Extracellular Matrix News 8.05 February 9, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYThe authors established an atomic force microscopy-based assay to mechanically stimulate Piezo1 receptors in living animal cells, while monitoring receptor activation in real-time using functional calcium imaging. Their experiments showed that in the absence of extracellular matrix proteins Piezo1 receptors are relatively insensitive to mechanical forces pushing the cellular membrane, whereas they can hardly be activated by mechanically pulling the membrane. [Nano Lett] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)In Vitro Reconstitution Demonstrates the Cell Wall Ligase Activity of LCP Proteins Using wall teichoic acid (WTA) and peptidoglycan (PG) substrates produced chemoenzymatically, scientists showed that three proteins can transfer WTA precursors to nascent PGs, establishing that LytR-CpsA-Psr (LPC) proteins are PG-glycopolymer ligases. Although all Staphylococcus aureus LCP proteins have the capacity to attach WTA to PG, they showed that their cellular functions are not redundant. [Nat Chem Biol] Abstract Pepsin-digested porcine aortic adventitia (pAdv) and porcine small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds increased proliferation of human adventitia-derived endothelial cells and this effect was mediated in part by basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Human endothelial cells cultured on Matrigel substrates formed more numerous and longer tube-like structures when supplemented with pAdv ECM bioscaffolds, and FGF2 mediated this matrix signaling. [Biomaterials] Abstract Investigators introduce a three-dimensional aligned nanofibers-hydrogel scaffold as a bio-functionalized platform to provide sustained non-viral delivery of proteins and nucleic acid therapeutics, along with synergistic contact guidance for nerve injury treatment. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers established the decellularization of porcine urethras to produce acellular urethra bioscaffolds for future tissue engineering applications, using bioscaffolds or bioscaffold-derived soluble products. Cellular removal was evaluated by H&E, DAPI and DNA quantification. The presence of specific extracellular matrix proteins was assessed through immunofluorescence staining and colorimetric assay kits. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers demonstrated that the EMILIN1-α4 interaction de-activates the MAPK pathway through HRas. Epithelial cells expressing endogenous α4 integrin and persistently plated on gC1q inhibited pERK1/2 increasing HRasGTP and especially the HRasGTP ubiquitinated form. [Oncotarget] Abstract Reduction of integrin-β1 levels lead to reduced adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells to extracellular matrix component fibronectin as well as to human bone marrow cells. A reduced migration of the breast cancer cells was also observed after integrin-β1 silencing in “scratch” and “transwell” migration assays. [Macromol Biosci] Abstract The authors investigated the adipogenic properties of hydrogels of decellularized porcine adipose tissue (HDPA). HDPA induced the adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro, with significantly increased expression of adipogenic genes. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract Using neutrophil extracellular traps as an adhesion substrate, two human K562 cell lines, differentially expressing α5β1 and ανβ3 integrins, were subjected to adhesion assays in the presence or absence of DNAse 1, blocking antibodies against α5β1 or ανβ3, alone or in combination with DNAse 1, and Proteinase K. [PLoS One] Full Article Scientists present the design of the microfluidic device, characterize the hydrogels morphologically and mechanically and use quantitative image analysis to measure the migration of H1299 lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells in different experimental conditions. [PLoS One] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSThe authors summarize the role of heparanase in the development of kidney disease, and its potential as a therapeutic target. [Nat Rev Nephrol] Abstract Laminins in Epithelial Cell Polarization: Old Questions in Search of New Answers Despite significant advances, knowledge of the mechanism by which assembled laminin produces a spatial signal remains fragmentary, and much more research into the complex functions of laminin in polarization and other cellular processes is needed. [Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol] Abstract The Role of the Extracellular Matrix in Primary Myelofibrosis The authors survey extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins contributors of primary myelofibrosis (PMF), and highlights how better understanding of the control of the ECM within the bone marrow niche may lead to combined therapeutic options in PMF. [Blood Cancer J] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSZimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an expanded 26-week efficacy claim for its single-injection viscosupplement Gel-One® Cross-linked Hyaluronate for the treatment of knee pain associated with osteoarthritis. [Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.] Press Release Vericel Corporation announced the first implant of MACI® (autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) in the United States for the repair of symptomatic single or multiple full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee with or without bone involvement in adults. [Vericel Corporation] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSFrench Auditors Criticize €5-Billion Science Super-Campus Near Paris France’s government auditor has taken a sharp swipe at efforts to develop a science super-campus near Paris that, by 2020, was supposed to rival the world’s top campus universities, such as the US Massachusetts Institute of Technology. [Nature News] Editorial ‘Riskiest Ideas’ Win $50 Million from Chan Zuckerberg Biohub The biomedical research initiative created by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, physician Priscilla Chan, has awarded its first grants to scientists, on topics ranging from the genomics of obscure microbes to a memory-retrieval device. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Innovations in Cancer Research and Regenerative Medicine Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESProfessor – Molecular Biochemistry (University of Oulu) Faculty Positions – Medical Research (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile) PhD Studentship – Light-Addressable Neuroactive Matrices (KU Leuven) Postdoctoral Scientist – Various Projects (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) Tenure Track Faculty Position – Kidney Bench Research (University of Pennsylvania) 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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