Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.01 | Jan 12 2017

TOP STORY

Starved Epithelial Cells Uptake Extracellular Matrix for Survival

Scientists demonstrated that under conditions of dietary restriction or growth factor starvation, where PI3K/mTOR signaling is decreased, matrix-attached human mammary epithelial cells upregulated and internalized β4-integrin along with its matrix substrate, laminin. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Intra-Articular Delivery of Antago-miR-483-5p Inhibits Osteoarthritis by Modulating Matrilin-3 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2

Real-time PCR assay revealed that microRNA (miRNA)-483-5p was upregulated in articular cartilage from osteoarthritis (OA) patients and experimental OA mice induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus compared to their controls. Overexpression of miR-483-5p by intra-articular injection of lentivirus LV3-miR-483-5p significantly enhanced the severity of experimental OA. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Full Article

A Modified Collagen Scaffold Facilitates Endogenous Neurogenesis for Acute Spinal Cord Injury Repair

A linearly ordered collagen scaffold was used to prevent scar deposition, guide nerve regeneration and carry drugs to neutralize the inhibitory molecules. A collagen-binding EGFR antibody Fab fragment, CBD-Fab, was constructed to neutralize the myelin inhibitory molecules, which was demonstrated to promote neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth under myelin in vitro. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

A Highly Versatile Adaptor Protein for the Tethering of Growth Factors to Gelatin-Based Biomaterials

Scientists chose to investigate the capture of the basic fibroblast growth factor and the epidermal growth factor on a gelatin layer, as a model for the functionalization of collagen-based biomaterials. Their strategy relied on the use of two high affinity interactions, that is, the one between two distinct coil peptides as well as the one occurring between a collagen-binding domain and gelatin. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Lack of Collagen XV Is Protective after Ischemic Stroke in Mice

Investigators report that collagen XV knock-out (ColXV KO) mice are resistant to experimental ischemic stroke. Interestingly, the infarcts of ColXV KO mice were as small as those of wild-type mice thrombolysed with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, the actual treatment for ischemic stroke. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of the Extracellular Matrix of Pancreatic Islets during the Angiogenic Switch and Insulinoma Progression

The authors used quantitative proteomics to profile the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of pancreatic islets in a mouse model of insulinoma characterized by a precisely timed angiogenic switch. Out of the 120 ECM proteins quantified, 35 were detected in significantly different abundance as pancreatic islets progressed from being hyperplastic to angiogenic to insulinomas. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Mammary Extracellular Matrix Directs Differentiation of Testicular and Embryonic Stem Cells to Form Functional Mammary Glands In Vivo

Researchers tested whether acellular mammary extracellular matrix (mECM) preparations are sufficient to direct differentiation of testicular-derived cells and embryonic stem cells to form functional mammary epithelial trees in vivo. They found that mECMs isolated from adult mice and rats were sufficient to redirect testicular derived cells to produce normal mammary epithelial trees within epithelial divested mouse mammary fat-pads. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing Inositol 5′-Phosphatase Ameliorates High Glucose-Induced Extracellular Matrix Deposition via the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Pathway in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

The authors investigated the effect of Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5′-phosphatase (SHIP) on extracellular matrix deposition in diabetic mice and high glucose-stimulated human renal tubular epithelial cells. The decreased SHIP and increased phospho-Akt were found in the renal tubular cells of diabetic mice, which were accompanied by over-expression of transforming growth factor-β1, α-smooth muscle actin, and secreted collagen type 3 and a low expression of E-cadherin compared to that in normal mice. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Promotes Endothelial Differentiation of Stem Cells from Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth

Researchers extracted decellularized extracellular matrix from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs-DECM) to provide a bioactive substratum conducive to the endothelial differentiation of dental stem cells. Compared to cells plated on tissue culture polystyrene, stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth cultured on the HUVECs-DECM demonstrated more regular arrangement and elongated morphology. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Inhibition of MT1-MMP Proteolytic Function and ERK1/2 Signaling Influences Cell Migration and Invasion through Changes in MMP-2 and MMP-9 Levels

Using invasive MDA-MB 231 cells that endogenously produce membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and have naturally high pERK levels, investigators demonstrated the identical inverse relationship between MMP-2 and -9 transcript and protein levels, suggesting that this novel relationship is conserved amongst MT1-MMP positive breast cancer cells. [J Cell Commun Signal] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Loss in Chondrocytes after Exposure to Interleukin-1β in NADPH Oxidase-Dependent Manner

Scientists investigated the role of NADPH oxidase (NOX) isoform NOX-2 in the production and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) by chondrocytes. Although interleukin-1β lowered the mRNA expression of type II collagen and aggrecan in mouse chondrocyte-like ATDC5 cells, RNA silencing of Nox2 did not change the mRNA expression of these major components of the ECM of cartilage. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

The Peculiar Functions of the Bacterial Extracellular Matrix

The authors describe alternative functions of the extracellular matrix (ECM), highlighting how it benefits microbes beyond the biofilms. Next to protecting free-living cells, the ECM participates in signaling, migration, and genetic exchange either being freely shared with other species or being exclusive to siblings. [Trends Microbiol] Abstract

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

LifeNet Health Expands Operations in the Pacific Northwest to Include Production of ViviGen^® Cellular Bone Matrix

LifeNet Health has begun production of ViviGen^® Cellular Bone Matrix in its Northwest headquarters in Renton, Washington. ViviGen, an innovative cellular allograft developed by LifeNet Health, incorporates viable bone cells that support the healing process. [LifeNet Health] Press Release

Orthocell Announces Collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation

Regenerative medicine company Orthocell Limited announced a research collaboration agreement with DePuy Synthes Products, Inc., part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, for its Ortho-ATI^® stem cell approach for the regeneration of degenerate tendons and ligaments. [Orthocell Limited] Press Release

Children’s National and Inova Announce Three-Year, $2.8 Million Research and Education Collaboration

Children’s National Health System and Inova this week announced a new three-year, $2.8 million research and education collaboration in maternal, fetal and neonatal medicine that aims to leverage the strengths of both health care facilities to improve the health of pregnant women and their children. [Children’s National Health System] Press Release

White House Announces Review Process for Risky Virus Studies

Federal officials released a plan to help U.S. agencies decide whether to fund controversial studies that make viruses more dangerous. The guidance may finally bring an end to a moratorium that has kept a handful of experiments funded by the Department of Health and Human Services on hold for more than two years. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

US Energy Agency Strengthens Protections for Scientists

The US Department of Energy has released new guidelines to protect researchers from political interference — a move that many say is long overdue. [Nature News] Editorial

Cleveland Clinic Will Discipline Doctor Who Wrote Antivaccination Column

The Cleveland Clinic released an apology from a staff physician who published an antivaccination column on the news website Cleveland.com. The doctor, Daniel Neides, will be “appropriately disciplined,” the Ohio hospital added in its own statement, which noted that the family physician’s views do not reflect his institution’s. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposium: Adaptations to Hypoxia in Physiology and Disease
March 5-9, 2017
Whistler, Canada

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Studying the Forms and Activity of Extracellular Tau (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

NEW PhD Studentship – Light-Addressable Neuroactive Matrices (KU Leuven)

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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