Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.16 | Apr 27 2017

TOP STORY

Floor-Plate-Derived Netrin-1 Is Dispensable for Commissural Axon Guidance

The authors selectively ablated netrin-1 expression in floor-plate cells using a Ntn1 conditional knockout mouse line. They found that hindbrain and spinal cord commissural axons developed normally in the absence of floor-plate-derived netrin-1. These results show that the classical view that attraction of commissural axons is mediated by a gradient of floor-plate-derived netrin-1 is inaccurate and that netrin-1 primarily acts locally by promoting growth cone adhesion. [Nature] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Local Clearance of Senescent Cells Attenuates the Development of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis and Creates a Pro-Regenerative Environment

Scientists used the p16-3MR transgenic mouse as well as a truncated form of herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase to test the idea that senescent cells (SnCs) may play a causative role in osteoarthritis (OA). They found that SnCs accumulated in the articular cartilage and synovium after anterior cruciate ligament transection, and selective elimination of these cells attenuated the development of post-traumatic OA, reduced pain and increased cartilage development. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

Glycosaminoglycan-Based Hydrogels Capture Inflammatory Chemokines and Rescue Defective Wound Healing in Mice

Researchers customized a modular hydrogel based on end-functionalized star-shaped polyethylene glycol and derivatives of the glycosaminoglycan heparin for maximal chemokine sequestration. The material effectively scavenged the inflammatory chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-8, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β in wound fluids from patients suffering from chronic venous leg ulcers and reduced the migratory activity of human monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Klf5 Mediates Odontoblastic Differentiation through Regulating Dentin-Specific Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression during Mouse Tooth Development

The authors identified Klf5 as an activator of Dmp1 and Dspp gene transcriptions by different mechanisms and demonstrated that Klf5 plays a pivotal role in odontoblast differentiation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Gelatin-Albumin Hybrid Nanoparticles as Matrix Metalloproteinases-Degradable Delivery Systems for Breast Cancer Therapy

Investigators developed matrix metalloproteinase-responsive gelatin-albumin hybrid nanoparticles encapsulating a selective tropomyosin receptor kinase A inhibitor GNF-5837 (Gel-Alb-GNF HNPs) and demonstrated their anticancer effects in breast cancer. Gel-Alb-GNF HNPs displayed excellent stability and matrix metalloproteinase-triggered drug release. [Nanomedicine (Lond)] Abstract

Acute Hypoxia Influences Collagen and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression by Human Keratoconus Cells In Vitro

Researchers investigated the effects of hypoxia on extracellular matrix secretion, assembly, and matrix metalloproteinase expression in human corneal fibroblasts from healthy controls (HCFs) and keratoconus patients (HKCs) in vitro. HCFs and HKCs were cultured in three dimensional constructs for three weeks and maintained or transferred to normoxic or hypoxic conditions, respectively, for one additional week. This study showed that hypoxia influences collagen and matrix metalloproteinase expression. [PLoS One] Full Article

Bone Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Enhances Osteogenic Differentiation of C2C12 Myoblasts and Mouse Primary Calvarial Cells

Scientists evaluated the osteogenic potential of extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels prepared from demineralized and decellularized bovine bone in the presence and absence of osteogenic medium. Bone ECM hydrogels stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 and mouse primary calvarial cells even in the absence of osteogenic medium. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Characterization of Decellularized Ovine Small Intestine Submucosal Layer as Extracellular Matrix-Based Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

Researchers decellularized ovine SIS (OSIS) and evaluated its physical, chemical, and morphological properties. Results revealed satisfactory decellularization of OSIS. Mechanical properties, structural form, and glycosaminoglycan contents were preserved in all the decellularized groups. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Modulation of MMP-2 and -9 Secretion by Cytokines, Inducers and Inhibitors in Human Melanoma A-2058 Cells

The authors investigated the roles of various cytokines, mitogens, growth factors, inducers and inhibitors in regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in human melanoma A-2058 cells. Their results showed that select cytokines, mitogens and inhibitors modulated A-2058 MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Collagenous Extracellular Matrix Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering: Lessons from the Common Sea Urchin Tissue

The authors provide the latest insights, as well as identify technical challenges and opportunities, that may be useful for developing methods for effective mechanical support when adapting decellularized connective tissues from the sea urchin for tissue engineering or for the design of a synthetic analogue. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

DiFusion Inc. Announces Breakthrough SMART Biomaterial Platform

DiFusion announced the completion of a series of in vitro tests and in vivo studies that validate the efficacy of its new SMART polymer platform with multiple breakthrough applications. [Press release from DiFusion Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research to be presented at the 3^rd International PEEK meeting, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

Bristol-Myers Squibb’s BMS-986036 (Pegylated FGF21) Shows Consistent Improvement in Liver Fat, Liver Injury and Fibrosis in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) in Phase II Trial

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced data from a Phase II study of BMS-986036, an investigational pegylated analogue of human fibroblast growth factor 21, in patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH. The study achieved its primary endpoint of significant reduction in liver fat versus placebo. [Press release from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discussing research presented at The International Liver Congress™ (ILC) 2017, Amsterdam] Press Release

HitGen Announces Drug Discovery Collaboration with the Scripps Research Institute and the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr)

HitGen Ltd. announced a collaboration with the Scripps Research Institute and its affiliate, the Calibr. This collaboration is to discover and develop potential new therapies in areas of unmet clinical need, with an initial focus in oncology, regenerative medicine and virology. [The Scripps Research Institute] Press Release

3D Systems and United Therapeutics Announce Bioprinting Agreement

3D Systems and United Therapeutics Corporation announced plans to develop solid-organ scaffolds for human transplants. The multi-year collaboration and development agreement combines the 3D printing and precision healthcare expertise of 3D Systems with the regenerative medicine and organ manufacturing capabilities of United Therapeutics. [United Therapeutics Corporation] Press Release

BioRxiv Preprint Server Gets Cash Boost from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

BioRxiv announced that it will begin receiving “significant” financial support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic effort started by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his physician wife Priscilla Chan. [Nature News] Editorial

California’s $3-Billion Bet on Stem Cells Faces Final Test

When California voters approved US$3 billion in funding for stem-cell research in 2004, biologists flocked to the state, and citizens dreamed of cures for Parkinson’s disease and spinal-cord injuries. Now, the pot of money — one of the biggest state investments in science — is running dry before treatments have emerged, raising questions about whether Californians will pour billions more into stem-cell research. [Nature News] Editorial

NSF’s Uphill Road to Making Prestigious Early Career Award More Diverse

Only five women have won the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) annual Alan T. Waterman Award in its 41-year history, and no woman of color has ever been selected. The 2017 winners announced this month mark the 13^th year in a row that the $1 million research prize has gone to a man (two, actually, including the second black scientist ever chosen.) [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Collagen
July 16-21, 2017
New London, United States

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

NEW PhD Position – Extracellular Matrix in Cancer Progression (University of Copenhagen)

NEW PhD Position – P2X7 Receptors in Cancer Cells (University of East Anglia)

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)

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)

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)

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