Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.37 | Sep 22 2016

TOP STORY

Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Durotaxis Depends on Extracellular Matrix Composition

The authors developed and characterized a polyacrylamide hydrogel culture platform featuring highly tunable gradients in mechanical stiffness. This feature, together with the ability to control extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, allowed them to isolate the effects of mechanical and biological signals on cell migratory behavior. Using this system, they tracked vascular smooth muscle cell migration in vitro and quantitatively analyzed differences in cell migration as a function of ECM composition. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Calpain-Activated mTORC2/Akt Pathway Mediates Airway Smooth Muscle Remodeling in Asthma

Calpain is a family of calcium-dependent endopeptidases, which plays an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling. However, the role of calpain in airway smooth muscle remodeling remains unknown. Researchers investigated the role of calpain in asthmatic airway remodeling as well as the underling mechanism. [Clin Exp Allergy] Abstract

Transcriptome Meta-Analysis Reveals a Dysregulation in Extra Cellular Matrix and Cell Junction Associated Gene Signatures during Dengue Virus Infection

Researchers carried out a meta-analysis of publicly available gene expression data of dengue patients and further validated the meta-profile using in vitro infection in THP-1 cells. Their findings revealed that Dengue viruses infection modulates expression of several genes and signaling pathways including interferons, detoxification of ROS and viral assembly. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Nerve Guidance by a Decellularized Fibroblast Extracellular Matrix

Researchers explored the ability of a mesenchymal extracellular matrix (ECM) to support neurite outgrowth from neurons in the superior cervical ganglia. Length and morphology of neurites extended on a decellularized fibroblast ECM were compared to those on substrates coated with laminin, a major ECM protein in neural tissue, or fibronectin, the main component of a mesenchymal ECM. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Controlled Release of Hepatocyte Growth Factor from MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PLLA) Diblock Copolymer for Improved Vocal Fold Regeneration

The authors conclude that controlled hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) release helps to regulate extracellular matrix synthesis, and leads to the eventual functional improvement of the scarred vocal folds. [Macromol Biosci] Abstract

Nitric Oxide Induces Cardiac Protection by Preventing Extracellular Matrix Degradation through the Complex Caveolin-3/EMMPRIN in Cardiac Myocytes

The authors sought to determine if nitric oxide may induce cardiac protection by preventing glycosylation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in a mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion (IR). They found that caveolin-3 binds to low glycosylated EMMPRIN in cardiac cells and in the hearts of healthy mice, whereas IR disrupted the complex in nitric oxide synthase 2 knockout mice. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Extracellular Matrix Regulates the Effect of Decorin and Transforming Growth Factor Beta-2 (TGF-β2) on Myoblast Migration

Scientists demonstrated that decorin can dramatically alter the inhibitory role of TGF-β on human myoblast migration and go on to shown that the extracellular matrix can significantly modify this effect. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-o-Gallate and Quercetin on the Cryopreservation of Cartilage Tissue

The effects of epigallocatechin-3-o-gallate (EGCG) and quercetin on the contents of extracellular matrix (ECM) in porcine cartilage at 4°C were investigated. The addition of quercetin for the incubation of porcine cartilage disks at 4°C for 2 weeks could suppress the decrease in ECM and the compliance of the disks, markedly greater than those of EGCG. [Biosci Biotechnol Biochem] Abstract

Downregulated Smad4 Affects Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury

Researchers explored the effect of Smad4 on the extracellular matrix remodeling in ventilator-induced lung injury. [Ann Clin Lab Sci] Abstract

Adapting Extracellular Matrix Proteomics for Clinical Studies on Cardiac Remodeling Post-Myocardial Infarction

This review focuses on the efforts taken in the proteomics research field that have expanded the understanding of post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricle remodeling, concentrating on the strengths and limitations of different proteomic approaches to glean information that is specific to extracellular matrix turnover in the post-MI setting. [Clin Proteomics] Full Article

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

Anika Announces Data Presentations on HYALOFAST Hyaluronic Acid-Based Scaffold

Anika Therapeutics, Inc. announced four data presentations on HYALOFAST, a biodegradable HA-based scaffold. [Press release from Anika Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 13^th World Congress of the International Cartilage Repair Society, Naples] Press Release

Cellular Dynamics Announces Launch of iCell^® Hepatoblasts to Enable Research into Therapies that Stimulate Liver Regeneration

Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. announced the launch of iCell^® Hepatoblasts, liver progenitor cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells show promise for liver regeneration therapy research by enabling researchers to identify molecules capable of stimulating liver progenitor cell proliferation and growth. [Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.] Press Release

Celprogen Introduces 3D Printed Scaffold Human Heart that May Someday Be Utilized in Heart Transplants

Celprogen Inc. announced that they have successfully finished printing 3D hearts from flexible poly lactic acid material scaffold that was populated with adult human cardiac stem cells. [Celprogen Inc.] Press Release

Titanic Clash over CRISPR Patents Turns Ugly

Much of the focus is on the teams centred at Berkeley and the Broad Institute, whose ‘foundational’ patents cover a wide swathe of CRISPR–Cas9 applications. Although Berkeley’s team filed for a patent first, the Broad opted for an expedited review process, and its patents were granted earlier. [Nature News] Editorial

Spain Joins Bandwagon for ‘Openness’ About Animal Research

The Spanish scientific community has pledged to become more transparent about animal research. Ninety research centers, universities, scientific societies, and companies around Spain have adopted a set of standards, launched by the Confederation of Spanish Scientific Societies, on how research organizations should open up communication channels about their use of laboratory animals. [Science Insider] Editorial

New Fellowship Aims to Increase Diversity in the Life Sciences

A new program aims to launch the careers of life scientists from underrepresented groups by providing up to 8 years of support, covering both the postdoctoral training and junior faculty stages. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program will award up to 15 recipients with $60,000 of salary support and $20,000 in flexible funds paid to their institutions for each of up to 4 years of postdoc training. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW Extracellular Vesicles and the Tumor Microenvironment
January 23-24, 2017
London, United Kingdom

NEW Challenges, Solutions and Progress in Stem Cell Medicine
February 18-21, 2017
Carslbad, United States

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

NEW PhD Position – Mechanotransduction Associated with Integrin-Mediated Phagocytosis (Institut Cochin- Infection Immunity and Inflammation)

NEW PhD Position – P2X7 Receptors in Cancer Cells (University of East Anglia)

Early Stage Researcher PhD Positions – Controlling Cartilage to Bone Transitions for Improved Treatment of Bone Defects and Osteoarthritis (Various Employers)

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Extracellular Matrix News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.