Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.20 | May 25 2017

TOP STORY

Shifting the Optimal Stiffness for Cell Migration

Scientists present a cell migration simulator that predicts a stiffness optimum that can be shifted by altering the number of active molecular motors and clutches. This prediction was verified experimentally by comparing cell traction and F-actin retrograde flow for two cell types with differing amounts of active motors and clutches: embryonic chick forebrain neurons and U251 glioma cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article

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Integrin-Linked Kinase Signaling Promotes Cyst Growth and Fibrosis in Polycystic Kidney Disease

Periostin promotes cell proliferation, cyst growth, interstitial fibrosis, and the decline in renal function in polycystic kidney disease mice. Researchers investigated the regulation of these processes by the integrin-linked kinase, a scaffold protein that links the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton and is stimulated by periostin. [J Am Soc Nephrol] Abstract

The Matrix Protein Tiggrin Regulates Plasmatocyte Maturation in Drosophila Larva

Scientists report that Tiggrin, a matrix protein expressed in the lymph gland, is a specific regulator of plasmatocyte maturation. Tiggrin mutants exhibited precocious maturation of plasmatocytes, while Tiggrin overexpression blocked this process, resulting in a buildup of intermediate progenitors expressing prohemocyte and hemocyte markers. [Development] Abstract

TRPV4 Mediates the Calcium Influx Required for Flightless-Non-Muscle Myosin Interaction and Collagen Remodeling

Investigators examined how Ca²⁺ controls the generation of cell extensions and collagen remodeling. They found that Ca²⁺ influx through transient receptor potential vanilloid-4 (TRPV4) channels regulates flightless I with non-muscle myosin IIA interactions, which in turn enabled the generation of the cell extensions essential for collagen remodeling. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Expression and Characterization of Membrane-Type 4 Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT4-MMP) and Its Different Forms in Melanoma

Researchers analyzed several human cancer cell lines as well as tissue homogenates using Western blotting and quantitative PCR for the expression of MT4-MMP. They found the MT4-MMP highly expressed in human melanoma cell lines as well as skin and melanoma tissue samples. Three forms of MT4-MMP with molecular masses of 45 kDa, 58 kDa and 69 kDa were detected. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Matrix Replenishing by BMSCs Is Beneficial for Osteoarthritic Temporomandiblar Joint Cartilage

Investigators explored whether matrix replenishment is the primary requirement for osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. They found that scavenging the degraded matrix and replenishing the fibrosis-developmental matrix were the primary requirements for the repair of OA cartilage. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage] Abstract

Yersinia Pestis YopK Inhibits Bacterial Adhesion to Host Cells by Binding to the Extracellular Matrix Adaptor Protein Matrilin-2

Researchers demonstrated that Yersinia outer protein K (YopK) inhibits bacterial adherence to host cells by binding to the extracellular matrix adaptor protein matrilin-2 (MATN2). YopK bound to MATN2 and deleted the amino acids 91–124 disrupting binding of YopK to MATN2. [Infect Immun] Abstract

Glycated Collagen Stimulates the Differentiation of Gingival Myofibroblasts

Scientists evaluated whether collagen glycation by methylglyoxal may affect the phenotypic properties and remodeling capacity of human gingival fibroblasts. Methylgloxal-treated collagen did not affect cell viability or apoptosis. In addition, methylglyoxal did not induce significant changes in the morphology or mechanical properties of the collagen matrix. [J Periodontol] Abstract

Exogenous Proline Stimulates Type I Collagen and HIF-1α Expression and the Process Is Attenuated by Glutamine in Human Skin Fibroblasts

The authors investigated whether proline (Pro) supply affects collagen biosynthesis in human skin fibroblasts. Treatment of the cells with millimolar concentrations of Pro for 24 and 48 hours contributed to increase in α₁ subunit of collagen type I expression in both cells and culture medium. However, the effect was more pronounced in glutamine-free medium. [Mol Cell Biochem] Full Article

Cell Type–Specific Extracellular Matrix Guided the Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in 3D Polymeric Scaffolds

Scientists established a series of three-dimensional (3D) composite scaffolds containing extracellular matrices (ECMs) derived from different primary cells isolated from a single animal species and assessed their impact on the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Their results showed that ECM derived from chondrocytes cultured in synthetic fiber mats promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of hMSC in the presence or absence of soluble inducing factors. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

New Intracellular Activities of Matrix Metalloproteinases Shine in the Moonlight

The authors highlight current knowledge of subcellular location and activity of “moonlighting” matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Intracellular roles herald a new era of MMP research, rejuvenating interest in targeting these proteases in therapeutic strategies. [BBA Mol Cell Res] Abstract

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Spheroids of Human Autologous Matrix-Associated Chondrocytes

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for the medicinal product Spherox, intended for the repair of certain cartilage defects of the knee. [European Medicines Agency] Press Release

Catalent Biologics Announces Collaboration with Therachon, Switzerland, to Advance Clinical Development of Innovative Protein Therapy for Achondroplasia

Catalent Pharma Solutions announced that it has signed an agreement with Therachon AG to support preclinical and clinical development of TA-46, a novel protein addressing achondroplasia, which is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. [Catalent Pharma Solutions] Press Release

FDA Approves First Cancer Treatment for Any Solid Tumor with a Specific Genetic Feature

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to a treatment for patients whose cancers have a specific genetic feature (biomarker). This is the first time the agency has approved a cancer treatment based on a common biomarker rather than the location in the body where the tumor originated. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release | Editorial

Fund to Curb Outbreaks and Chronic Disease on the Chopping Block

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stands to lose 12% of its budget through proposed cuts in the American Health Care Act. [Nature News] Editorial

Colombian Biologist Cleared of Criminal Charges for Posting Another Scientist’s Thesis Online

A Colombian biologist who faced a criminal trial for posting another scientist’s thesis online has been cleared of copyright violation — an offence that, under Colombian law, might have brought him a jail sentence. [Nature News] Editorial

Academies Calculate How Much Brexit Will Cost U.K. Researchers

Some academic fields in the United Kingdom (U.K.) will have major funding holes to fill once the country leaves the European Union, according to new research commissioned by four U.K. academies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Vaccine Could Soon Be Enlisted in the Fight against Ebola in the DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has moved a step closer to using an unlicensed vaccine to battle an Ebola outbreak that began last month in a remote northeastern part of the country. The country’s government submitted a formal vaccine trial protocol, developed with Epicentre, the Paris-based research arm of Doctors Without Borders, to an ethical review board. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW Advances in Modeling Cancer in Mice: Technology, Biology, and Beyond
September 24-27, 2017
Orlando, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Proteoglycan Remodeling (University of Alberta)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – GPCR and Wnt Signaling (Yale School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Tendon and Connective Tissue Biology (Weill Cornell Medical College)

Project Research Scientist – Tumor Cell Biology (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Associate – Molecular and Cell Biology (Stony Brook University)

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

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)

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