Extracellular Matrix News Volume 7.49 | Dec 15 2016

TOP STORY

Self-Organized Amniogenesis by Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in a Biomimetic Implantation-Like Niche

Scientists report an efficient biomaterial system to generate human amnion-like tissue in vitro through self-organized development of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in a bioengineered niche mimicking the in vivo implantation environment. They showed that biophysical niche factors act as a switch to toggle hPSC self-renewal versus amniogenesis under self-renewal-permissive biochemical conditions. [Nat Mater] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Endothelial Basement Membrane Laminin 511 Is Essential for Shear Stress Response

Using resistance artery explants, investigators showed that the integral endothelial basement membrane component, laminin 511, is central to shear detection and mechanotransduction and its elimination at this site results in ablation of dilation in response to increased shear stress. [EMBO J] Full Article

Reversal of TREM-1 Ectodomain Shedding and Improved Bacterial Clearance by Intranasal Metalloproteinase Inhibitors

In a mouse co-infection model where preceding viral infection greatly enhances bacteria co-infection, researchers determined a mechanisms for the striking increase in soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and the loss of TREM-1 on surface of neutrophils. They identified a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 cleavage site in TREM-1 and that the increase of MMP-9 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid mirrors sTREM-1 release. [Mucosal Immunol] Full Article

Biohybrid Cardiac ECM-Based Hydrogels Improve Long Term Cardiac Function Post Myocardial Infarction

The authors present newly-developed injectable scaffolds, which are based on solubilized decellularized porcine cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) cross-linked with genipin alone or engineered with different amounts of chitosan to better control the gel’s mechanical properties while still leveraging the ECM biological activity. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Defining the Hierarchical Organization of Collagen VI Microfibrils at Nanometre to Micrometre Length Scales

It is not understood how collagen VI is arranged into microfibrils or how these microfibrils are arranged into tissues. Therefore scientists have characterized the hierarchical organization of collagen VI across multiple length scales. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Non-Internalizing Antibody-Drug Conjugates Display Potent Anti-Cancer Activity upon Proteolytic Release of Monomethyl Auristatin E in the Sub-Endothelial Extracellular Matrix

The authors showed that engineered variants of the F16 antibody, specific to a splice isoform of tenascin-C, selectively localize to the sub-endothelial tumor extracellular matrix in three mouse models of human cancer. A site-specific coupling of F16 in IgG format with a monomethyl auristatin E derivative, featuring a valine-citrulline dipeptide linker equipped with a self-immolative spacer, yielded an antibody-drug conjugates product, which cured tumor-bearing mice at a dose of 7 mg/Kg. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Accelerated Craniofacial Bone Regeneration through Dense Collagen Gel Scaffolds Seeded with Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Scientists evaluated the osteogenic effects of dense collagen gel scaffolds seeded with mesenchymal dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) on bone regeneration in a rat critical-size calvarial defect model. Two symmetrical full-thickness defects were created and filled with either a rat DPSC-containing dense collagen gel scaffold, or an acellular scaffold. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Rat BMSCs on a Novel Ti/SiC Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Modified by Friction Stir Processing

Scientists aimed to fabricate a novel titanium/silicon carbide (Ti/SiC) metal matrix nanocomposite by friction stir processing and to investigate its microstructure and mechanical properties. In addition, the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on the nanocomposite surface were investigated. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix Components and Culture Regimen Selectively Regulate Cartilage Formation by Self-Assembling Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Cartilage formation from self-assembling mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro recapitulate important cellular events during mesenchymal condensation that precedes native cartilage development. Researchers investigated the effects of cartilaginous extracellular matrix components and culture regimen on cartilage formation by self-assembling human MSCs in vitro and in vivo. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Effects of Exendin-4 on Human Adipose Tissue Inflammation and ECM Remodeling

To explore GLP-1 analogues’ influence on human adipose tissue’s cytokine and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation, researchers obtained and treated omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples with Exendin-4, an agonist of the GLP-1 receptor. [Nutr Diabetes] Full Article

Mimicking Biological Functionality with Polymers for Biomedical Applications

The vast opportunities for biomaterials design and functionality enabled by mimicking nature continue to stretch the limits of imagination. As both biological understanding and engineering capabilities develop, more sophisticated biomedical materials can be synthesized that have multifaceted chemical, biological and physical characteristics designed to achieve specific therapeutic goals. Mimicry is being used in the design of polymers for biomedical applications that are required locally in tissues, systemically throughout the body, and at the interface with tissues. [Nature] Abstract

TIMPs: Versatile Extracellular Regulators in Cancer

The authors review how the four non-redundant tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) regulate the pericellular proteolysis of a vast range of matrix and cell surface proteins, generating simultaneous effects on tumor architecture and cell signaling. Experimental studies demonstrate the contribution of TIMPs to the majority of cancer hallmarks, and human cancers invariably show TIMP deregulation in the tumor or stroma. [Nat Rev Cancer] Abstract

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: Protagonists of Cancer Progression?

Several recent studies have suggested important roles of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in tumor progression, metastasis and tumor-associated thrombosis. Although systematic studies to address the role of NETs in tumor development are still scarce, the authors explore the emerging evidence for NETs as potential protagonists in malignant disease and highlight the mechanisms through which these effects may be exerted. [Oncogene] Abstract

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

Experimental Implant Shows Promise for Restoring Voluntary Movement after Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal stimulator being tested by doctors at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is showing promise in restoring hand strength and movement to a California man who broke his neck in a dirt bike accident five years ago. [University of California, Los Angeles] Press Release

SpinalCyte, LLC Receives Institutional Review Board Approval for Phase I Clinical Trial

SpinalCyte, LLC announced it has received Institutional Review Board approval to begin clinical trials with its dermal fibroblast cell product, CybroCell, in the treatment of degenerative disc disease. SpinalCyte is now approved to begin randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase I clinical trials. [SpinalCyte, LLC] Press Release

BioTime Achieves Patient Recruitment Milestone in Renevia Pivotal Trial

BioTime, Inc. announced that it has achieved an important patient enrollment milestone in its Renevia^® pivotal trial in Europe. The company now has more than 50 patients in the trial, keeping it on track with the anticipated forecast for top-line data by the middle of 2017. [BioTime, Inc.] Press Release

Canada’s Government Scientists Get Antimuzzling Clause in Contract

Scientists working for the Canadian government have successfully negotiated a clause in their new contract that guarantees their right to speak to the public and the media about science and their research, without needing approval from their managers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

In Canada, Case Spurs Concern Over Misconduct Secrecy

An investigation by UBC ultimately confirmed their fears: In 2014, investigators identified 29 instances of scholarly misconduct, 16 of them “serious,” including falsification and fabrication of data, according to university correspondence obtained by Retraction Watch. The tainted work had been included in 12 papers published in six journals between 2005 and 2012, investigators found, and had drawn financial support from more than a dozen government and private funders. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Is Donald Trump Pushing More Scientists Towards Political Activism?

Around the world, individual researchers and representatives of scientific societies are signing letters of protest or advice, offering to counsel Trump’s transition team and ramping up efforts to communicate the value of science to the public. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Mouse Development, Stem Cells & Cancer
June 7-26, 2017
Cold Spring Harbor, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Biophysical Stimuli of the Culturing Microenvironment on Stem Cell Functions (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)

Faculty Positions – Department of Biomedical Engineering (Southern University of Science and Technology)

PhD Fellowship – Structural Biology of Virus-Glycan Interactions (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

Senior Principal Scientist – Medicinal Chemistry (AstraZeneca)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Decorin and Perlecan (Thomas Jefferson University)

HR Analytics Solutions Senior Specialist – Reporting & Analytics Solutions (Merck)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Focal Adhesions Proteins in Hypertrophy/Hyperplasia and Reorganization of the Extracellular Matrix (Medical Faculty Heidelberg)

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

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

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

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