Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.07 | Feb 23 2017

TOP STORY

Cell–Matrix Signals Specify Bone Endothelial Cells during Developmental Osteogenesis

The authors report that embryonic and early postnatal long bone contains a specialized endothelial cell subtype, termed type E, which strongly supports osteoblast lineage cells and later gives rise to other endothelial cell subpopulations. The differentiation and functional properties of bone endothelial cells require cell–matrix signaling interactions. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

A Mechanically Active Heterotypic E-Cadherin/N-Cadherin Adhesion Enables Fibroblasts to Drive Cancer Cell Invasion

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Scientists showed that CAFs exert a physical force on cancer cells that enables their collective invasion. Force transmission is mediated by a heterophilic adhesion involving N-cadherin at the CAF membrane and E-cadherin at the cancer cell membrane. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

Secretagogin-Dependent Matrix Metalloprotease-2 Release from Neurons Regulates Neuroblast Migration

Researchers demonstrated the existence of a scaffold of neurons that receive synaptic inputs within the rat, mouse, and human fetal rostral migratory stream (RMS) equivalents. These neurons expressed secretagogin, a Ca²⁺-sensor protein, to execute an annexin V-dependent externalization of matrix metalloprotease-2 for reconfiguring the extracellular matrix locally. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Stratum, a Homolog of the Human GEF Mss4, Partnered with Rab8, Controls the Basal Restriction of Basement Membrane Proteins in Epithelial Cells

In epithelial cells, a specialized pathway is dedicated to restrict the deposition of basement membrane proteins basally. The authors report the identification of a factor in this pathway, a homolog of the mammalian guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Mss4, which they have named Stratum. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Langmuir-Schaefer Film Deposition onto Honeycomb Porous Films for Retinal Tissue Engineering

Investigators focused on the development of biodegradable biomaterials with similar properties to the native Bruch’s membrane as carriers for retinal pigment epithelium cells. In particular, the breath figure method was used to create semi-permeable microporous films, which were thereafter used as the substrate for the consecutive Langmuir-Schaefer deposition of highly organized layers of collagen type I and collagen type IV. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Cartilage-Like Electrostatic Stiffening of Responsive Cryogel Scaffolds

Traditional three-dimensional environments for the culture of cells fail to display the complex physical response displayed by the natural tissue. In this work, the reproduction of the charged environment found in cartilage is achieved using polyelectrolyte hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylic acid. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Targeted Inhibition of Focal Adhesion Kinase Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis and Preserves Heart Function in Adverse Cardiac Remodeling

Scientists determined the preliminary mechanisms in regulating cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) transformation to myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix synthesis relevant to the development of adverse cardiac remolding in vivo and in vitro. Their study provides evidence that focal adhesion kinase is directly related to the activation of CF in hypoxia condition in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Biofabrication of Bundles of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Collagen Blends Mimicking the Fascicles of the Human Achille Tendon

Researchers developed electrospun bundles mimicking the architecture and mechanical properties of the fascicles of the human Achille tendon. Two different blends of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and collagen (Coll) were tested, PLLA/Coll-75/25 and PLLA/Coll-50/50, and compared with bundles of pure PLLA. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Imaging Cell-Matrix Interactions in 3D Collagen Hydrogel Culture Systems

Imaging interactions between cells and the hydrogel microenvironment is challenging because of light diffraction and poor focal depth. Investigators compared cryosectioning and vibrating microtomy methods and fixation protocols. Collagen I/III hydrogel sections were fixed with paraformaldehyde and structurally evaluated. [Macromol Biosci] Abstract

A Hyaluronan Hydrogel Scaffold-Based Xeno-Free Culture System for Ex Vivo Expansion of Human Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells

Investigators developed a hyaluronan hydrogel scaffold-based xeno-free culture system for ex vivo cultivation of human corneal epithelial stem cells. [Eye] Abstract

Architecture, Component, and Microbiome of Biofilm Involved in the Fouling of Membrane Bioreactors

Researchers investigated the structure and microbiome of fouling-related biofilms in the membrane bioreactor using non-destructive confocal reflection microscopy and high-throughput Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Direct confocal reflection microscopy indicated that the thin biofilms were formed and maintained regardless of the increasing transmembrane pressure, which is a common indicator of membrane fouling, at low organic-loading rates. [NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes] Full Article

Paxillin: A Crossroad in Pathological Cell Migration

Paxilllin is a multifunctional and multidomain focal adhesion adapter protein which serves an important scaffolding role at focal adhesions by recruiting structural and signaling molecules involved in cell movement and migration, when phosphorylated on specific Tyr and Ser residues. Upon integrin engagement with extracellular matrix, paxillin is phosphorylated at Tyr31, Tyr118, Ser188, and Ser190, activating numerous signaling cascades which promote cell migration, indicating that the regulation of adhesion dynamics is under the control of a complex display of signaling mechanisms. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article

The Minor Collagens in Articular Cartilage

Articular cartilage is a connective tissue consisting of a specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) that dominates the bulk of its wet and dry weight. Type II collagen and aggrecan are the main ECM proteins in cartilage. However, little attention has been paid to less abundant molecular components, especially minor collagens, including type IV, VI, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV, etc. [Protein Cell] Full Article

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

Flexion Therapeutics Initiates Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety of Repeat Administration of Zilretta™ (FX006) in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. reported it has enrolled the first patient in a clinical trial to evaluate the safety of repeat administration of its investigational drug candidate Zilretta in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The open-label study is expected to enroll approximately 200 patients at up to 20 clinical sites in the United States. [Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Initial Results Positive for CelGro^® in Human Nerve Regeneration

Regenerative medicine company Orthocell announced positive initial safety and tolerability results for its CelGro^® collagen-based medical device, in a clinical study examining its use to augment the repair of nerve damage. [Orthocell (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Fibrocell Announces Dosing of First Patient in Phase I/II Clinical Trial of FCX-007 Gene Therapy for Treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Fibrocell Science, Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase I portion of the Phase I/II clinical trial of FCX-007, the company’s gene therapy candidate for the treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa — a devastating, progressive genetic skin disease with a high mortality rate. [Fibrocell Science, Inc.] Press Release

Firing of Veteran NIH Scientist Prompts Protests over Publication Ban

At least two dozen junior and senior researchers are stuck in scientific limbo after being barred from publishing data collected over a 25-year period at a National Institutes of Health (NIH) lab. The unusual ban follows the firing last summer of veteran neurologist Allen Braun by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders for what many scientists have told Science are relatively minor, if widespread, violations of his lab’s experimental protocol. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Why British Universities Are Unlikely to Accept Invitation to Set up Campuses in France

A consortium of academic institutes near Paris is hoping to lure British universities to create research campuses in France, dangling as bait the possibility of access to European Union research funds after Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT)
May 10-13, 2017
Washington, United States

NEW American Thoracic Society (ATS)
May 19-24, 2017
Washington, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cellular Mechanobiology (University of Buffalo)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Role of Extracellular Matrix Proteolysis (University of California, San Francisco)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Various Projects (University of Missouri Biomedical Sciences)

PhD Position – Molecular Studies of Bacterial Amyloid Secretion (VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology)

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)

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