Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.13 | Apr 6 2017

TOP STORY

Type I Collagen–Targeted PET Probe for Pulmonary Fibrosis Detection and Staging in Preclinical Models

Scientists described a peptide-based positron emission tomography probe (⁶⁸Ga-CBP8) that targets collagen type I. They evaluated ⁶⁸Ga-CBP8 in vivo in the bleomycin-induced mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. ⁶⁸Ga-CBP8 showed high specificity for pulmonary fibrosis and high target/background ratios in diseased animals. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Promotes Myocardial Fibrosis by Mediating CD63-Integrin β1 Interaction

The authors examined the function of TIMP1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1) in myocardial fibrosis using Timp1-deficient mice and in two in vivo models of myocardial fibrosis, in vitro analysis of adult cardiac fibroblasts, and fibrotic myocardium from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Timp1 deficiency significantly reduced myocardial fibrosis in both in vivo models of cardiomyopathy. [Hypertension] Abstract

Dynamic Cellular Interactions with Extracellular Matrix Triggered by Biomechanical Tuning of Low-Rigidity, Supported Lipid Membranes

Investigators report the development of a supported lipid bilayer (SLB)-based low rigidity substrate for cell adhesion studies. SLBs were functionalized with either collagen I or fibronectin via covalent, amine coupling to a carboxyl group-modified lipid molecule. While the lipid molecules in the bilayer showed long-range lateral mobility, the covalently functionalized extracellular matrix proteins were immobile on the bilayer surface. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Aging of the Skeletal Muscle Extracellular Matrix Drives a Stem Cell Fibrogenic Conversion

Researchers investigated the direct effect of the aged muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) on muscle stem cell (MuSC) lineage specification. Quantification of ECM topology and muscle mechanical properties revealed decreased collagen tortuosity and muscle stiffening with increasing age. Age-related ECM alterations directly disrupted MuSC responses, and MuSCs seeded ex vivo onto decellularized ECM constructs derived from aged muscle displayed increased expression of fibrogenic markers and decreased myogenicity, compared to MuSCs seeded onto young ECM. [Aging Cell] Full Article

miR-146a Facilitates Osteoarthritis by Regulating Cartilage Homeostasis via Targeting Camk2d and Ppp3r2

Scientists investigated the specific function of microRNA (miR)-146a in osteoarthritis (OA) pathophysiology using mouse OA models. They found that the articular cartilage degeneration of miR-146a knockout mice was alleviated compared with that of the wild-type mice in spontaneous and instability-induced OA models. They demonstrated that miR-146a aggravated pro-inflammatory cytokines induced suppressing the expression of cartilage matrix-associated genes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Extracellular Cystatin SN and Cathepsin B Prevent Cellular Senescence by Inhibiting Abnormal Glycogen Accumulation

The authors observed that the knockdown of cystatin SN induced the activity of senescence-associated β-galactosidase, a marker of cellular senescence, and expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype genes, including interleukin-6 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20, in MDA-MB-231 and SW480 cancer cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Extracellular Vesicle-Functionalized Decalcified Bone Matrix Scaffolds with Enhanced Pro-Angiogenic and Pro-Bone Regeneration Activities

Investigators fabricated a novel extracellular vesicles (EVs)-functionalized scaffold with enhanced pro-angiogenic and pro-bone regeneration activities by coating decalcified bone matrix with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs. EVs were harvested from rat bone marrow-derived MSCs and the pro-angiogenic potential of EVs was investigated in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Unraveling the Role of Calcium Ions in the Mechanical Properties of Individual Collagen Fibrils

By using the atomic force microscopy based nanoindentation, the mechanics and structure of individual type II collagen fibrils were investigated under different calcium ions (χ_Ca) in this study. The results demonstrated that both of the mechanical and structural properties of the collagen fibril show a prominent dependence on χ_Ca. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Native Extracellular Matrix/Fibroin Hydrogels for Adipose Tissue Engineering with Enhanced Vascularization

The authors developed thick and vascularized adipose tissue constructs supporting cell viability and adipose tissue regeneration. Hydrogels were prepared by mixing rat decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) and silk fibroin at different v/v ratios and vortexing. Gelation times decreased with increasing fibroin ratio Among hydrogel groups 1:3 – DAT:Fib ratio group showed similar mechanical properties with adipose tissue. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Alterations in the Ketamine Model of Schizophrenia

Scientists verified whether abnormalities in neural extracellular matrix can be reproduced in a rat model of schizophrenia, in which animals received sub-chronic administration of ketamine to reproduce the aspects of disease related to disrupted signaling through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Their study focused on two schizophrenia-related brain areas, namely the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. [Neuroscience] Abstract

Synthetic Matrix of Polyether-Polyurethane as a Biological Platform for Pancreatic Regeneration

The authors report a polymeric platform adherent to the native mice pancreas filled with human adipose stem cells that was able to induce growth of pancreatic parenchyma. They provide evidence of the ability of a biohybrid device to induce the growth of differentiated pancreas parenchyma in both normoglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice as detected by histological analysis. [Life Sci] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Current Advances in the Development of Natural Meniscus Scaffolds: Innovative Approaches to Decellularization and Recellularization

The authors present an overview of meniscus decellularization methods and discuss their relative merits. They comparatively evaluate cell types used to repopulate decellularized scaffolds and analyze the biocompatibility of the existing experimental models. At present, acellular extracellular matrix hydrogels, as well as slices and powders, have been explored, which seems to be promising for partial meniscus regeneration. [Cell Tissue Res] Full Article

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

Biostage Presents Positive Preclincal Data of Cellspan Esophageal Implant

Biostage, Inc. presented preclinical data of its Cellspan^™ Esophageal Implant. In vitro data showed that the Cellspan implant dependably carried metabolically active cells that released bioactive molecules involved in the mesenchymal cells paracrine function. In vivo studies resulted in tissue growth that led to the reconstitution of the continuity and integrity of the esophageal tube after circumferential full thickness surgical resection. [Press release from Biostage, Inc. discussing research presented at the Society for Biomaterials 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Minneapolis] Press Release

Clinical Effectiveness of Covalon’s ColActive Plus to be Presented

Covalon Technologies Ltd. announced that a clinical case series demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of ColActive^® Plus and ColActive Plus Ag biological matrix dressings will be presented. Covalon will also be presenting its full line of advanced wound care products in the symposium’s exhibition hall, during the three-day event. [Press release from Covalon Technologies Ltd. discussing research presented at the 2017 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring, San Diego] Press Release

RepliCel’s Successful RCT-01 Tendon Repair Clinical Trial Shows Signs of Healing Chronic Tendon Problems

RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. reported compelling safety and clinical data from its Phase I/II tendon repair study investigating the use of RepliCel’s type 1 collagen-expressing, hair follicle-derived fibroblasts (RCT-01) as a treatment for Achilles tendinosis. [RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.] Press Release

Positive Results from RepliCel’s RCS-01 Phase I Skin Trial Are the Company’s Most Compelling to Date

RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. reported statistically and clinically significant positive data from the interim analysis of its Phase I study evaluating RCS-01 for the treatment of aging and sun-damaged skin. [RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.] Press Release

SpinalCyte, LLC Receives New European Patent

SpinalCyte, LLC announced the issuance of European Patent No. 1989289, “Methods and Compositions for Repair of Cartilage Using an In Vivo Bioreactor.” The technology described in the patent involves an in vivo bioreactor scaffolding for cartilage engineering and ex vivo methods of subjecting cells to stress to differentiate them into chondrocytes. [SpinalCyte, LLC (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Japanese Scientists Call for Boycott of Military Research

The Science Council of Japan, an advisory body to the cabinet, representing some 850,000 Japanese scientists, released a statement calling on scientists to boycott military research and for universities and research organizations to evaluate the threats posed by such work. [Nature News] Editorial

Initiative Aims to Break Science’s Citation Paywall

The Initiative for Open Citations (I4OC) aims to allow anyone to access science papers’ reference lists and to build analytical services on top of that raw data. Started by the Wikimedia Foundation in San Francisco, California and five other partner organizations, I4OC announced at its official launch that 29 organizations, including some of the world’s largest scientific publishers, have now agreed to openly release citation data. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Cell Contact & Adhesion
June 18-23, 2017
Andover, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Organic Bioelectronics (Northwestern University)

NEW PhD – Microsystems Technology with a Focus on Biomaterials-on-Chip (Uppsala Universitet)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Quantitative Biology of Cell Fate and Tissue Dynamics (University of Oxford)

Professors/Associate Professors/Assistant Professors – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Open Rank Professor – Materials Science and Engineering (The Pennsylvania State University)

Bioengineer I – Generation of Cellular Supply for Pre-Clinical Studies (Celgene Corporation)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cardiac Cell Membrane Expression of Ion Channels (UMR_S1166-Cardiovascular diseases, Metabolism and Nutriomics Research Unit)

Professors/Associate Professors/Assistant Professors (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Decorin and Perlecan and Their Effects on Tumor Angiogenesis, Autophagy, and Mitophagy (Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cellular Mechanobiology (University of Buffalo)

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