Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.19 | May 19 2016

Endothelial Monolayers on Collagen-Coated Nanofibrous Membranes: Cell–Cell and Cell–ECM Interactions
Scientists described polycaprolactone nanofibrous membranes coated with collagen gel that overcome many limitations of conventional nanofibers used for engineering endothelia. They investigated cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) junctional complexes using collagen-coated and conventional nanofibrous membranes. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Regulation of Cellular Behaviors of Fibroblasts Related to Wound Healing by Sol-Gel Derived Bioactive Glass Particles
Results on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) related genes illustrated that 90S bioactive glass particles modulated the synthesis capacity for critical ECM molecules including type I collagen, type III collagen, fibronectin and tenascin-C. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Transient Expression of the Diseased Phenotype of Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes in Engineered Cartilage
Chondrocytes isolated from either post-traumatic osteoarthritis or normal cartilage of canine knee joints were used to form micropellets to assess the maintenance of the osteoarthritic chondrocyte phenotype in vitro. [J Orthop Res] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix-Based Cryogels for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Researchers investigated various highly porous extracellular matrix-based cryogels for cartilage tissue engineering. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

In Vivo Evaluation of Hybrid Patches Composed of PLA Based Copolymers and Collagen/Chondroitin Sulfate for Ligament Tissue Regeneration
The authors aimed to develop new hybrid patches for ligament tissue regeneration by synergistic incorporation of a knitted structure of degradable polymer fibers to provide mechanical strength and a biomimetic matrix to help injured tissues regeneration. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Fabrication and Development of Artificial Osteochondral Constructs Based on Cancellous Bone/Hydrogel Hybrid Scaffold
Porcine cancellous bones and chitosan/gelatin hydrogel scaffolds were used as substitutes to mimic bone and cartilage, respectively. The porosity and distribution of pore size in porcine bone was measured and the degradation ratio and swelling ratio for chitosan/gelatin hydrogel scaffolds was also determined in vitro. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

Is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation of Living Tissue-Engineered Valves Feasible? An In Vitro Evaluation Utilizing a Decellularized and Reseeded Biohybrid Valve
The influence of transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure on tissue-engineered biohybrid aortic valve (BAV) was investigated. BAV were designed with decellularized homograft cusps and polyurethane walls. They were seeded with fibroblasts and endothelial cells isolated from saphenous veins. [Artif Organs] Abstract

The Role of Integrins in Glaucoma
The authors discuss the role of integrins and bidirectional signaling as they relate to the glaucomatous phenotype with special emphasis on the αvβ3 integrin. They present evidence that this particular integrin may have a significant impact on the pathogenesis of glaucoma. [Exp Eye Res] Abstract

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Biostage Successfully Regenerates Esophagus in Groundbreaking Pre-Clinical Work with Mayo Clinic; Data Provides ‘Proof of Concept’ to Seek FDA Approval for Clinical Trials
Biostage, Inc. announced significant, pre-clinical data, including the complete regeneration of a segment of the esophagus, from its collaborative large-animal study of its Cellspan™ organ implants with Mayo Clinic. [Biostage, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Remodeling (Scripps Research Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Biomechanics (Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genome Editing for Striated Muscle Regeneration (Duke University)

MSc Position – Extracellular Matrix Genes during Aging (ETH Zurich)

PhD Position – Extracellular Matrix Genes during Aging (ETH Zurich)

Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular Matrix Genes during Aging (ETH Zurich)

Postdoctoral Position – Motor Plasticity and Repair (Burke Medical Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology/Immunology (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cervical Extracellular Matrix (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering (Northwestern University)

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

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