Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.41 | Oct 20 2016

TOP STORY

High-Density Collagen Patch Prevents Stricture after Endoscopic Circumferential Submucosal Dissection of the Esophagus: A Porcine Model

Extensive excision of the esophageal mucosa by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) frequently evokes a luminal stricture. Investigators aimed to determine the efficacy of a high-density collagen patch for the prevention of esophageal stricture in extensive ESD. [Gastrointest Endosc] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Extracellular Matrix-Coated Composite Scaffolds Promote Mesenchymal Stem Cell Persistence and Osteogenesis

To synergize the benefits of an instructive extracellular matrix (ECM) with composite scaffolds, researchers tested the capacity of ECM-coated composite scaffolds to promote cell persistence and resultant osteogenesis. Human MSCs cultured on ECM-coated scaffolds exhibited increased metabolic activity and decreased apoptosis compared to uncoated scaffolds. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

Protease Induced Plasticity: Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Promotes Neurostructural Changes through Activation of Protease Activated Receptor 1

Researchers developed a novel system to investigate the selective overexpression of a single matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) driven by GFAP expressing cells in vivo. They showed that MMP-1 induces cellular and behavioral phenotypes consistent with enhanced signaling through the G-protein coupled protease activated receptor 1. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Enhanced Cryopreservation of MSCs in Microfluidic Bioreactor by Regulated Shear Flow

The prime objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of shear-stress and cell-substrate interaction in successful recovery of adherent human mesenchymal-stem-cells. A customized microfluidic bioreactor was used for the purpose. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Compression-Induced Structural and Mechanical Changes of Fibrin-Collagen Composites

Unconfined compression was applied to a fibrin-collagen filamentous polymer composite matrix to study its structural and mechanical responses to compressive deformation. Combining collagen with fibrin resulted in formation of a composite hydrogel exhibiting synergistic mechanical properties compared to the isolated fibrin and collagen matrices. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Cell-Extracellular Matrix and Cell-Cell Adhesion Are Linked by Syndecan-4

The authors showed that wild type primary fibroblasts and those lacking syndecan-4 utilize different cadherins in their adherens junctions and that tension is a major factor in this differential response. This corresponded to the reduced ability of fibroblasts lacking syndecan-4 to exert tension on the cell-extracellular matrix and they now show that this may extend to reduced tension in cell-cell adhesion. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Oxygen Mapping: Probing a Novel Seeding Strategy for Bone Tissue Engineering

A novel oxygen-imaging sensor was introduced to monitor the oxygen distribution in three dimensional scaffolds in order to analyze a new cell-seeding strategy. Immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells, pre-cultured in a monolayer for 30-40% or 70-80% confluence, were used to seed demineralized bone matrix scaffolds. [Biotechnol Bioeng] Abstract

Nanoscale Imaging of Collagen Gels with Focused Ion Beam Milling and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scientists polymerized gels at a number of concentrations and conditions commonly used for in vitro models, stained and embedded the samples, and performed focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy imaging. The resulting image data had a voxel size of 25 nm, which is the highest resolution 3D data of a collagen fibril network ever obtained for collagen gels. [Biophys J] Full Article

Physiological Fluid Flow Moderates Fibroblast Responses to TGF-β1

Scientists report that in both oral and dermal fibroblasts, physiological levels of fluid flow induced widespread changes in gene expression compared to static cultures, including up-regulation of genes associated with TGFβ signaling and endocytosis. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Stiffening Induces a Malignant Phenotypic Transition in Breast Epithelial Cells

The authors employed a temporally stiffening hydrogel platform to demonstrate that matrix stiffening induces invasion from and proliferation in MCF10A mammary acini. After allowing MCF10A acini to form in soft hydrogels for 14 days, the gels were stiffened to the level of a malignant tumor, giving rise to a proliferative and invasive phenotype. [Cell Mol Bioeng] Abstract

Collagen XVIII in Tissue Homeostasis and Dysregulation – Lessons Learned from Model Organisms and Human Patients

The authors summarize current knowledge on the properties and endogenous functions of collagen XVIII in normal situations and tissue dysregulation. When data is available, they discuss the functions of the distinct isoforms and their specific domains. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

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

Alternative to Corneal Transplantation May Improve Outcomes in People with a Degenerative Eye Disease

An innovative procedure may improve outcomes in people with a degenerative eye disease, suggest five-year results from a study presented. Transplantation of one layer of the cornea may help people with keratoconus avoid or delay full corneal transplantation and other potentially risky procedures, according to the researchers. [Press release from the American Academy of Ophthalmology discussing research presented at 120^th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Chicago] Press Release

CollPlant Receives CE Mark for Vergenix^™STR for Treatment of Tendinopathy

CollPlant announced that it has achieved a significant milestone with the receipt of the CE Mark for Vergenix^™STR, a soft tissue repair matrix for the treatment of tendinopathy. [CollPlant] Press Release

Symic Bio Appoints Morten Karsdal, Ph.D., to Scientific Advisory Board

Symic Bio, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new category of therapeutics focused on extracellular matrix biology, announced that Morten Karsdal, Ph.D., has been appointed as a member of the company’s Scientific Advisory Board. [Symic Bio] Press Release

Europe’s Drug Regulator Opens Vaults of Clinical-Trials Data

In a move lauded as a landmark for transparency in medical science, the London-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) has begun to publish details of the full clinical-trial data that it receives from pharmaceutical companies. The disclosures make the EMA the first major drug regulatory agency to publish the warts-and-all results of clinical investigations that drug developers submit when they apply for the agency’s approval to market medicines in the EU. [Nature News] Editorial

How Republicans Reshaped the House Science Committee

Lamar Smith has made his mark on science. As chairman of the US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Texas Republican has launched dozens of investigations into alleged wrongdoing by scientists, environmental groups and government officials. And he shows no signs of slowing down. [Nature News] Editorial

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

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Scaffold Design & Drug/Gene Delivery (Nanyang Technological University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Non-Viral Gene Delivery for Neural Tissue Engineering Research (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Molecular Functions of Planar Cell Polarity (Stony Brook University)

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 Fellow/Scientist – Osteoblast Biology (Michigan State University)

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

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

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