Nanoscale Patterning of Extracellular Matrix Alters Endothelial Function under Shear Stress Since shear stress acts on endothelial cells (ECs) by applying a mechanical force concomitant with inducing spatial patterning of the cells, researchers sought to decouple the effects of shear stress using parallel-aligned nanofibrillar collagen films that induce parallel EC alignment prior to stimulation with disturbed flow resulting from spatial wall shear stress gradients. [Nano Lett] Abstract | Graphical Abstract A Negative Regulatory Mechanism Involving 14-3-3ζ Limits Signaling Downstream of ROCK to Regulate Tissue Stiffness in Epidermal Homeostasis Investigators identified a negative feedback mechanism that limits excessive ROCK signaling during wound healing and is lost in squamous cell carcinomas. In 14-3-3ζ−/− mice, unrestrained ROCK signaling at wound margins elevated ECM production and reduced ECM remodeling, increasing dermal stiffness and causing rapid wound healing. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release Activation of Integrin α5 Mediated by Flow Requires Its Translocation to Membrane Lipid Rafts in Vascular Endothelial Cells Scientists investigated the role of lipid rafts and integrin α5 in regulating the inflammatory response in endothelial cells under atheroprone versus atheroprotective flow. Among 396 proteins redistributed in lipid rafts, integrin α5 was the most significantly elevated in lipid rafts under oscillatory shear stress. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract ECM Signaling Regulates Collective Cellular Dynamics to Control Pancreas Branching Morphogenesis Researchers employed time-lapse microscopy and fluorescent labeling of cells to analyze cell behaviors associated with pancreas morphogenesis. They showed that integrin signaling reduces E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion in outer cells and provide genetic evidence that this regulation is necessary for initiation of branching. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Multi-Layered Collagen-Based Scaffolds for Osteochondral Defect Repair in Rabbits Scientists assessed the in vivo response to a multi-layer collagen-based osteochondral defect repair scaffold and determined its ability to direct regenerative responses in each layer in order to repair osteochondral tissue in a critical-sized defect in a rabbit knee. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Potency of Umbilical Cord Blood- and Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Scarless Wound Healing Based on the properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tissue repair and immunomodulation, researchers investigated the potential of MSCs for scarless wound healing. [Sci Rep] Full Article Constructive Remodeling of a Synthetic Endothelial Extracellular Matrix The authors present an approach for forming a synthetic endothelial extracellular matrix that closely resembles that of the native structure by locally depositing basement membrane materials onto type 1 collagen nanofibers only in a region adjacent to the endothelial cell monolayer. [Sci Rep] Full Article Injectable Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels as Scaffolds for Spinal Cord Injury Repair Researchers evaluated the presumed neuroregenerative properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels in vivo in the acute model of spinal cord injury. ECM hydrogels were prepared by decellularization of porcine spinal cord or porcine urinary bladder, and injected into a spinal cord hemisection cavity. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Collagen Type I Improves the Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells towards Definitive Endoderm Almost 500 different extracellular matrix protein combinations were screened to systemically identify extracellular matrix proteins that influence differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to the definitive endoderm lineage. The percentage of definitive endoderm cells after differentiation on collagen I and fibronectin was >85% and 65%, respectively. [PLoS One] Full Article |