membrane to the trans-Golgi network, to be resecreted in a polarized manner. Retrograde trafficking inhibition abrogates several β₁-integrin-specific functions such as cell adhesion in early embryonic development of mice, and persistent cell migration in the developing posterior gonad arm of Caenorhabditis elegans. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

BRD4 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Liver Fibrosis
The authors report that JQ1, a small molecule inhibitor of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a member of bromodomain and extraterminal proteins, abrogate cytokine-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells. Cistromic analyses reveal that BRD4 is highly enriched at enhancers associated with genes involved in multiple profibrotic pathways, where BRD4 is colocalized with profibrotic transcription factors. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

The Human Pancreas as a Source of Protolerogenic Extracellular Matrix Scaffold for a New-Generation Bioartificial Endocrine Pancreas
Researchers showed that acellular extracellular matrix scaffolds from the human pancreas can be successfully and consistently produced from human pancreata and maintain their innate molecular and spatial framework and stiffness, and vital growth factors. [Ann Surg] Abstract | Press Release

Fabrication of Keratin/Fibroin Membranes by Electrospinning for Vascular Tissue Engineering
A fibroin and keratin porous membrane was prepared by electro-spinning and proposed for tissue-engineered vascular grafts. The attached HUVECs on the developed membranes showed no cytotoxicity. [J Mater Chem B] Abstract

Investigating the Potential of Human Placental Derived Extracellular Matrix Sponges Coupled with Amniotic Membrane-Derived Stem Cells for Osteochondral Tissue Engineering
Scientists fabricated a human placental derived extracellular matrix sponges (PEMS) for repair of osteochondral tissue through decellularization process. In vitro, PEMS provided a non-cytotoxic and bioactive cues rich environment for the human amniotic membrane derived stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into chondrogenic and osteogenic lineage under induction. [J Mater Chem B] Abstract

Natural Scaffolds for Renal Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Kidney Tissue Engineering
To further explore the use of decellularized natural kidney scaffolds for renal tissue engineering, pluripotent human embryonic stem cell (hESC) were seeded in whole- or on sections of kidney extracellular matrix and cell migration and phenotype compared with the established differentiation assays for hESC. [PLoS One] Full Article

Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Decellularized Fibrocartilage “Book” Scaffold for Use in Tissue Engineering
The development of a novel book-shape scaffold derived from the extracellular matrix of fibrocartilage was reported. Histology and DNA quantification analysis confirmed substantial removal of cells from the fibrocartilage scaffolds. [PLoS One] Full Article

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Iowa State, Ames Laboratory Engineer Developing Materials for Tissue Engineering, Vaccines
Surya Mallapragada believes in the power and potential of bio- and bio-inspired materials to improve human health. She’s been researching the materials and how they can solve biomedical problems for nearly two decades. And there are good reasons for sticking with the studies. [Iowa State University] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Statistical Analysis of Cell Migration (Karolinska Institutet)

PhD Position – Cancer Research and Wound Healing (Technion, Israel Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Mechanobiology (Washington University in St. Louis)

Research Associate – Cell Biology/Biophysics (University College London)

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

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