Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.30 | Aug 3 2017

TOP STORY

The Extracellular Metalloprotease AdamTS-A Anchors Neural Lineages in Place within and Preserves the Architecture of the Central Nervous System

Expressed and active in surface glia, AdamTS-A acts in parallel to perlecan and in opposition to viking/collagen IV and βPS-integrin to keep CNS lineages rooted in place and to preserve the structural integrity of the CNS. [Development] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Delivery of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor via a Customized Collagen Scaffold Promotes Meniscal Defect Regeneration in a Rabbit Model

Scientists demonstrated that conditional epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) deletion in mice resulted in increased partial meniscectomy-induced ECM production within the meniscus, which is comparable to utilization of the small molecule EGFR inhibitor, gefitinib, to block EGFR activity. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Extracellular Hyaluronic Acid Influences the Efficacy of EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in a Biomaterial Model of Glioblastoma

Hyaluronic acid decorated methacrylamide-functionalized gelatin hydrogels were used to examine the synergies between microenvironmental factors and a model epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor using patient-derived xenograft cells. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

DDR2 Controls the Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition-Related Gene Expression via c-Myb Acetylation upon Matrix Stiffening

Researchers showed that expression levels of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker genes along with discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) can increase upon matrix stiffening. DDR2 silencing by short hairpin RNA downregulated EMT markers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Mechanically Stable Fibrin Scaffolds Promote Viability and Induce Neurite Outgrowth in Neural Aggregates Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Scientists showed that genipin enhances neuronal differentiation of neural progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells in 2D culture and genipin concentration influences the morphological and mechanical properties of 3D fibrin scaffolds. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Functionalization of Porous BCP Scaffold by Generating Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix from Rat Bone Marrow Stem Cells Culture for Bone Tissue Engineering

Researchers investigated the cell biocompatibility and osteogenic effect of decellularized ECM deposited scaffolds (dECM-biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP)) scaffolds using preosteoblasts. Compared to bare BCP scaffolds, dECM-BCP freeze-thaw scaffolds showed improved cell attachment and proliferation based on immunofluorescence staining and WST assay. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

The In-Silico Zebrafish Matrisome: A New Tool to Study Extracellular Matrix Gene and Protein Functions

Investigators sought to characterize the zebrafish matrisome using an in-silico gene-orthology-based approach. They report the identification of 1002 genes encoding the in-silico zebrafish matrisome. Using independent validations, they provide evidence for the robustness of the orthology-based approach. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Mitochondrial Function in Engineered Cardiac Tissues Is Co-Regulated by Extracellular Matrix Elasticity and Tissue Alignment

The authors indicated that parameters associated with baseline metabolism are predominantly regulated by ECM elasticity, whereas the ability of tissues to adapt to metabolic stress is regulated by both ECM elasticity and tissue alignment. [Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol] Abstract

β3 Integrin Expression Is Required for Invadopodia-Mediated ECM Degradation in Lung Carcinoma Cells

Scientists demonstrated that lung carcinoma cells form invadopodia in response to TGF-β exposure. Invadopodia formation and degradation activity was dependent on β3 integrin expression since β3 integrin deficient cells were not able to degrade gelatin-coated surfaces. [PLoS One] Full Article

Role of the Extracellular Matrix-Located Mac-2 Binding Protein as an Interactor of the Wnt Proteins

Researchers expressed epitope-tagged Wnt4 in HEK293 cells, and identified Mac-2 binding protein (Mac-2BP) as its binding partner in the serum-free conditioned medium. Serine-to-alanine substitution at the conserved fatty acid-conjugation site did not affect Mac-2BP binding. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Brain Extracellular Space: The Final Frontier of Neuroscience

Brain extracellular space is the narrow microenvironment that surrounds every cell of the central nervous system. It contains a solution that closely resembles cerebrospinal fluid with the addition of extracellular matrix molecules. The space provides a reservoir for ions essential to the electrical activity of neurons and forms an intercellular chemical communication channel. [Biophys J] Abstract

New Insights into the Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Preeclampsia

The authors gathered published recent evidence about the implications of different matrix metalloproteinases in preeclampsia, and the potential use of these enzymes as emergent biomarkers and biological therapeutic targets, focusing on studies involving human subjects. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

MiMedx Initiates Phase III Plantar Fasciitis Clinical Trial

MiMedx Group, Inc. announced that the company has initiated its Phase III Plantar Fasciitis clinical study. [MiMedx Group, Inc.] Press Release

MiMedx Reports Exceptional Results in Phase IIB Clinical Trial on the Use of AmnioFix^® Injectable in the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

MiMedx Group, Inc. announced that it has closed enrollment in the company’s Plantar Fasciitis Investigational New Drug (IND) Phase IIB trial in accordance with an amendment filed with the FDA. [MiMedx Group, Inc.] Press Release

Iranian Scientist to Go on Trial for Espionage

An Iranian disaster-medicine researcher who was sent to prison in April 2016 is due to go to trial, on charges of “collaboration with a hostile government”. Ahmadreza Djalali has been warned by the Iranian court that he may be facing a death sentence, according to his wife, Vida Mehrannia. [Nature News] Editorial

Jordan Stakes Its Future on Science

Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan successfully lured the high-profile biennial conference to the Middle East for the first time — part of Jordan’s ongoing push to transform itself into a regional research powerhouse. The country hopes to emphasize the power of science to transcend politics and war in the increasingly volatile Middle East. [Nature News] Editorial

After French Drug Trial Tragedy, European Union Issues New Rules to Protect Study Volunteers

The European Medicines Agency has issued new, stricter rules for studies that test drugs in people for the first time. They aim to better protect participants in such first-in-human studies—often healthy volunteers who receive a financial reward. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

University of Tokyo Probe Says Chromosome Team Doctored Images

After a nearly year-long investigation into anonymous allegations of data and image falsification in numerous papers, a University of Tokyo committee announced it had confirmed that one research group falsified images and graphs in five papers. The panel cleared five other research groups of wrongdoing. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Why Would a University Pay a Scientist Found Guilty of Misconduct to Leave?

In June 2016, investigators at the University of Georgia in Athens concluded that Azza El-Remessy, a faculty member who studied the impact of diabetes on the eye, had committed misconduct and recommended she be terminated. El-Remessy hired a lawyer to dispute the findings, but the following October she gave up her challenge after the university paid her $100,000—essentially to leave. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets & Cancer Therapeutics
November 5-9, 2017
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researchers – Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance (Tufts University)

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

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

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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