Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.35 | Sep 7 2017

TOP STORY

LMO1 Synergizes with MYCN to Promote Neuroblastoma Initiation and Metastasis

The transgenic expression of LMO1 promoted hematogenous dissemination and distant metastasis, which was linked to neuroblastoma cell invasion and migration, and elevated expression levels of genes affecting tumor cell-extracellular matrix interaction, including loxl3, itga2b, itga3, and itga5. [Cancer Cell] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Injectable Biomimetic Liquid Crystalline Scaffolds Enhance Muscle Stem Cell Transplantation

The authors developed a cell delivery strategy based on a supramolecular liquid crystal formed by peptide amphiphiles (PAs) that encapsulates cells and growth factors within a muscle-like unidirectionally ordered environment of nanofibers. The stiffness of the PA scaffolds, dependent on amino acid sequence, was found to determine the macroscopic degree of cell alignment templated by the nanofibers in vitro. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Inter-Adipocyte Adhesion and Signaling by Collagen IV Intercellular Concentrations in Drosophila

Scientists showed that discrete collagen IV intercellular concentrations, distinct from basement membranes and thicker in section, mediate inter-adipocyte adhesion in Drosophila. Loss of these collagen-IV-containing structures in the larval fat body caused intercellular gaps and disrupted continuity of the adipose tissue layer. [Curr Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Airway Remodeling and Inflammation in Asthma Are Dependent on the Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibulin-1c

Investigators showed that fibulin-1 (Fbln1) c protein was increased in the lungs of mice with house duct mite-induced chronic allergic airway disease (AAD). Genetic deletion and therapeutic inhibition of Fbln1c in mice with chronic AAD reduced airway collagen deposition, and protected against allergic airway hyperresponsiveness. [J Pathol] Abstract

Inhibition of Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 Reduces Collagen-Mediated Tumorigenicity in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Researchers found that collagen-induced activation of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) stimulated pro-tumorigenic signaling through protein tyrosine kinase 2 and pseudopodium-enriched atypical kinase 1 in pancreatic cancer cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of DDR1 with an ATP competitive orally available small molecule kinase inhibitor abrogated collagen-induced DDR1 signaling in pancreatic tumor cells and consequently reduced colony formation and migration. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Kynurenic Acid Prevents Cytoskeletal Disorganization Induced by Quinolinic Acid in Mixed Cultures of Rat Striatum

The authors described the ability of kynurenic acid (KYNA) preventing cytoskeletal disruption provoked by quinolinic acid (QUIN) in astrocyte/neuron/microglia mixed culture. KYNA totally preserved cytoskeletal organization, cell morphology, and redox imbalance in mixed cultures exposed to QUIN. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

The Functional Relationship between Transglutaminase 2 and Transforming Growth Factor β1 in the Regulation of Angiogenesis and Endothelial–Mesenchymal Transition

By using the endothelial cells (ECs) and fibroblast co-culture and ECs 3D culture models, researchers demonstrated a role for TG2 in both endothelial tubule formation and in tubule loss, which involves its role in the regulation of transforming growth factor β1 and Smad signaling. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

MDM2 Contributes to High Glucose-Induced Glomerular Mesangial Cell Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation via Notch1

Investigators found that murine double minute 2 (MDM2) protein level was significantly upregulated in high glucose-treated glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs), while knocking down MDM2 by siRNA could attenuate high glucose-induced ECM accumulation and GMCs proliferation. Nutlin-3a, a MDM2-p53 interaction blocker, had no benefit in protecting diabetic mice from renal impairment in vivo and in alleviating high glucose-induced ECM accumulation in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Biocomposite Nanofiber Matrices to Support ECM Remodeling by Human Dermal Progenitors and Enhanced Wound Closure

Scientists developed several novel modifiable nanofiber scaffolds comprised of poly (ε-caprolactone) and gelatin. They asked whether the scaffolds could be used as a functional receptacle for adult human skin-derived precursor cells and how naked scaffolds impact endogenous skin wound healing. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cell Derived Extracellular Matrix Fibers Synthesized Using Sacrificial Hollow Fiber Membranes

To capture the ECM secreted by cells during in vitro culture, a solvent degradable hollow fiber membrane (HFM) was created and utilized as a cell culture platform. 3T3 fibroblasts were injected into the narrow lumina of mesoporous polysulfone HFMs and maintained in culture for up to three weeks. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

CCN3 Suppresses TGF-β1-Induced Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in Human Mesangial Cells In Vitro

Researchers investigated the effects of CCN3 on TGF-β1-induced production of ECM in human mesangial cells (HMCs) in vitro. Treatment with TGF-β1 significantly increased the expression of the two markers of renal fibrosis, fibronectin and type I collagen, in HMCs. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Intermediate Filaments and the Regulation of Cell Motility during Regeneration and Wound Healing

The authors review the recent progress in understanding the multiple functions of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments that relate to cell motility in the context of wound healing, taking examples from studies on keratin, vimentin, and nestin. [Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol] Abstract

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

Lasker Prizes Recognize Work on Cell Growth, Cancer Prevention, and Reproductive Care

The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation announced its three annual prizes, each of which comes with a $250,000 award. Regarded as the United States’s most prestigious biomedical research awards, the Laskers often precede a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Eighty-seven Lasker laureates have gone on to win a Nobel. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Press Release

Humacyte Completes Patient Enrollment for Phase III Clinical Trial of Human Acellular Vessel

Humacyte announced that it has completed enrollment of 350 evaluable subjects for its Phase III HUMANITY^® study of HUMACYL^®, Humacyte’s investigational human acellular vessel. Conducted across 40 sites in the U.S., Europe and Israel, this pivotal Phase III clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of the bioengineered blood vessel as a conduit for hemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease requiring renal replacement therapy and who are not candidates for fistula. [Humacyte, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Aziyo Completes Enrollment in Prospective Post Market Study of CanGaroo ECM Envelope

Aziyo Biologics, Inc. announced completion of patient enrollment in SECURE, a prospective post market study of 1,000 patients treated with CanGaroo^® ECM^® Envelope in conjunction with cardiac implantable electronic device placement. [Aziyo Biologics, Inc.] Press Release

Regentis Biomaterials Receives European CE Mark Approval for GelrinC

Regentis Biomaterials Ltd. announced that it has received European CE mark approval for its GelrinC^® biodegradable implant. The approval covers GelrinC manufactured using denatured human fibrinogen and expands upon the existing CE mark for a version containing denatured bovine-sourced fibrinogen. [Regentis Biomaterials Ltd. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Researchers Riled by Lack of Detail in Brexit Science Plans

More than one year after UK citizens voted to leave the European Union (EU) and just over two months into ‘Brexit’ negotiations, the British government has finally laid out how it would like to handle scientific relationships with the EU after it leaves the bloc next year. Many scientists are less than impressed. [Nature News] Editorial

Senate Spending Panel Approves $2 Billion Raise for NIH in 2018

A Senate subcommittee approved a $2 billion raise, to $36.1 billion, for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the 2018 fiscal year. To the relief of research universities, the Senate draft spending bill would also block a Trump proposal to slash NIH payments to cover the overhead costs of research. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Researchers Thought Peace in Colombia Would Mean More Science Funding. They Were Wrong

Wearing lab coats and hoisting placards with slogans such as “A country without science is a country without a future,” hundreds of scientists poured into plazas in cities across Colombia. Their beef: a proposed 42% cut to the 2018 budget of Colciencias, the nation’s science ministry in Bogotá, which doles out research grants and supports graduate students. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 4^th Annual Matrix Biology Ireland (MBI) Meeting
October 30-November 1, 2017
Dublin, Ireland

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Kidney Disease (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)

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

Faculty Position – Regenerative Biology (Northwestern University)

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

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

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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