Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.23 | Jun 16 2016

TOP STORY

Tissue-Engineered Autologous Grafts for Facial Bone Reconstruction

Scientists engineered one of the most geometrically complex facial bones by using autologous stromal/stem cells, native bovine bone matrix, and a perfusion bioreactor for the growth and transport of living grafts, without bone morphogenetic proteins. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Microvesicles Provide a Mechanism for Intercellular Communication by Embryonic Stem Cells during Embryo Implantation

Investigators demonstrated that embryonic stem cells derived from the inner cell mass generate and shed microvesicles, a major class of extracellular vesicles, which influence trophoblast behaviour during the implantation process. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Three-Dimensional Polydopamine Functionalized Coiled Microfibrous Scaffolds Enhance Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Colonization and Mild Myofibroblastic Differentiation

Polycaprolactone (PCL) was electrospun into a grounded coagulation bath collector, resulting in 3D coiled microfibers with in situ surface functionalization with hydrophilic, catecholic polydopamine. The 3D scaffolds showed biocompatibility and were well-integrated with human bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells, with significantly higher cell penetration depth compared to that of the 2D PCL microfibers from traditional electrospinning. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Proximity Biotinylation Provides Insight into the Molecular Composition of Focal Adhesions at the Nanometer Scale

The authors used proximity-dependent biotinylation in U2OS osteosarcoma cells to label proteins within 15 to 25 nm of paxillin, a cytoplasmic focal adhesion protein, and kindlin-2, which directly binds β integrins. Using mass spectrometry analysis of the biotinylated proteins, they identified 27 known adhesome proteins and eight previously unknown components close to paxillin. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Biomedical-Grade, High Mannuronic Acid Content (BioMVM) Alginate Enhances the Proteoglycan Production of Primary Human Meniscal Fibrochondrocytes in a 3-D Microenvironment

Scientists systematically evaluated four biomedical- and two nonbiomedical-grade alginates for their capacity to provide the best three-dimensional (3-D) microenvironment and to support proteoglycan synthesis of encapsulated human meniscal fibrochondrocytes in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The CLC-2 Chloride Channel Modulates ECM Synthesis, Differentiation, and Migration of Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Transforming growth factor-β1-induced migration and transition of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts characterized by α-smooth muscle actin expression, supported by increased endogenous expression of chloride channel (CLC)-2 protein and mRNA transcripts. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Crosstalk between Human Monocytic U937 Cells and Gingival Fibroblasts in Co-Culturally Enhanced Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression

A synergistically enhanced matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in a co-culture of human gingival fibroblasts and human monocytic U937 cells was observed. Scientists demonstrated a crosstalk between these two cells via the extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer. [J Periodontol] Abstract

Eosinophils Enhance WNT-5a and TGF-β1 Genes Expression in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells and Promote Their Proliferation by Increased Extracellular Matrix Proteins Production in Asthma

The authors investigated the effect of eosinophils from asthmatic and non-asthmatic subjects on Wnt-5a, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and extracellular matrix protein gene expression and airway smooth muscle cell proliferation. [BMC Pulm Med] Full Article

Matrix-Bound Nanovesicles within ECM Bioscaffolds

Researchers showed that matrix-bound nanovesicles contain microRNA capable of exerting phenotypical and functional effects on macrophage activation and neuroblastoma cell differentiation. [Sci Adv] Abstract

A Materials Science Vision of Extracellular Matrix Mineralization

The authors review how perturbations of biomineralization are controlled over a continuum that spans from the desirable (or defective in disease) mineralization of the skeleton to pathological cardiovascular mineralization, and to mineralization of bioengineered constructs. [Nat Rev Mater] Abstract

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

Results from Studies of OviTex™ Reinforced BioScaffolds Presented at Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Conference

TELA Bio, Inc. announced that results from three studies of the company’s OviTex™ reinforced bioScaffolds were presented. [Press release from TELA Bio, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research presented at the Abdominal Wall Reconstruction (AWR) Conference, Washington D.C.] Press Release

Symic Advances Product Candidate SB-061 into Clinical Development for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Symic announced the treatment of the first patient in the MODIFY-OA Clinical Trial investigating SB-061, a novel and proprietary treatment specifically developed for acute management of osteoarthritis pain. [Symic Biomedical, Inc.] Press Release

NASA Challenge Aims to Grow Human Tissue to Aid in Deep Space Exploration

NASA, in partnership with the nonprofit Methuselah Foundation’s New Organ Alliance, is seeking ways to advance the field of bioengineering through a new prize competition. The Vascular Tissue Challenge offers a $500,000 prize to be divided among the first three teams that successfully create thick, metabolically-functional human vascularized organ tissue in a controlled laboratory environment. [NASA] Press Release

NEW International Conference on Stem Cell Engineering 2016
October 23-26, 2016
Toronto, Canada

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

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Inflammatory Mechanisms Involved in Aortic Aneurysm (NYU Langone Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Angiogenesis, Proteases and Extracellular Matrix (GENYO)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine (Queen Mary University of London)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Intracellular Calcium Cycling (Cedars-Sinai Heart 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 – 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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