Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.00 | Jan 5 2017

TOP STORY

Cell Division Orientation Is Coupled to Cell–Cell Adhesion by the E-Cadherin/LGN Complex

Scientists demonstrated that the cell–cell adhesion protein E-cadherin functions as an instructive cue for cell division orientation. This was mediated by the evolutionarily conserved LGN/NuMA complex, which regulates cortical attachments of astral spindle microtubules. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

ROCK Signaling Promotes Collagen Remodeling to Facilitate Invasive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Tumor Cell Growth

Conditional ROCK1 or ROCK2 activation promoted invasive growth of mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells into three-dimensional collagen matrices by increasing matrix remodeling activities. RNA sequencing revealed a coordinated program of ROCK-induced genes that facilitate extracellular matrix remodeling, with greatest fold-changes for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) Mmp10 and Mmp13 MMP inhibition not only decreased collagen degradation and invasion, but also reduced proliferation in three-dimensional contexts. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article

Matrix Stiffening Promotes a Tumor Vasculature Phenotype

Using in vitro, in vivo, and ex ovo models, the authors investigated the effects of matrix stiffness on vessel growth and integrity during angiogenesis. Their data indicate that angiogenic outgrowth, invasion, and neovessel branching increase with matrix cross-linking. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

A Novel Microstructural Interpretation for the Biomechanics of Mouse Skin Derived from Multiscale Characterization

Using a recently developed setup combining multiphoton microscopy with mechanical assay, the authors imaged the fibers network evolution during dermis stretching. These observations, combined with a wide set of mechanical tests, allowed them to challenge the classical microstructural interpretation of the mechanical properties of the dermis: they observed a continuous alignment of the collagen fibers along the stretching. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Surface Topography and Mechanical Strain Promote Keratocyte Phenotype and Extracellular Matrix Formation in a Biomimetic 3D Corneal Model

The influence of surface topography and mechanical strain on keratocyte phenotype and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation within a biomimetic 3D corneal model was studied. By modifying the surface topography of materials, it was found that patterned silk fibroin film with 600 grooves mm^-1 optimally supports cell alignment and ECM arrangement. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Multifunctional Self-Adhesive Fibrous Layered Matrix (FiLM) for Tissue Glues and Therapeutic Carriers

Multifunctional adherent fibrous matrices, acting as self-adhesive scaffolds capable of cell/gene delivery, were devised by coaxially electrospinning poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). Wrapping the building block PCL fibers with the adherent PVP layers formed film-like fibrous matrices that could rapidly adhere to wet biological surfaces, referred to as FiLM adhesives. [Biomacromolecules] Full Article

Human Heart Valve-Derived Scaffold Improves Cardiac Repair in a Murine Model of Myocardial Infarction

Investigators hypothesized that human heart valve-derived scaffold (hHVS), as a clinically relevant novel biomaterial, may provide the proper microenvironment of native myocardial extracellular matrix for cardiac repair. In this study, human heart valve tissue was sliced into 100 μm tissue sheet by frozen-sectioning and then decellularized to form the hHVS. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Local Alignment Vectors Reveal Cancer Cell-Induced ECM Fiber Remodeling Dynamics

Researchers developed a novel local alignment vector analysis method to quantitatively measure collagen fiber alignment as a vector field using Circular Statistics. This method was applied to human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines, embedded as spheroids in a collagen gel. [Sci Rep] Full Article

ICAP-1 Monoubiquitination Coordinates Matrix Density and Rigidity Sensing for Cell Migration through ROCK2- MRCKα Balance

The authors showed that ICAP-1 is monoubiquitinated by Smurf1, preventing ICAP-1 binding to β1 integrin. The non-ubiquitinable form of ICAP-1 modifies β1 integrin focal adhesion organization and interferes with fibronectin density sensing. ICAP-1 is also required for adapting cell migration in response to substrate stiffness in a β1 integrin-independent manner. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Integrin alpha6 Maintains the Structural Integrity of the Kidney Collecting System

Investigators showed that selectively deleting the α6 or β4 integrin subunits at the initiation of ureteric bud development in mice does not affect morphogenesis. However, the collecting system becomes dilated and dysmorphic as the mice age. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Multiparametric Analysis of Cell Shape Demonstrates that β-PIX Directly Couples YAP Activation to Extracellular Matrix Adhesion

The authors present an approach that mitigates confounding effects of cell-shape changes, allowing us to identify direct regulators of YAP localization. Their method uses single-cell image analysis and statistical models that exploit the naturally occurring heterogeneity of cellular populations. [Cell Syst] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Molecular Insights into Prolyl and Lysyl Hydroxylation of Fibrillar Collagens in Health and Disease

The authors give a revised overview of the enzymes and chaperones currently known to be relevant to the conversion of lysine and proline into hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, respectively, and the O-glycosylation of hydroxylysine and give insights into the consequences when these steps are disrupted. [Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol] Abstract

The Nature and Biology of Basement Membranes

The authors address developmental, structural and biochemical aspects of basement membranes and discuss some of the pathogenetic mechanisms causing diseases linked to abnormal basement membranes. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

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

Humacyte Commences U.S. Phase II Arterial Bypass Clinical Trial

Humacyte announced the initiation of a U.S. Phase II arterial bypass clinical trial of HUMACYL^®, its investigational human acellular vessel, to test the safety and efficacy as a lower extremity arterial bypass vessel in patients with peripheral arterial disease. [Humacyte (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Renowned Heart Surgeon Kristine J. Guleserian, MD, Joins The Heart Program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Nicklaus Children’s Hospital welcomes world-renowned congenital heart surgeon, Kristine J. Guleserian, MD, to The Heart Program. Dr. Guleserian supports The Heart Program’s robust congenital heart surgery offerings and also serves as the Director of The Heart Failure and Transplant Program. [Miami Children’s Health System (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

US Scientists Fear New Restrictions on Fetal-Tissue Research

House Republicans conclude that tissue from aborted fetuses is of limited value for research and seek to reduce funding. [Nature News] Editorial

Argentina’s Researchers Occupy Science Ministry

Hundreds of young researchers occupied Argentina’s science ministry in Buenos Aires last month, angry at budget cuts that they say have denied them permanent jobs at the country’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council. The occupation was the most extreme action yet by Argentinian scientists after months of protests at last year’s budget, the first under President Mauricio Macri. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposium: Lipidomics and Bioactive Lipids in Metabolism and Disease
February 26-March 2, 2017
Tahoe City, United States

NEW Workshop for Future Junior Group Leaders
May 2, 2017
Cologne, Germany

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

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Various Projects (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow & PhD Student – Novel Synthetic 3D Tissue Models (Thomas Jefferson University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Nanocellulose Fibril Characterization for New Materials (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

NEW Assistant Professor – Microbial Biology, Microbial Ecology, Human Microbiomes, Biofilms (Washington State University Tri-Cities)

NEW Tenure Track Faculty Position – Kidney Bench Research (University of Pennsylvania)

NEW PhD Position – Microbial Biofilm Management (KU Leuven)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Decorin and Perlecan (Thomas Jefferson University)

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

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

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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