Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.29 | Jul 27 2017

TOP STORY

Metabolic Control of the Scaffold Protein TKS5 in Tissue-Invasive, Proinflammatory T Cells

Scientists found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) T cells abundantly expressed the podosome scaffolding protein TKS5, which enabled them to form tissue-invasive membrane structures. TKS5 overexpression was regulated by the intracellular metabolic environment of RA T cells—specifically, by reduced glycolytic flux that led to deficiencies in ATP and pyruvate. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

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Identification of the First Dominant Mutation of LAMA5 Gene Causing a Complex Multisystem Syndrome Due to Dysfunction of the Extracellular Matrix

Investigators associated the first mutation in LAMA5 gene to a novel multisystem syndrome. A detailed characterization of a three-generation family, including clinical, biochemical, instrumental and morphological analysis, together with genetics and expression studies, was performed. [J Med Genet] Abstract

Combinatorial Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments for Probing Endothelial Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors examined the role of combinatorial ECM proteins on endothelial differentiation systematically using an arrayed microscale platform. Human pluripotent stem cells were differentiated on the arrayed ECM microenvironments for five days. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Blog Post

The Healing of Alveolar Bone Defects with Novel Bio-Implants Composed of Ad-BMP9-Transfected rDFCs and CHA Scaffolds

Investigators report that bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of rat dental follicle stem cells (rDFCs) in cell culture. The results suggest that BMP9 acted through the Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix and Integrin Expression Profiles in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Cells and Tissue Model

Primary corneal endothelial cell cultures and 3D engineered tissue models were used to study the aberrant deposition of ECM in a vision impairing pathology known as Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Silk Fiber Reinforcement Modulates In Vitro Chondrogenesis in 3D Composite Scaffolds

The potential of fiber-reinforced silk composites from mulberry and non-mulberry silk has been investigated for cartilage tissue engineering. The fabricated composites were physico-chemically characterized and analyzed for cellular viability, proliferation, extracellular matrix formation and immunocompatibility. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Identification of Prognostic Collagen Signatures and Potential Therapeutic Stromal Targets in Canine Mammary Gland Carcinoma

Scientists used second harmonic generation imaging to evaluate fibrillar collagen density, the presence of a tumor-stromal boundary, tumor associated collagen signatures and individual collagen fiber characteristics in grade I/II and grade III canine mammary tumors. Collagen density, as well as fiber width, length and straightness, were inversely correlated with patient overall survival time. [PLoS One] Full Article

Changes in the Extracellular Matrix Surrounding Human Chronic Wounds Revealed by Two-Photon Imaging

Investigators used novel two-photon imaging techniques alongside classical histology to examine biopsies from the edges of two common types of chronic wound, venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Compared to normal intact skin, they found that collagen levels were significantly reduced throughout the dermis of venous leg ulcer biopsies and DFUs, with a reduction in both fibril thickness and abundance. [Int Wound J] Abstract

Heart Regeneration in the Salamander Relies on Macrophage-Mediated Control of Fibroblast Activation and the Extracellular Landscape

Researchers showed that heart regeneration is dependent on the innate immune system, as macrophage depletion during early time points post-injury results in regeneration failure. [npj Regen Med] Full Article

Bidirectional Mechanobiology between Cells and Their Local Extracellular Matrix Probed by Atomic Force Microscopy

Scientists illustrate how atomic force microscopy has provided important insights on our current understanding of the mechanobiology of cells, ECM and cell-ECM bidirectional interactions, particularly in the context of soft acinar tissues like the mammary gland or pulmonary tissue. [Semin Cell Dev Biol] Abstract

The Role of Laminins in Cartilaginous Tissues: From Development to Regeneration

The authors delineated the expression of laminins in hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage and cartilage-like tissue throughout several developmental stages. They also examined the effect of laminins on the biological activities of chondrocytes, including adhesion, migration and survival. [Eur Cell Mater] Abstract | Full Article

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Samumed Successfully Completed 52-Week Phase II Study for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Samumed announced the successful completion of a 52-week Phase II clinical trial of its potential treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. [Samumed, LLC.] Press Release

Capricor Receives Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from FDA for CAP-1002 for Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to CAP-1002, Capricor’s development candidate for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [Capricor Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Budding UK Innovation Agency Gains Cash — and Clout

UK scientists fearful for their research funds ahead of Brexit were cheered when the government announced it would plough an extra £4.7 billion into research and development by 2020–21. But the biggest winner from the largely industry-focused cash may be a government innovation agency that is rapidly gaining clout. [Nature News] Editorial

Senate Spending Panel Would Squeeze Science Agencies but Exceed Trump Request

A Senate spending panel voted to reduce funding in 2018 below current levels for several science agencies under its jurisdiction. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Regenerative Biology and Applications: Cell Differentiation, Tissue Organization and Biomedical Engineering
October 15-19, 2017
Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Stem Cells (Duke University Medical Center)

NEW Tenure Track Position – Stem Cell Biology (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

NEW Professor/Associate Professor – Metabolomics (Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cartilage Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of Nebraska Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Systems Microscopy of Cancer Cell Migration (Karolinska Institutet)

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

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cartilage Biology (University of Nebraska)

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

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

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

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