Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.04 | Feb 2 2017

TOP STORY

Cellular Mechano-Environment Regulates the Mammary Circadian Clock

Scientists revealed that the breast epithelial clock is regulated by the mechano-chemical stiffness of the cellular microenvironment in primary cell culture. Moreover, the mammary clock is controlled by the periductal extracellular matrix in vivo, which contributes to a dampened circadian rhythm during ageing. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

αV-Class Integrins Exert Dual Roles on α5β1 Integrins to Strengthen Adhesion to Fibronectin

The authors quantified the adhesion of αV-class and/or α5β1 integrins expressing fibroblasts initiating attachment to fibronectin by single-cell force spectroscopy. Their data revealed that αV-class integrins outcompete α5β1 integrins. Once engaged, αV-class integrins signal to α5β1 integrins to establish additional adhesion sites to fibronectin, away from those formed by αV-class integrins. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Matrix-Regulated Integrin α_vβ₅ Maintains α₅β₁-Dependent Desmoplastic Traits Prognostic of Neoplastic Recurrence

The authors established that transforming growth factor-beta is required for self-sustaining extracellular matrix (D-ECM) production but dispensable for D-ECM-induced naïve fibroblast-to-cancer-associated fibroblast activation, which depends on α_vβ₅-integrin redistribution of pFAK-independent active α₅β₁-integrin to assorted endosomes. [eLife] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Induced DDR2 Mediates Stromal-Breast Cancer Interactions and Metastasis Growth

Scientists report that the collagen receptor discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) is essential for stromal-breast cancer (BC) communication. In human BC metastasis, DDR2 is concordantly upregulated in metastatic cancer and multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. In mesenchymal stem/multipotent stromal cells isolated from human BC metastasis, DDR2 maintains a fibroblastic phenotype with collagen deposition and induces pathological activation of DDR2 signaling in BC cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Molecular Assessment of Collagen Denaturation in Decellularized Tissues Using a Collagen Hybridizing Peptide

Researchers investigated the molecular denaturation of collagen in the extracellular matrix decellularized by four commonly used cell-removing detergents: sodium dodecyl sulfate, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate, sodium deoxycholate, and Triton X-100. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

A Combination of Low-Dose Bevacizumab and Imatinib Enhances Vascular Normalization without Inducing Extracellular Matrix Deposition

Investigators showed that low-dose vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition augmented with PDGF-R inhibition leads to superior vascular normalization without incremental extracellular matrix deposition thus maintaining access for therapy. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Efficient Adhesion Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Laminin Fragments in an Uncoated Manner

The authors described a highly effective adhesion culture of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using laminin fragments without precoating. Simple addition of laminin fragments to a cell suspension during passaging accelerated the adhesion of single dissociated hPSCs onto culture vessels that were not precoated with any culture substrate. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Droplet-Based Microtumor Model to Assess Cell-ECM Interactions and Drug Resistance of Gastric Cancer Cells

Researchers developed a microfluidic-based a three-dimensional in vitro gastric cancer model, with subsequent drug resistance assay. AGS and Hs746T gastric cancer cell lines were encapsulated in collagen beads with high cellular viability. AGS exhibited an aggregation pattern with expansive growth, whereas Hs746T showed single-cell-level infiltration. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Collagen Synthesis Disruption and Downregulation of Core Elements of TGF-β, Hippo, and Wnt Pathways in Keratoconus Corneas

Investigators found an extensive disruption of collagen synthesis and maturation pathways, as well as downregulation of the core elements of the TGF-β, Hippo, and Wnt signaling pathways influencing corneal organization. [Eur J Hum Genet] Abstract

IAPP Modulates Cellular Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Extracellular Matrix Metabolism in Human Intervertebral Disc Cells

Scientists investigated the expression of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) in degenerated inter vertebral discs tissue, and IAPP modulation of extracellular matrix metabolism in human nucleus pulposus cells, especially the crosstalk mechanism between apoptosis and autophagy in these cells. They found that the expression of IAPP and Calcr-receptor activity modifying proteins decreased considerably during intervertebral disc degeneration progression, along with the decrease in the expression of AG, BG, and Col2A1. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article

Extracellular Vesicles in Coronary Artery Disease

Investigators summarize current knowledge on the role of extracellular vesicles in coronary artery disease, and their emerging potential as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. [Nat Rev Cardiol] Abstract

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

Locate Therapeutics Deepens Development Collaboration with Heraeus Medical GmbH

Locate Therapeutics announced the deepening of a development collaboration with the innovative orthopedic company, Heraeus Medical GmbH. The new deal focuses on the use of Locate’s “state of the art” TAOS^® (Targeted, Orchestrated Signaling) scaffold technology, in new areas of orthopedic application. [Locate Therapeutics] Press Release

SpinalCyte, LLC Enrolls First Patient in Landmark Phase I Human Clinical Trial

SpinalCyte, LLC announced the enrollment of its first patient in a study for the development of CybroCell, the first dermal fibroblast cell product for treatment of degenerative disc disease. [SpinalCyte, LLC] Press Release

Antibe Therapeutics Announces the Launch of PentOS OI^™ Max, its Newest Bone Graft Substitute for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Antibe Therapeutics Inc. announced that its subsidiary Citagenix Inc. has launched PentOS OI^™ Max for the dental biologics market. PentOS OI^™ Max is the newest member of the PentOS OI^™ family of bone grafts for oral and maxillofacial surgery. [Antibe Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

NEW Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (CACMID) 2017
May 3-6, 2017
Toronto, Canada

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Transcriptional Programs and Cell-Extracellular Matrix Interactions Operative (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)

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