Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.37 | Sep 21 2017

TOP STORY

KLF4-Dependent Perivascular Cell Plasticity Mediates Pre-Metastatic Niche Formation and Metastasis

Scientists used perivascular-cell-specific and pericyte-specific lineage-tracing models to trace the fate of perivascular cells in the pre-metastatic and metastatic microenvironments. They showed that perivascular cells lose the expression of traditional vascular smooth muscle cell and pericyte markers in response to tumor-secreted factors and exhibit increased proliferation, migration and ECM synthesis. [Nat Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

In Situ Imaging of Tissue Remodeling with Collagen Hybridizing Peptides

Researchers showed that a designed peptide, which specifically hybridizes to the degraded, unfolded collagen chains, can be used to image degraded collagen and inform tissue remodeling activity in various tissues. [ACS Nano] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Inhibition Links Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Extracellular Matrix Remodelling and Terminal Differentiation in Chondrocytes

GSK3β inhibition significantly enhanced mitochondrial oxidative stress and damage and endochondral ossification based on increased nuclear translocation of Runx-2 and β-catenin, calcium deposition, cell death and enhanced remodelling of the extracellular matrix as demonstrated by the increased collagenolytic activity of supernatants, despite unmodified or even reduced collagenase gene/protein expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Laminin α5 Substrates Promote Survival, Network Formation and Functional Development of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons In Vitro

Scientists compared recombinant human laminin isoforms and laminin isoform fragment in in vitro cultures of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. They showed that laminin substrates containing the α5-chain are important for neuronal attachment, viability and network formation, as detected by phase contrast imaging, viability staining, and immunocytochemistry. [Stem Cell Res] Full Article

The Actin Cytoskeleton Is Involved in Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)-Induced Ret Translocation into Lipid Rafts in Dopaminergic Neuronal Cells

Investigators showed that Ret translocated into lipid rafts and coimmunoprecipitated with actin in response to GDNF treatment. After latrunculin B or jasplakinolide treatment, the Ret–F-actin association induced by GDNF was impaired or enhanced respectively and then the levels of Ret translocated into lipid rafts were correspondingly inhibited or promoted. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Developmental Expression of Membrane Type 4-Matrix Metalloproteinase (Mt4-mmp/Mmp17) in the Mouse Embryo

The authors report a detailed expression analysis of Mt4-mmp during mouse embryonic development by using a LacZ reporter transgenic mouse line. They showed that Mt4-mmp is detected from early stages of development to postnatal stages following a dynamic and restricted pattern of expression. [PLoS One] Full Article

HepG2 and Human Healthy Hepatocyte In Vitro Culture and Co-Culture in PCL Electrospun Platforms

Scientists studied of electrospun scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL) as in vitro model that can mimic the morphological organization of native ECM and the co-culture of hepatic cell lines – i.e., HepG2, human healthy hepatocytes. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Alginate/Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Delivery System Characteristics Regulate the Differentiation of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells toward Chondrogenic Lineage

Investigators developed a stem cell delivery system based on alginate/hyaluronic acid (HA) loaded with TGF-β1 ligand, encapsulating periodontal ligament stem cells; and investigated the chondrogenic differentiation of encapsulated cells in alginate/HA hydrogel microspheres in vitro and in vivo. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A Versatile 3D Tissue Matrix Scaffold System for Tumor Modeling and Drug Screening

Scientists introduce a reconstitutable tissue matrix scaffold (TMS) system fabricated using native tissue ECM, with tissue-like architecture and resilience. The structural and compositional properties of TMS favor robust cell survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion in culture and vascularized tumor formation in animals. [Sci Adv] Abstract

Role of the ECM in Notochord Formation, Function and Disease

The authors highlight the specific functions of distinct matrix molecules in regulating notochord development and notochord-derived signals. They also discuss the involvement of ECM synthesis and its remodeling in the pathogenesis of chordoma, a malignant bone cancer that originates from remnants of notochord remaining after embryogenesis. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

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

STEMCELL Technologies Signs Exclusive License with Propagenix to Commercialize EpiX™, an Innovation Empowering Epithelial Cell Biology and Cell Therapy

STEMCELL Technologies has signed an exclusive license with Propagenix to commercialize its patented EpiX™ technology, a novel and revolutionary cell culture medium that enables unprecedented expansion of tissue-resident epithelial stem cells without any genetic manipulation. [STEMCELL Technologies Inc.] Press Release

MiMedx Files with the FDA to Initiate the Company’s Investigational New Drug Phase II Clinical Trial for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

MiMedx Group, Inc. announced that the company has filed with the FDA to initiate its Investigational New Drug Phase II clinical trial for osteoarthritis of the knee. [MiMedx Group, Inc.] Press Release

United Kingdom Sees Dip in European Research Applications after Brexit Vote

The number of researchers applying for Europe-funded Marie Curie fellowships in the United Kingdom has dipped slightly since the country’s vote to leave the European Union, data released to Nature show. But there is no evidence yet of a sharp collapse in interest, which some scientists had feared in the wake of the Brexit referendum. [Nature News] Editorial

A Far-Right Party Is about to Enter the German Parliament. What Does that Mean for Science?

Angela Merkel will likely remain chancellor after the German elections, but the voting will shake up German federal politics in another way. Polls predict that the far-right Alternative for Germany will get close to 10% of the vote, winning seats in the federal legislature, the Bundestag, for the first time. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

HHMI’s Own Brand of Diversity in the Life Sciences

One of Erin O’Shea’s first moves as Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) president was committing $25 million a year to support postdocs from underrepresented groups. Her hope was that they would eventually change the color—and culture—of their departments as they moved into leadership positions, in addition to serving as role models for the next generation of scientists. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Collagen in All Its Forms
November 9, 2017
Lyon, France

NEW 11^th Meeting of the Scandinavian Society for Biomaterials
April 25-27, 2018
Fiskebäckskil, Sweden

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

NEW Assistant or Associate Professor – Biomedical Engineering (University of British Columbia)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Wound Healing (University of Connecticut Health Center)

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

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)

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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