Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.33 | Aug 24 2017

TOP STORY

Hydrogels with Precisely Controlled Integrin Activation Dictate Vascular Patterning and Permeability

In vitro, α3/α5β1 scaffolds promoted endothelial cells to sprout and branch, forming organized extensive networks that eventually reached and anastomosed with neighbouring branches. In vivo, α3/α5β1 scaffolds delivering vascular endothelial growth factor promoted non-tortuous blood vessel formation and non-leaky blood vessels by ten days post-stroke. [Nat Mater] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Membrane-Free Culture and Real-Time Barrier Integrity Assessment of Perfused Intestinal Epithelium Tubes

Investigators introduced extracellular matrix-supported intestinal tubules in perfused microfluidic devices, exhibiting tissue polarization and transporter expression. Forty leak-tight tubules were cultured in parallel on a single plate and their response to pharmacological stimuli was recorded over 125 hours using automated imaging techniques. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Tissue-Specific Extracellular Matrix Promotes Myogenic Differentiation of Human Muscle Progenitor Cells on Gelatin and Heparin Conjugated Alginate Hydrogels

Researchers developed a novel approach to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of human skeletal muscle progenitor cells in vitro with skeletal muscle ECM in combination with a modified alginate hydrogel conjugated with gelatin and heparin as a substrate. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Sprifermin (rhFGF18) Enables Proliferation of Chondrocytes Producing a Hyaline Cartilage Matrix

Scientists investigated the effects of sprifermin at the cellular level. A combination of different chondrocyte culture systems was used and the effects of sprifermin on proliferation, the phenotype and matrix production were evaluated. The involvement of MAPKs in sprifermin signalling was also studied. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage] Full Article

Estrogen Receptor Beta as Epigenetic Mediator of MiR-10b and MiR-145 in Mammary Cancer

The authors revealed that miR-10b is strongly implicated in the regulation of functional properties, epithelial to mesenchymal transition program and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling in shERβ MDA-MB-231 cells, thus affecting the ECM composition, including syndecan-1, proteolytic behavior, especially matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP7 and MMP9 expression and subsequently the aggressiveness of these cells. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Syndecan-2 Cytoplasmic Domain Upregulates Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Expression via Protein Kinase Cγ Mediated FAK/ERK Signaling Pathway in Colon Cancer

Investigators report that over-expression of syndecan-2 in HT-29 colon cancer cells increased the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in parallel with upregulated matrix metalloproteinase-7 expression, but a syndecan-2 mutant lacking the cytoplasmic domain showed significant reductions in these effects. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Extracellular Matrix Type Modulates Cell Migration on Mechanical Gradients

Researchers investigated migration of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts on mechanical gradients coated with one or more type of extracellular matrix protein. They showed that NIH 3T3 fibroblasts exhibit durotaxis on fibronectin-coated mechanical gradients but not on those coated with laminin, demonstrating that extracellular matrix type can act as a regulator of cell response to mechanical gradients. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Co-Culture of Chondrons and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reduces the Loss of Collagen VI and Improves Extracellular Matrix Production

Scientists investigated whether mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) help to preserve the pericellular matrix and increase ECM production. Primary bovine chondrons or chondrocytes or rat MSCs were cultured alone to establish a baseline level for ECM production. [Histochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Cleavage of β-Dystroglycan Occurs in Sarcoglycan-Deficient Skeletal Muscle without MMP-2 and MMP-9

Investigators generated triple-knockout mice targeting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and γ-sarcoglycan to examine the status of β-dystroglycan cleavage in the absence of the candidate matrix metalloproteinases in sarcoglycan-deficient muscles. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix and Redox Signaling in Cellular Responses to Stress

The author addresses emerging mechanisms by which redox signaling controls and is controlled by changes in the extracellular matrix, focusing on the roles of matricellular proteins. These proteins engage specific cell surface signaling receptors, integrins, and proteoglycans to regulate the biosynthesis and catabolism of redox signaling molecules and the activation of their signal transducers. [Antioxid Redox Signal] Abstract

Nuclear Matrix Metalloproteinases: Functions Resemble the Evolution from the Intracellular to the Extracellular Compartment

Scientists summarize the nuclear localization mechanisms of matrix metalloproteinases and their functions in the nucleus such as apoptosis, tissue remodeling upon injury and cancer progression. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article

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

Symic Bio Enrolls First Patient in MODIFY2 Phase II Trial of SB-061 for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Symic Bio announced the treatment of the first patient in the MODIFY2 Phase II clinical trial investigating SB-061 for pain management in mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. [Symic Bio, Inc.] Press Release

IdiPAZ Scientists Hope to Make 3D Printed Replacement Corneas Available within Five Years

A team in Spain recently announced its intention to create a replacement cornea using 3D bio-printing. The Spanish Institute for Biomedical Research, at the La Paz Hospital (Instituto de Investigación Biomédica del Hospital La Paz (IdiPAZ)) in Madrid, will be capable of creating these 3D printed corneas within five years. [CELLINK AB] Press Release

Biomedical Ph.D. Program at Major Research University Drops GRE Requirement for Admission

The University of Michigan’s biomedical sciences graduate program announced that it will no longer require GRE scores for its Ph.D. admissions. Following a review of the available evidence and a public discussion involving the program’s faculty, staff, and trainees, the exam’s ability to predict student performance seems “weak at best” while it significantly disadvantages women, minorities, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, writes Scott Barolo, director of the Program in Biomedical Sciences, in the announcement. [Science Careers] Editorial

Leaked Documents Expose Long-Standing Gender Tensions at Salk Institute

Senior female faculty at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies raise more than twice as much in National Institutes of Health funding for scientists working in their labs as their male counterparts, according to a 2016 internal report on “faculty issues” requested by leaders of the San Diego, California institution. Yet Salk leaders favored male scientists by granting them greater access to internal funds and other resources, the report implies, echoing gender discrimination lawsuits filed last month against the research center. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

A Bold Open-Access Push in Germany Could Change the Future of Academic Publishing

Over the past two years, more than 150 German libraries, universities, and research institutes have formed a united front trying to force academic publishers into a new way of doing business. Instead of buying subscriptions to specific journals, consortium members want to pay publishers an annual lump sum that covers publication costs of all papers whose first authors are at German institutions. Those papers would be freely available around the world; meanwhile, German institutions would receive access to all the publishers’ online content. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 33^rd Ernst Klenk Symposium in Molecular Medicine
October 15-17, 2017
Cologne, Germany

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

NEW PhD Fellowship – Nuclear Rho GTPase Function (University of Copenhagen)

NEW Faculty Position – Regenerative Biology (Northwestern University)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Cancer Research (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute)

Research Fellow – Discovery and Functionalization of Novel Peptides (Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School)

Research Officer – Matrix and Metastasis Group (Garvan Institute of Medical Research)

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)

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

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

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

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