Extracellular Matrix News 8.15 April 20, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYLysyl Oxidase Drives Tumor Progression by Trapping EGF Receptors at the Cell Surface Researchers showed that lysyl oxidase regulates epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor cell surface retention to drive tumor progression. They validated the therapeutic potential of inhibiting this pathway with the small molecule inhibitor CCT365623. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Integrin Extension Enables Ultrasensitive Regulation by Cytoskeletal Force Integrins undergo large-scale conformational changes upon activation. The authors examined whether binding of cytoskeletal adaptors to integrin cytoplasmic domains is sufficient for activation or whether exertion of tensile force by the actin cytoskeleton across the integrin–ligand complex is also required. They found that only the combination of adaptor binding and cytoskeletal force provides ultrasensitive regulation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Smurf1 Inhibits Integrin Activation by Controlling Kindlin-2 Ubiquitination and Degradation Scientists demonstrated that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Smurf1 controls the amount of Kindlin-2 protein in cells and hinders integrin activation. Smurf1 selectively mediated degradation of Kindlin-2 but not Talin, leading to the inhibition of αIIbβ3 integrin activation in Chinese hamster ovary cells and β1 integrin activation in fibroblasts. [J Cell Biol] Abstract Researchers showed that an extracellular protein released by glioblastoma cells, fibulin-3, drives oncogenic nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the tumor and increases NF-κB activation in peritumoral astrocytes. They found that fibulin-3 activates the metalloprotease ADAM17 by competing with its endogenous inhibitor, TIMP3. This resulted in sustained release of soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha by ADAM17, which in turn activated TNF receptors and canonical NF-κB signaling. [Oncogene] Abstract Investigators showed that inhibition of vascular-associated matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp) 2 function caused accumulation of fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix (ECM), retention of runx1/cmyb+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in the ventral wall of the dorsal aorta, and delayed caudal hematopoietic tissue colonization; these defects were absent in fibronectin mutants, indicating that Mmp2 facilitates endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition via ECM remodeling. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract The authors aimed to determine NPNT’s role in physiological and pathological aldosterone production. NPNT was identified by immunohistochemistry as a secreted matrix protein expressed exclusively around aldosterone-producing glomeruli in normal adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) and in aldosterone-dense ZG-like aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs); the highest expression was in ZG-like APAs with gain-of-function CTNNB1 mutations, whose removal cured hypertension in the patients. [Hypertension] Abstract | Full Article (Download) Scientists determined whether matrix metalloproteinase-8 is involved in the tight junction protein degradation in endothelial cells and determined its role in the neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract To understand the regulatory role of Oct4A in tumor biology, researchers employed the use of an ovarian cancer shRNA Oct4A knockdown cell line (HEY Oct4A KD) and a global mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis to investigate novel biological targets of Oct4A in HEY samples. Across all preparations of HEY Oct4A KD samples they observed significant alterations in protein networks associated with cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, proliferation, adhesion, metabolism, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells and drug resistance. [Sci Rep] Full Article The authors proved that, when applied to aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cell lines with unique stem-like plasticity, the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) CL4 aptamer, but not erlotinib or cetuximab, prevents the vasculogenic mimicry capability of the cells and destroys previously formed channels in three-dimensional culture. They found that CL4 impairs the matrix-induced integrin αvβ3 interaction with EGFR and integrin αvβ3-dependent cell adhesion. [Sci Rep] Full Article The authors investigated the effect of a scaffold/umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) construct on collagen degradation and functional regeneration in rat uterine scars following full-thickness excision of uterine walls. The scaffold/UC-MSCs group exhibited obvious collagen degradation compared with the other three groups. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSThe authors review the role of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) expansion by first detailing the decellularization methods that have been used to produce the dECM substrates; discussing the shortcomings of current decellularization methods; describing the improved MSC characteristics obtained when the cells are cultured on these surfaces; and considering the effect of the passage number, age of donor, and dECM preparation method on the quality of the dECM. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Researchers strive to broaden the scope of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering approaches used for cartilage repair by comparing and contrasting the anatomical and functional nature of the meniscus, articular cartilage and nucleus pulposus. They outline the importance of understanding these three tissues as unique entities, providing a comparative analysis of anatomy, ultrastructure, biochemistry and function for each tissue. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSEnanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced new data from its lead Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) agonist candidate EDP-305 for NASH and PBC. Data from three poster presentations will demonstrate that EDP-305 is a potent FXR agonist that has been shown to reduce expression of fibrogenic genes, reduce fibrosis progression and improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity scores in a variety of preclinical models. [Press release from Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research to be presented at The International Liver Congressâ„¢ (ILC) 2017, Amsterdam] Press Release RXi Pharmaceuticals to Present an Update on its Consumer Product Development Programs RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it will present new data from the company’s consumer product development program, based on its proprietary self-delivering RNAi technology . [Press release from RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation discussing research to be presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) 76th Annual Meeting, Portland] Press Release miRagen Therapeutics to Present MRG-201 Data Miragen Therapeutics, Inc. announced that interim results from its ongoing Phase I clinical study of MRG-201 will be presented. [Press release from Miragen Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) 76th Annual Meeting, Portland] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSBristol-Myers Squibb and Nordic Bioscience Announce Collaboration for Fibrosis Biomarker Technology Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Nordic Bioscience announced a collaboration agreement to develop biomarker technology to potentially aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of fibrotic diseases including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release CytRx Corporation announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reached an agreement with CytRx on preparations for a New Drug Application submission for aldoxorubicin in soft tissue sarcomas. [CytRx Corporation] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSWhat a Surprise General Election Could Mean for HE Theresa May’s plan to hold a general election on the 8th of June raises implications for universities in terms of whether the Higher Education (HE) and Research Bill can continue, the vote’s status as the “Brexit election”, and the expected emergence of Labor’s plan to scrap tuition fees. [Times Higher Education] Editorial French-Election Fears Unite Scientists in Defense of Liberal Democracy For scientists in France, the presidential contest is often a chance to debate research and science-related issues. When Nicolas Sarkozy was elected a decade ago, for example, university reforms and environmental policy featured prominently in the campaigns. But this time, science has barely been mentioned — elbowed out by political scandals and the rise of Marine Le Pen’s far-right Front National party. [Nature News] Editorial Republican Scientists Negotiate the Trump Era Conservative academics face a growing tension between their politics and the liberal atmosphere on many US campuses. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Gordon Research Conferences: Cell Growth & Proliferation Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Biomaterials Scientist – Tissue Engineering (VitroLabs Inc.) Research Fellow – Functional Roles of Stem Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles (Mayo Clinic) Postdoctoral Fellow – Scarring (SUNY Upstate Medical Center) Postdoctoral Position – Organic Bioelectronics (Northwestern University) Open Rank Professor – Materials Science and Engineering (The Pennsylvania State University) Professors/Associate Professors/Assistant Professors (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cellular Mechanobiology (University of Buffalo) 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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Home Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.15 | Apr 20 2017