Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.12 | Mar 31 2016

Suppression of the SWI/SNF Component Arid1a Promotes Mammalian Regeneration
Scientists showed that deleting the SWI/SNF component Arid1a substantially improves mammalian regeneration. Arid1a expression is suppressed in regenerating tissues, and genetic deletion of Arid1a increases tissue repair following an array of injuries. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Matricellular Protein CCN5 Reverses Established Cardiac Fibrosis
Investigators examined the role of CCN5 in human heart failure and tested whether CCN5 can reverse established cardiac fibrosis in an experimental model of heart failure induced by pressure overload. [J Am Coll Cardiol] Full Article | Press Release | Podcast

Deflection Induced Cellular Focal Adhesion and Anisotropic Growth on Vertically Aligned Silicon Nanowires with Differing Elasticity
Researchers investigated the adhesion and growth of human embryonic kidney 293T cells on vertically aligned silicon nanowires. Varying the diameter of nanowires affected their elasticity, which in turn caused variations in cell morphology and adhesion. [NPG Asia Mater] Full Article

Experimental Inhibition of Porcupine-Mediated Wnt O-Acylation Attenuates Kidney Fibrosis
Scientists found that inhibiting porcupine dramatically attenuates kidney fibrosis in the murine unilateral ureteral obstruction model. Wnt-C59 treatment similarly blunts collagen mRNA expression in the obstructed kidney. [Kidney Int] Abstract | Press Release

Combinatorial Microenvironmental Regulation of Liver Progenitor Differentiation by Notch Ligands, TGFβ, and Extracellular Matrix
Utilizing a series of strategies, including co-cultures and cellular microarrays, researchers identified distinct contributions of different Notch ligands and extracellular matrix proteins in the fate decisions of bipotential mouse embryonic liver progenitor cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Receptor Activator of NF-κB Ligand Induces Cell Adhesion and Integrin α2 Expression via NF-κB in Head and Neck Cancers
The authors report a novel role for receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) in the regulation of cell adhesion. Among the major type I collagen receptors, integrin α2 was significantly upregulated in RANKL-expressing cells, and its knockdown suppressed cell adhesion. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Retinal Organoids from Pluripotent Stem Cells Efficiently Recapitulate Retinogenesis
Investigators have developed a protocol for the efficient generation of large, 3D-stratified retinal organoids that does not require evagination of optic-vesicle-like structures, which so far limited the organoid yield. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

A Human Amnion-Derived Extracellular Matrix-Coated Cell-Free Scaffold for Cartilage Repair: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
Researchers developed a novel human amniotic mesenchymal cell-derived extracellular matrix-coated polylactic-co-glycolic acid scaffold, examined its property on mesenchymal cells, and investigated its potential as a cell-free scaffold for cartilage repair. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

RAGE and TGF-β1 Cross-Talk Regulate Extracellular Matrix Turnover and Cytokine Synthesis in AGEs Exposed Fibroblast Cells
Scientists investigated the contribution of receptor of AGEs (RAGE) and TGF-β1 to the modulation of inflammatory response and extracellular matrix turnover in AGEs milieu, using a normal fibroblast cell line. [PLoS One] Full Article

Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Glycosaminoglycan-Mimetic Peptide Nanofibers
Mesenchymal stem cells cultured on glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-mimetic peptide nanofibers formed cartilage-like nodules and deposited cartilage-specific matrix components by day seven, suggesting that the GAG-mimetic peptide nanofibers effectively facilitated their commitment into the chondrogenic lineage. [ACS Biomater Sci Eng] Abstract

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Three ERC-Grants for Research Groups at the Vienna Biocenter
Jan-Michael Peters and Tim Clausen of the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology and Jürgen Knoblich of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology each received an Advanced Grant by the European Research Council (ERC). [European Research Council] Press Release

Griffith Uses 3D Tissue Engineering to Revolutionize Dental Disease
The discomfort and stigma of loose or missing teeth could be a thing of the past as Griffith University researchers pioneer the use of 3D bioprinting to replace missing teeth and bone. The three-year study, which has been granted a National Health and Medical Research Council Grant of $650,000, is being undertaken by periodontist Professor Saso Ivanovski from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland. [Griffith University] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Non-Viral Gene Delivery & Scaffold Design (Nanyang Technological University)

PhD Student – Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Zebrafish Fin Regeneration (TU Dresden)

Professor – Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cell Biology and Regenerative Therapies in Cardiovascular Diseases (Universitätsmedizin Göttingen)

Faculty Position – Bioengineering (Caltech)

Postdoctoral Positions – Human Stem Cells and Heart Regenerative Medicine (University of Pittsburgh)

PhD Positions – Cancer, Microbiology and Stem Cell Engineering (Virginia Commonwealth University)

PhD Positions – Tendon Repair and Regeneration (NUI Galway)

Postdoctoral Position – Neurology, Pediatrics, and Genetics (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Research Fellow – Biomedical Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

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