Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.39 | Oct 6 2016

TOP STORY

ZEB1 Induces LOXL2-Mediated Collagen Stabilization and Deposition in the Extracellular Matrix to Drive Lung Cancer Invasion and Metastasis

Investigating the collaborative effect of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix in the metastatic process revealed increased collagen deposition in metastatic tumor tissues as a direct consequence of amplified collagen gene expression in ZEB1-activated mesenchymal lung cancer cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Bio-Inspired Design of Polycaprolactone Composite Nanofibers as Artificial Bone Extracellular Matrix for Bone Regeneration Application

To mimic bone extracellular matrix, the authors present an innovative strategy to construct drug-loaded composite nanofibrous scaffolds, which could integrate multiple cues from calcium phosphate mineral, bioactive molecule and highly ordered fiber topography for control of stem cell fate. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Adhesive Ligand Tether Length Affects the Size and Length of Focal Adhesions and Influences Cell Spreading and Attachment

Discrete adhesive ligands within flexible strands of fibronectin connect cell surface integrins to the broader extracellular matrix and are thought to mediate mechanosensing through the cytoskeleton-integrin-ECM linkage. Researchers set out to determine if adhesive ligand tether length is another physical cue that cells can sense. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Sera of Patients with Spontaneous Tumor Regression and Elevated Anti-CA I Autoantibodies Change the Gene Expression of ECM Proteins

When tumor cells were grown in vitro in the presence of patients’ sera positive for anti-CA I autoantibodies, their morphological pattern was altered. These changes were accompanied by modifications in the gene expression profile. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

HSP47 Promotes Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cell Survival by Modulating Tumor Microenvironment Extracellular Matrix through TGF-β Pathway

Scientists found that overexpression of HSP47 promotes primary glioma cell tumor formation, invasion, angiogenesis and stem-like properties. The overexpression of HSP47 was correlated and promoted extracellular matrix related genes through TGF-β pathway in glioblastoma multiforme. [ACS Chem Neurosci] Abstract

Proprotein Convertase Processing Enhances Peroxidasin Activity to Reinforce Collagen IV

Investigators showed through N-terminal sequencing, pharmacologic studies, and mutational analysis that proprotein convertases (PCs) proteolytically process human Pxdn at R1336, a location relatively close to its C-terminus. PC processing enhances the enzymatic activity of Pxdn and facilitates the formation of sulfilimine cross-links in collagen IV. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

Scattering of Cell Clusters in Confinement

The authors examined how the integrity of epithelial cell clusters is regulated by subcellular forces, protrusions, and adhesions for varying extracellular matrix inputs, such as stiffness, topography, and dimensionality. [Biophys J] Abstract

PEP-1-SIRT2-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and -13 Modulates Type II Collagen Expression via ERK Signaling in Rabbit Articular Chondrocytes

Investigators previously found that PEP-1-sirtuin (SIRT)2 could induce dedifferentiation of articular chondrocytes; however, the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. They addressed this in the present study by examining the association between PEP-1-SIRT2 and the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 and type II collagen in rabbit articular chondrocytes. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Constitutive Association of Tie1 and Tie2 with Endothelial Integrins is Functionally Modulated by Angiopoietin-1 and Fibronectin

Researchers examined the possibility that receptor cross-talk is driven through uncharacterized Tie-integrin interactions on the endothelial surface. Using a live cell FRET-based proximity assay, they monitored Tie-integrin receptor recognition and demonstrate that both Tie1 and Tie2 readily associate with integrins α5ß1 and αVß3 through their respective ectodomains. [PLoS One] Full Article

Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Activity by COX-2-PGE2-pAKT Axis Promotes Angiogenesis in Endometriosis

Scientists aimed to understand the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity in endothelial cells and on angiogenesis during progression of ovarian endometriosis. Histological and biochemical data showed increased expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-2, cycloxygenase (COX)-2, von Willebrand factor along with angiogenesis during endometriosis progression. [PLoS One] Full Article

Laminin: Loss-of-Function Studies

The author briefly introduces the nomenclature, structure, and biochemistry of laminin in general. Next, all the loss-of-function mutants/models for each laminin chain are discussed and their phenotypes compared. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

Systems Biology – Opportunities and Challenges: The Application of Proteomics to Study the Cardiovascular Extracellular Matrix

The authors first discuss decellularization-based methods that enrich for extracellular matrix proteins in cardiac tissue, and how targeted mass spectrometry allows for accurate protein quantification. Secondly, they focus on post-translational modifications including hydroxylation and glycosylation and on the release of matrix fragments with biological activity, all of which can be interrogated by proteomic techniques. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract | Full Article

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Advances in Regenerative Medicine with MiMedx EpiFix^® and AmnioFix^®

MiMedx Group, Inc. announced that seven poster abstracts showing the clinical and cost effective healing results of the company’s EpiFix and AmnioFix dehydrated Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane allografts will be presented. [Press release from MiMedx Group, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2016 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Fall (SAWC Fall), Las Vegas] Press Release

Dr. Allen Eaves of STEMCELL Technologies Inc. Named EY Entrepreneur of The Year^™ Pacific 2016

Dr. Allen Eaves, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of STEMCELL Technologies, a global biotechnology company that supplies tools and services to enable life science research, is this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific winner. [Ernst & Young (CNW Group Ltd.)] Press Release

MatriTek Launches Commercial Operations at the Alexandria Center for Life Science in New York City

MatriTek, Inc. announced the launch of commercial production of novel extracellular matrix biomaterials for biomedical research. MatriTek’s proprietary TissueSpec^™ platform technology enables scientists to culture cells in a physiologically relevant extracellular microenvironment and is coupled with the company’s core expertise in cell and tissue culture biomaterials and in vitro models for biomedical research. [MatriTek, Inc.] Press Release

Dramatic Twists Could Upend Patent Battle over CRISPR Genome-Editing Method

The 9-month-old patent battle over CRISPR, a novel genome-editing tool that could have immense commercial value, has taken two surprising twists. Last week, attorneys for the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, one of the research organizations vying for CRISPR rights, submitted motions that could let it win even if it loses. [Science Insider] Editorial

Democratic Databases: Science on GitHub

Scientists are turning to a software–development site to share data and code. [Nature Toolbox] Editorial

UK Bioethicists Eye Designer Babies and CRISPR Cows

From designer babies to engineered mosquitoes, advances in genome-editing technologies such as CRISPR–Cas9 have raised the possibility of tremendous scientific advances — and serious ethical concerns. [Nature News] Editorial

Biologists Plan Scoring System for Antibodies

Biomedical experts plan to create a scoring system that will help researchers choose reliable antibodies for their experiments. The only problems: figuring out how such a ranking would work — and getting manufacturers to adopt the standard. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW VII InterAmerican Oncology Conference
October 5-6, 2017
Buenos Aires, Argentina

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NEW Group/Team Leader – Cell Biology and Biophysics (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

NEW Group/Team Leader – Developmental Biology (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cellular Information Processing (University of Chicago)

Postdoc Position – Molecular Basis of Protein Trafficking (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry)

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)

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

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