Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.03 | Jan 26 2017

TOP STORY

Tmem2 Regulates Embryonic Vegf Signaling by Controlling Hyaluronic Acid Turnover

In a forward genetic screen, scientists identified angiogenesis defects in tmem2 zebrafish mutants that lack both arterial and venous vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf)/Vegfr/Erk signaling. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Heparan Sulfates Support Pyramidal Cell Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity, and Context Discrimination

Acute enzymatic digestion of heparan sulfate (HS) side chains was used to uncover how HSs support hippocampal function in vitro and in vivo. Scientists found that long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission at CA3–CA1 Schaffer collateral synapses was impaired after removal of highly sulfated HSs with heparinase 1. [Cereb Cortex] Abstract

Alpha-Enolase (ENO1) Controls Alpha v/Beta 3 Integrin Expression and Regulates Pancreatic Cancer Adhesion, Invasion, and Metastasis

Researchers observed a significant increase in the roughness of the cell membrane due to ENO1 silencing, a feature associated with an impaired ability to migrate and invade, along with a significant downregulation of proteins involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, including alpha v/beta 3 integrin in ENO1-silenced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article

Differential Structural Remodeling of Heparan Sulfate by Chemokines: The Role of Chemokine Oligomerization

Chemokine oligomerization is thought to enhance their affinity for glycosaminoglycans, and investigators showed that it significantly affects the ability of chemokines to accumulate on and be retained by heparan sulfate. [Open Biol] Full Article

Mechanosensation across Borders: Fibroblasts inside a Macroporous Scaffold Sense and Respond to Mechanical Environment beyond the Scaffold Walls

The authors investigated how fibroblasts in a soft macroporous biomaterial scaffold respond to distinct mechanical environments while they form microtissues. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Heparin Cross-Linked Collagen Sponge Scaffolds Improve Functional Regeneration of Rat Tracheal Epithelium

To achieve rapid tracheal epithelial regeneration, a heparin cross-linked collagen sponge containing fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) was prepared as a graft for tracheal reconstruction. The heparin cross-linked sponge exhibited a high FGF-2 retaining capacity, and tracheal epithelial and mesenchymal cells cultured in this sponge containing FGF-2 showed high proliferative capacities. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Fibronectin Fibrils Regulate TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Investigators demonstrated that inhibition of fibronectin fibrillogenesis blocks activation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway via Smad2 signaling, decreases cell migration and ultimately leads to inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

The Multimerization State of the Amyloid-β₄₂ Amyloid Peptide Governs Its Interaction Network with the Extracellular Matrix

Researchers attempted to identify the interactions of amyloid-β (Aβ)42 under monomeric, oligomeric, and fibrillar forms with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and receptors, to determine the influence of Aβ42 supramolecular organization on these interactions, and to identify the molecular functions, biological processes, and pathways targeted by Aβ42 in the ECM. [J Alzheimers Dis] Abstract

Biomarkers of Extracellular Matrix Turnover Are Associated with Emphysema and Eosinophilic-Bronchitis in COPD

The authors investigated the lung extracellular matrix remodeling in healthy controls and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the COPDGene study. [Respir Res] Full Article

The Promoting Effect of the Extracellular Matrix Peptide TNIIIA2 Derived from Tenascin-C in Colon Cancer Cell Infiltration

Researchers investigated the effect of tenascin C (TNC)/TNIIIA2 on the invasion and metastasis of colon cancer cells, Colon26-M3.1, or PMF-Ko14, using an in vitro and in vivo experimental system. The degree of cell invasion was increased by the addition of TNC and TNIIIA2 in a dose-dependent manner. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Post Implantation Fate of Adipogenic Induced Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Type I Collagen Scaffold in a Rat Model

Investigators attempted to determine the fate of donor cells and the implant in recipient micro environment using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on a type I collagen sponge, an established scaffold for adipose tissue engineering. Cell components within the construct were identified 21 days post implantation to delineate cell survival, proliferation & terminal roles in vivo. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

Niche Extracellular Matrix Components and their Influence on HSC

The authors discuss how the different extracellular matrix components of the bone marrow niche regulate hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) fate, both during embryonic development and in adulthood. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Innate Immune Cytokines, Fibroblast Phenotypes, and Regulation of Extracellular Matrix in Lung

The author suggests that STAT3-activating gp130 cytokines can sensitize fibroblasts to the innate cytokine milieu to drive phenotypes and exacerbate existing adaptive responses. They review evidence exploring innate cytokine regulation of fibroblast behavior. [J Interferon Cytokine Res] Abstract

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

Griffith University Scientist Named Australian of the Year

Emeritus Professor Alan Mackay-Sim has been honored as this year’s Australian of the Year recipient. The retired biomedical scientist, whose ground-breaking stem-cell research was instrumental in helping a paralyzed man walk again, accepted the prestigious award during a live announcement at Parliament House in Canberra on Australia Day eve. [Griffith University] Press Release

Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi Named Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine

Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, an internationally renowned physician-scientist in the field of lung disease, has been named the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University’s provost for medical affairs. [Weill Cornell Medicine] Press Release

World’s Foremost Institute on Death and Disease Metrics Gets Massive Cash Boost

The world’s premier centre for health metrics — the science of measuring and analyzing global health problems, and how they relate to healthcare and biomedical research funding — will receive a US$279-million cash injection from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The cash will go towards expanding the institute’s work over the next decade and consolidating its primacy in the field. It is considered by far the biggest and most influential research centre for health metrics, and its work informs the funding and policy decisions of many national governments and local, regional and global organizations, including the World Bank and the US National Institutes of Health. [Nature News] Editorial

What Trump’s Nominees Have Said About Science at Their Senate Hearings

This is the third week of U.S. Senate hearings on President Donald Trump’s nominees to his Cabinet. The nominees that senators have heard from include representative Tom Price, the nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, the parent agency of the National Institutes of Health. His opening statement included a nod to biomedical research at the department of Health and Human Services. Price says he will support science-based policies, rejects vaccine-autism and abortion–breast cancer links. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Advances in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
May 23-26, 2017
Heidelberg, Germany

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Scientist – Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions (University of Michigan)

Professor – Molecular Biochemistry (University of Oulu)

Faculty Positions – Medical Research (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile)

PhD Studentship/Postdoctoral Fellow – Design and Fabrication of Clinically Relevant Polymer-Based Stents for Chronic Rhinosinusitis (University of Gent and Free University Brussels)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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