Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.35 | Sep 8 2016

TOP STORY

Interaction between Integrin α₅ and PDE4D Regulates Endothelial Inflammatory Signaling

To investigate how fibronectin modulates inflammation in arteries, researchers replaced the cytoplasmic tail of the fibronectin receptor integrin α₅ with that of the collagen/laminin receptor integrin α₂. This chimera suppressed inflammatory signaling in endothelial cells on fibronectin and in knock-in mice. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

ATRA Mechanically Reprograms Pancreatic Stellate Cells to Suppress Matrix Remodeling and Inhibit Cancer Cell Invasion

Scientists showed that ATRA reduces the ability of pancreatic stellate cellsto generate high traction forces and adapt to extracellular mechanical cues (mechanosensing), as well as suppresses force-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling to inhibit local cancer cell invasion in 3D organotypic models. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Natural Myocardial ECM Patch Drives Cardiac Progenitor Based Restoration Even after Scarring

Investigators evaluated the regenerative capacity of non-supplemented and bioactive patches made of decellularized porcine cardiac extracellular matrix and characterized the biological key factors involved in possible cardiac function restoration following acute and eight weeks chronic myocardial infarction. [Acta Biomater] Full Article

Direct Mapping of Additional Modifications on Phosphorylated O-Glycans of α-Dystroglycan by Mass Spectrometry Analysis in Conjunction with Knocking Out of Causative Genes for Dystroglycanopathy

By direct nano-LC-MS2/MS3 analysis of tryptic glycopeptides derived from a truncated recombinant αDG expressed in the wild-type and a panel of mutated cells deficient in one of these enzymes, investigators sought to define the full extent of variable modifications on this phosphorylated core O-glycan at the functional T317/T319 sites. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Abstract | Full Article

Thermo-Responsive Collagen/Cell Penetrating Hybrid Peptide as Nanocarrier in Targeting-Free Cell Selection and Uptake

Scientists demonstrated a novel approach to cell section relying on a thermo-responsive peptide-based nanocarrier. The hybrid peptide containing cell-penetrating peptide and collagen domains was designed to undergo coil-to-helix transition below physiological temperature. [Anal Chem] Abstract

Simultaneous Spatiotemporal Mapping of In Situ pH and Bacterial Activity within an Intact 3D Microcolony Structure

The authors simultaneously analyzed in situ pH and gene expression within intact biofilms and measured the impact of damage to the surrounding exopolysaccharides-matrix. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Thrombomodulin Promotes Focal Adhesion Kinase Activation and Contributes to Angiogenesis by Binding to Fibronectin

Researchers demonstrated that recombinant lectin-like domain of thrombomodulin (TM) interacts with an extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin, and identified the N-terminal 70-kDa domain of fibronectin as the TM-binding site. Exogenous expression of TM in TM-deficient A2058 melanoma cells enhanced cell adhesion and migration on fibronectin and invasion on Matrigel. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Low Oxygen Tension and Macromolecular Crowding Accelerate Extracellular Matrix Deposition in Human Corneal Fibroblast Culture

Development of implantable devices based on the principles of in vitro organogenesis has been hindered due to the prolonged time required to develop an implantable device. Scientists assessed the influence of serum concentration, oxygen tension and macromolecular crowding in extracellular matrix deposition in human corneal fibroblast culture. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Human Corneal Fibroblast Pattern Evolution and Matrix Synthesis on Mechanically-Biased Substrates

Using long-term live-cell microscopy, enabled by an optically-accessible mechano-bioreactor, a primary human corneal fibroblast colony was cultured on three types of substrates: a mechanically-biased dense, disorganized collagen substrate, a glass coverslip and an unloaded dense, disorganized collagen substrate. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Viscoelastic, Physical, and Bio-Degradable Properties of Dermal Scaffolds and Related Cell Behavior

Investigators aimed at comparing the viscoelastic, physical and bio-degradable properties of two dermal scaffolds, the collagen-based and clinically well established Integra^® and a novel fibrin-based dermal scaffold developed at their laboratory called Smart Matrix^®, to further evaluate their previous published findings that suggested a higher influx of cells, reduced wound contraction and less scarring for Smart Matrix^® when used in vivo. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Maintenance of Hepatic Functions in Primary Human Hepatocytes Cultured on Xeno-Free and Chemical Defined Human Recombinant Laminins

Researchers determined the distribution of laminin isoforms in human liver tissue and isolated primary human hepatocytes by western blot analysis, and investigated the efficacy of different human recombinant laminin isoforms on hepatic functions during culture. [PLoS One] Full Article

Enhancing the Three-Dimensional Structure of Adherent Gingival Fibroblasts and Spheroids via a Fibrous Protein-Based Hydrogel Cove

The authors hypothesized that extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrous proteins, which direct the migration of cells in vivo, may attach and guide polystyrene- and Matrigel^™-ECM-adherent fibroblasts to rearrangement into large multicellular macrostructures with the ability to proliferate. [Cells Tissues Organs] Full Article

Matrix Reloaded: CCN, Tenascin and SIBLING Group of Matricellular Proteins in Orchestrating Cancer Hallmark Capabilities

In continuation with the expanding horizon of matricellular proteins functions and disease association, the reviewers focus on – i) their unique domain arrangement, ii) their association with cancer hallmarks and iii) available and possible therapeutic interventions. [Pharmacol Ther] Abstract

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

MiMedx Announces Nationwide Launch of AmnioFill™

MiMedx Group, Inc. announced its plans for the nationwide launch of AmnioFill™, the first product in the MiMedx placental collagen matrix product family to be commercially launched. [MiMedx Group, Inc.] Press Release

MiMedx Awarded Six New U.S. Patents with Five Awarded for its Amniotic Membrane Allografts and One Awarded for its CollaFix™ Technology

MiMedx Group, Inc. announced an update to its intellectual property portfolio. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued six new patents to MiMedx. Of these six, five were issued for the company’s amniotic membrane allograft product lines and one was issued for the company’s CollaFix technology platform. [MiMedx Group, Inc.] Press Release

Tarix Orphan Receives Orphan Drug Status for TXA127 for Genetic Skin Disorder Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB)

Tarix Orphan LLC announced that the company has received Orphan Drug Status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for TXA127 as a potential treatment for the rare genetic skin disorder RDEB. [Tarix Orphan LLC. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Cancer Experts Unveil Wishlist for US Government ‘Moonshot’

Advisers to the US Cancer Moonshot Initiative have produced a wide-ranging laundry list of research targets for the project — even as its funding remains uncertain. The ten recommendations released on 7 September include the launch of a national clinical-trial network specifically targeted at therapies that harness the immune system, and the creation of a 3D cancer atlas to catalogue how a tumor interacts with neighbouring normal cells. [Nature News] Editorial

US Science Agencies Face Budget Limbo

Another year, another round of budget roulette for US science agencies. When Congress returns from its summer break on 6 September, it will have just three weeks to pass a new government funding bill before the 2017 budget year begins on 1 October. Policy analysts predict that lawmakers will pass a stopgap funding measure that will keep agencies’ budgets flat until the presidential election in November — and perhaps into next year. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Cell Culture and Downstream Processing World Congress
February 21-22, 2017
Munich, Germany

NEW World Advanced Therapied and Regenerative Medicine
May 17-19, 2017
London, United Kingdom

NEW European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress
September 8-12, 2017
Madrid, Spain

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

NEW PhD Student – Physical Properties of the Extracellular Matrix (Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Biomedicine)

NEW Chair in Medical Biology – Head of the Department of Biology (Masaryk University)

PhD Position – Tumor Microenvironment in Leukemia (Georg-Speyer-Haus)

Postdoctoral Associate – Molecular and Cell Biology (Stony Brook University)

PhD Student – Molecular and Cell Biology (University of Warsaw)

PhD Studentship – Fibrosis (NUI Galway)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Scientist – Osteoblast Biology (Michigan State University)

Industrial Research Manager – Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (KU Leuven)

PhD Position – Signal Transduction of Cell Migration (Bar-Ilan University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Epigenetic Mechanisms of Decellularized Extracellular Matrix on the Rejuvenation of Adult Stem Cells (West Virginia University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Enamel Proteins and Biomineralization (University of California, San Francisco)

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

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