Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.20 | May 26 2016

Platelets Contribute to Amyloid-β Aggregation in Cerebral Vessels through Integrin α_IIbβ₃–Induced Outside-in Signaling and Clusterin Release
Investigators found that synthetic monomeric Aβ40 bound through its RHDS sequence to integrin α_IIbβ₃, which is the receptor for the extracellular matrix protein fibrinogen, and stimulated the secretion of adenosine diphosphate and the chaperone protein clusterin from platelets. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Decellularization of Human Stromal Refractive Lenticules for Corneal Tissue Engineering
In vitro recellularization showed that sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)-treated lenticules supported corneal stromal fibroblast growth. In vivo re-implantation into a rabbit stromal pocket further revealed the safety and biocompatibility of SDS-decellularized lenticules without short- and long-term rejection risk. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Compression Loading-Induced Stress Responses in Intervertebral Disc Cells Encapsulated in 3D Collagen Constructs
By using an in vitro collagen microencapsulation model, the authors investigated the effect of compression loading on the stress response of nucleus pulposus cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Effects of Composition and Mechanical Property of Injectable Collagen I/II Composite Hydrogels on Chondrocytes Behaviors
Type I collagen and type II collagen were selected to prepare physically crosslinked composite hydrogels by self-assembly of collagen, and the effects of their physicochemical properties on chondrocytes phenotype maintenance and extracellular matrix secretion were investigated. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Engineered Cardiac Micromodules for the In Vitro Fabrication of 3D Endogenous Macro-Tissues
Researchers engineered a new class of cardiac tissue precursor, specifically conceived in order to promote the synthesis and the assembly of a cardiac extracellular matrix. [Biofabrication] Abstract

The α11 Integrin Mediates Fibroblast- Extracellular Matrix- Cardiomyocyte Interactions in Health and Disease
Deletion of the α11β1 (α11) integrin attenuates cardiac fibrosis in the mammalian mouse heart and reduces extracellular matrix formation as a result of diabetes. Furthermore, α11 integrin deletion impairs cardiac function and alters cardiomyocyte morphology. [Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol] Abstract

Differential Expression of Extracellular Matrix and Adhesion Molecules in Fetal-Origin Amniotic Epithelial Cells of Preeclamptic Pregnancy
Researchers selected a total of 12 pathways and focused on extracellular matrix-related and biological adhesion molecules. Using RT-PCR array and real-time PCR, they confirmed that COL16A1, ITGB2, and LAMA3 were significantly up-regulated, but ITGA1, ITGA3, ITGA6, MMP1, MMP3, MMP10 and MMP11 were significantly down-regulated in preeclamptic fetal origin cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Membrane Tethered Matrix Metalloproteinase MT1-MMP at the Forefront of Melanoma Cell Invasion and Metastasis
The authors focus on the role of the membrane bound MT1-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in melanoma growth, invasion and metastasis. MT1-MMP has in fact emerged as a multifaceted protease capable of influencing melanoma metastasis by canonical means, i.e. extracellular matrix degradation, but also via regulation of genes involved in several pro-tumorigenic functions including tumor cell growth and motility. [Pharmacol Res] Abstract

Role of Pericellular Matrix in the Regulation of Cancer Stemness
Scientists review the key roles of hyaluronan and CD44 in cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance and propagation and show that CSC-like spheroids from a rabdhomyosarcoma cell line, namely RD, have a prominent pericellular coat necessary for sphere formation and for elevated migration. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field.

TEDCO Approves $8.4 Million in New Stem Cell Research
The Board of Directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) has approved the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission’s recommendation to fund 26 new research proposals totaling $8,406,269. [TEDCO] Press Release

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National Institutes of Health (United States)

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Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

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Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the extracellular matrix community.

Scientific Communications and Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Remodeling (Scripps Research Institute)

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)

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