Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.01 | Jan 14 2016

Topographic Confinement of Epithelial Clusters Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Compliant Matrices
Investigators adapted a hydrogel-microchannels based matrix platform to culture mammary epithelial cell clusters in extracellular matrices (ECMs) of tunable stiffness and confinement. They report a previously unidentified role of ECM confinement in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition induction. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The MicroRNA-200/Zeb1 Axis Regulates ECM-Dependent β1-Integrin/FAK Signaling, Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis through CRKL
Scientists utilized both a Kras/p53 mutant mouse model and human lung cancer cell lines to demonstrate that upon miR-200 loss integrin β1-collagen I interactions drive 3D in vitro migration/invasion and in vivo metastases. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cell Adhesion on Amyloid Fibrils Lacking Integrin Recognition Motif
Researchers showed that, similar to the extracellular matrix protein collagen, amyloids of various proteins/peptides support attachment and spreading of cells via robust stimulation of integrin expression and formation of integrin-based focal adhesions. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Increase Angiogenesis through Matrix Metalloproteinase-Dependent Collagen Remodeling
Scientists tested the functional contribution of adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling on endothelial cell invasion. To isolate the effect of ECM-remodeling, ASCs were embedded within 3-D collagen type I hydrogels and pre-cultured for seven days; controls were not pre-cultured. [Integr Biol] Abstract

Versican: A Novel Modulator of Hepatic Fibrosis
Expression of versican, A Disintegrin-like and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin-1 motifs (ADAMTS)-1, -4, -5, -8, -9, -15, and -20, and markers of fibrogenesis were studied using immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR, and western blotting. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Cell-Secreted Extracellular Matrix Formation and Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in 3D Alginate Scaffolds with Tunable Properties
Three dimensional (3D) alginate scaffolds with tunable mechanical and structural properties were explored for investigating the effect of the scaffold properties on stem cell behavior and extracellular matrix formation. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Transcriptomic Changes in Osteoblasts following Endothelial Cell-Cocultivation Suggest a Role of Extracellular Matrix in Cellular Interaction
Previously, investigators showed that cocultivated human osteoblasts (hOBs) strongly increase the expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) formation in human primary umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), suggesting that ECM may be involved in the intercellular communication between hOBs and HUVECs. Here, they investigated whether comparable changes occur in hOBs. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Stem Cells in Aggregate Form to Enhance Chondrogenesis in Hydrogels
Researchers considered two different stem cell sources, human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly cells and rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. They compared the influence of cell phenotype, aggregate size, and aggregate number on chondrogenic differentiation in a generic hydrogel (agarose) platform. [PLoS One] Full Article

Extracellular Protease Inhibition Alters the Phenotype of Chondrogenically Differentiating Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in 3D Collagen Microspheres
Using a previously developed collagen microencapsulation platform, scientists investigated whether exposing chondrogenically differentiating MSCs to intracellular and extracellular protease inhibitors would affect the extracellular matrix remodeling and hence the outcomes of chondrogenesis. [PLoS One] Full Article

Graphene and Its Nanostructure Derivatives for Use in Bone Tissue Engineering: Recent Advances
Investigators give a general description of studies of nanostructured graphene derivatives for bone tissue engineering. They highlight how graphene family nanomaterials are being exploited for bone tissue engineering. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

The Benefits and Limitations of Animal Models for Translational Research in Cartilage Repair
The authors examine the in vivo models in current use for cartilage defect repair testing and the relevance of each in the context of generated results and applicability to bringing the device to clinical practice. They also examine the strengths and weaknesses of the various animal models currently in use in preclinical studies of cartilage repair. [J Exp Orthop] Full Article

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ReNeuron Wins Major UK Grant to Advance Its Exosome Nanomedicine Platform
ReNeuron Group plc announced that it has been awarded a £2.1 million grant from Innovate UK to further advance its emerging exosome nanomedicine platform. The grant, entitled “Stem cell-derived exosomes for regenerative medicine”, has been awarded under Innovate UK’s Developing Regenerative Medicine & Cell Therapies’ grant scheme. [ReNeuron Group plc] Press Release

$2.2 Million Federal Grant Funds Study of Diabetes Drug in Wound Healing
Timothy Koh, professor of kinesiology and nutrition, will use a four-year, $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for a translational study of the diabetes drug glyburide for wound healing in humans, beginning this summer. [University of Illinois] Press Release

Of Muscles and Men: Synthetic Skeletal Muscle
Researchers are coming closer to engineering functional skeletal muscle. In a dish, stem cells within engineered muscle were able to regenerate the tissue following injury and recover their forceful contractions. [Duke University] Press Release | Video

U of T Startup Uses Anti-Inflammatory Coating to Ensure Your Body Won’t Reject Medical Implants
University of Toronto researcher Kyle Battiston plans to roll out a new anti-inflammatory product through a new startup company, KSP2. Battiston originally designed the anti-inflammatory polymer as a tissue engineering scaffold. [University of Toronto] Press Release

Regeneus’ Progenza Stem Cell Therapy Clears Initial Safety Review
Regeneus’ off-the-shelf allogeneic stem cell treatment for knee osteoarthritis, Progenza, has enhanced its potential for commercialization for the company after an encouraging review of safety data from an oversight committee in early trialing. The regenerative medicine technology received no safety concerns after trialing with its first cohort of ten patients in the trial. [Regeneus Ltd.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Wound Healing and Cell Migration (University of California, Davis)

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Faculty Positions – Systems Biomedicine (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Interactions between Innate Immunity and Extracellular Matrix in Joint Diseases (Lund University)

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)

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