Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.27 | Jul 13 2017

TOP STORY

Detection of an Integrin-Binding Mechanoswitch within Fibronectin during Tissue Formation and Fibrosis

Investigators report direct experimental evidence for the fibronectin integrin switch both in vitro and ex vivo using a scFv engineered to detect the transient, force-induced conformational change, representing an opportunity for detection and targeting of early molecular signatures of cell contractile forces in tissue repair and disease. [ACS Nano] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Instructing Cells with Programmable Peptide DNA Hybrids

Scientists describe a molecular system that can be programmed to control three ECM characteristics. In this approach they immobilize peptide-DNA molecules on a surface through complementary DNA tethers directing cells to adhere and spread reversibly over multiple cycles. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Tumor Matrix Stiffness Promotes Metastatic Cancer Cell Interaction with the Endothelium

The authors found that the matricellular protein CCN1/CYR61 is highly regulated by stiffness in endothelial cells. They showed that stiffness‐induced CCN1 activated β‐catenin nuclear translocation and signaling and that this contributed to upregulate N‐cadherin levels on the surface of the endothelium, in vitro. [EMBO J] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Loss of Mouse Cardiomyocyte Talin-1 and Talin-2 Leads to β-1 Integrin Reduction, Costameric Instability, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Scientists showed that cardiac myocytes talin (Tln) 2 is essential for proper β1D-integrin expression and that Tln1 can substitute for Tln2 in preserving heart function, but that loss of all Tln forms from the heart-muscle cell leads to myocyte instability and a dilated cardiomyopathy. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Amplification of F-Actin Disassembly and Cellular Repulsion by Growth Factor Signaling

The authors found that a recognized growth-promoting signaling pathway amplifies the F-actin disassembly and repulsive effects of a growth-preventing pathway. Focusing on Semaphorin/Plexin repulsion, they identified an interaction between the F-actin-disassembly enzyme Mical and the Abl tyrosine kinase. [Dev Cell] Abstract

tBHQ Suppresses Osteoclastic Resorption in Xenogeneic-Treated Dentin Matrix-Based Scaffolds

The impact of antioxidant, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), on xenogeneic treated dentin matrix/allogeneic dental follicle stem cells-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclastic resorption in vivo and in vitro was investigated. tBHQ upregulated heme oxygenase-1 release and downregulates high mobility group box 1 mRNA expression. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Physical Binding of Endothelial MCAM and Neural Transmembrane Protease Matriptase—Novel Cell Adhesion in Neural Stem Cell Vascular Niche

Using pull-down and LC-MS/MS, researchers identified melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM), the brain endothelial molecule that interacts with matriptase. MCAM physically binds to the CUB domains of MTP and induces a chain of brain endothelial signaling including p38MAPK activation, GSK3β inactivation and subsequently β-catenin activation; none of these signaling events occurred when either MTP or MCAM was deleted. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Tissue-Engineered Trachea from a 3D-Printed Scaffold Enhances Whole-Segment Tracheal Repair

Scientists 3D printed a biodegradable reticular polycaprolactone scaffold with similar morphology to the whole segment of rabbits’ native trachea. The 3D-printed scaffold was suspended in culture with chondrocytes for two (Group I) or four (Group II) weeks, respectively. This in vitro suspension produced a more successful reconstruction of a tissue-engineered trachea, which enhanced the overall support function of the replaced tracheal segment. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cx43– and Smad-Mediated TGF-β/ BMP Signaling Pathway Promotes Cartilage Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation

The authors investigated the influence of Cx43- and Smad-mediated TGF-β/BMP signaling pathway on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into cartilage and inhibition of ossification. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Abstract

Endothelial Glycocalyx-Mediated Nitric Oxide Production in Response to Selective AFM Pulling

Researchers utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) to apply force selectively to components of the endothelial glycocalyx layer of confluent rat fat pad endothelial cells , including proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, to observe how each component individually contributes to force-induced production of nitric oxide. [‎Biophys J] Abstract

The Extracellular Matrix of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Regenerative Medicine Platform

Scientists discuss the importance of tissue-specific ECM bioscaffolds and highlight the major advances that have been made in regenerative medicine strategies for the reconstruction of functional gastrointestinal tissues. [Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol] Abstract

Manufacturing Cell Therapies Using Engineered Biomaterials

The authors discuss the use of engineered biomaterials to control human cell manufacturing. Future work exploiting engineered biomaterials has the potential to generate manufacturing processes that produce standardized cells with well-defined critical quality attributes appropriate for clinical testing. [Trends Biotechnol] Abstract

Tensins: Bridging AMP-Activated Protein Kinase with Integrin Activation

Researchers discuss the role of tensin and AMP-activated protein kinase in the regulation of integrin activity and integrin-dependent processes and their implication in diseases such as cancer and tissue fibrosis. [Trends Cell Biol] Abstract

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

Collagen Solutions Announces First Patient Enrollment in ChondroMimetic^® Long-Term Clinical Study

Collagen Solutions plc. announced the commencement of patient enrollment into an open label extension study as part of the clinical development program for ChondroMimetic^®, an osteochondral scaffold for the repair of cartilage defects in the knee. [Collagen Solutions plc.] Press Release

InVivo Therapeutics Announces Stanford Medicine as New Site for INSPIRE Study

InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. announced that Stanford Medicine in Stanford, CA has been added as a clinical site for The INSPIRE Study: InVivo study of probable benefit of the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold^™ for safety and neurologic recovery in subjects with complete thoracic AIS a spinal cord injury. [InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp.] Press Release

GeoVax Reports Promising Results for Lassa Fever Vaccine

GeoVax Labs, Inc. announced a significant step forward in the development of a vaccine candidate for protection against Lassa hemorrhagic fever virus. [GeoVax Labs, Inc.] Press Release

US Lawmakers Seek $1.1 Billion Boost for the NIH

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) would see its budget rise by US$1.1 billion in 2018, to $35.2 billion, under a spending proposal released by lawmakers in the House of Representatives. [Nature News] Editorial

Marketing of Unproven Stem Cell–based Interventions: A Call to Action

Commercial promotion of unsupported therapeutic uses of stem cells is a global problem that has proven resistant to regulatory efforts. The authors suggest a coordinated approach at the national and international levels focused on engagement, harmonization, and enforcement to reduce the risks associated with direct-to-consumer marketing of unproven stem cell treatments. [Sci Transl Med] Editorial

NEW World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases
April 19-22, 2018
Krakow, Poland

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

NEW Master Student – Fabrication and Investigation of Nano-Bio interfaces (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST))

NEW PhD studentship – Collagen Based Scaffolds (Swansea University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cartilage Biology (University of Nebraska)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanobiology of Tissue Repair (St. Michael’s Hospital)

Pharmacology Scientist – Matrix Biology (Symic Bio, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Gene Regulation in Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration (Northwestern University)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Tissue Fibrosis (University of California, San Francisco)

Group Leaders – Multiple Areas (French National Center for Scientific Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Proteoglycan Remodeling (University of Alberta)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Extracellular Matrix News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.