Extracellular Matrix News Volume 8.43 | Nov 2 2017

TOP STORY

Extracellular Matrix Proteomics Reveals Interplay of Aggrecan and Aggrecanases in Vascular Remodeling of Stented Coronary Arteries

Significant differences were identified by proteomics in the ECM of coronary arteries after bare-metal and drug-eluting stent implantation, most notably an upregulation of aggrecan, a major ECM component of cartilaginous tissues that confers resistance to compression. [Circulation] Abstract | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Pancreatic Stellate Cells Reorganize Matrix Components and Lead Pancreatic Cancer Invasion via the Function of Endo180

Researchers identified leading cells in pancreatic cancer and determined how these cells lead and promote cancer cell invasion in the ECM. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

ResolvinD₁ Stimulates Epithelial Wound Repair and Inhibits TGF-β-Induced EMT whilst Reducing Fibroproliferation and Collagen Production

Primary human alveolar type II cells were used to model the effects of resolvinD₁ (RvD1) in vitro upon wound repair, proliferation, apoptosis, transdifferentiation, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Effects of RvD1 upon primary human lung fibroblast proliferation, collagen production, and myofibroblast differentiation were also examined. [Lab Invest] Full Article

Increased Synthesis and Deposition of Extracellular Matrix Proteins Leads to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in the Trabecular Meshwork

Using a mouse model of glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma, primary human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and human post-mortem TM tissues, scientists showed that increased ECM accumulation leads to endoplasmic reticulum stress in the TM. [Sci Rep] Full Article

DNA Methylation Signal Has a Major Role in the Response of Human Breast Cancer Cells to the Microenvironment

Researchers investigated the mechanisms underlying the changes in gene expression patterns associated with the cross-talk between breast cancer cells and the stroma. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

ECM Crosslinking Enhances Fibroblast Growth and Protects Against Matrix Proteolysis in Lung Fibrosis

Investigators used a combination of in vitro ECM preparations and in vivo assays to examine the expression of cross-linking enzymes and the effect of their inhibitors on fibroblast growth and ECM turnover. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Laminin, Laminin-Entactin and Extracellular Matrix Are Equally Appropriate Adhesive Substrates for Isolated Adult Rat Cardiomyocyte Culture and Experimentation

Adhesion and viability of adult rat cardiomyocytes were evaluated on laminin, laminin-entactin, and ECM at concentrations between 25–200 ug/ml, in three different normoxic experimental buffers and under simulated ischemia-reperfusion conditions. [Cell Adh Migr] Abstract

Platelet-Rich Concentrate in Serum-Free Medium Enhances Cartilage-Specific Extracellular Matrix Synthesis and Reduces Chondrocyte Hypertrophy of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Encapsulated in Alginate

Scientists investigated the effect of platelet-rich concentrate alone in enhancing the chondrogenic differentiation potential of human mesenchymal stromal cells encapsulated in three-dimensional alginate constructs. [Platelets] Abstract

Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 1a Mediates Acid-Induced Inhibition of Matrix Metabolism of Rat Articular Chondrocytes via the MAPK Signaling Pathway

The authors found that extracellular acidification inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of articular chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner while the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and P38 MAPK increased, but this effect was blocked by the Ca²⁺ chelator BAPTA–AM and the ASIC1a-specific blocker PcTx-1. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

Insights into the Key Roles of Epigenetics in Matrix Macromolecules-Associated Wound Healing

The dynamic interplay between ECM and resident cells exerts its critical role in many aspects of wound healing, including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, survival, matrix degradation and biosynthesis. Several epigenetic regulatory factors, such as the endogenous non-coding microRNAs, are the drivers of the wound healing response. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Alterations in Senescent Cells and Their Significance in Tissue Homeostasis

The authors present the current knowledge on extracellular matrix alterations associated with cellular senescence and critically discuss certain characteristic examples, highlighting the ambiguous role of senescent cells in the homeostasis of various tissues under both normal and pathologic conditions. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Periostin Function in Communication with Extracellular Matrices

The binding sites on periostin have been demonstrated to contribute to the mechanical strength of connective tissues, enhancing intermolecular interactions in close proximity and their assembly into extracellular matrix architectures, where periostin plays further essential roles in physiological maintenance and pathological progression. [J Cell Commun Signal] Abstract

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

Symic Bio Announces Results from the Phase I/II SHIELD Trial of SB-030 in Peripheral Vascular Disease

Symic Bio announced results from the Phase I/II SHIELD trial evaluating SB-030, a locally administered therapeutic, in patients with peripheral vascular disease undergoing angioplasty. [Symic Bio] Press Release

Moderna Announces New Collaboration with AstraZeneca to Co-Develop and Co-Commercialize Relaxin mRNA Therapeutic for Heart Failure

Moderna Therapeutics announced a new license and collaboration with AstraZeneca to co-develop and co-commercialize a messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutic encoding for Relaxin. [Moderna Therapeutics] Press Release

Pay for US Postdocs Varies Wildly by Institution

The salary data are incomplete and — in some cases — appear to be incorrect. Some researchers are listed as earning nothing, and another study underway suggests a higher overall rate of pay for US postdocs. But the latest analysis underscores the challenges of getting basic information about an under-recognized and misunderstood segment of the academic workforce. [Nature News] Editorial

Leading Western Publisher Bows to Chinese Censorship

Springer Nature, whose publications include Nature and Scientific American, acknowledged that at the government’s request, it had removed articles from its mainland site that touch on topics the ruling Communist Party considers sensitive, including Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and elite politics. [The New York Times] Editorial

Plans to Promote German Research Excellence Come under Fire

Observers questioned whether the 88 selected projects for the The Excellence Initiative represent Germany’s best science, particularly because the focus for selection has shifted away from basic science and towards applied research. [Nature News] Editorial

Six Papers by Disgraced Surgeon Should Be Retracted, Report Concludes

Sweden’s national scientific ethics board, the Expert Group on Misconduct in Research, has concluded that six papers authored by disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini should be retracted. The papers describe the purported clinical success of artificial trachea “seeded” with a patient’s own stem cells. All three patients described in the papers died of complications related to the implant. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Spanish Government Takes Control of Catalonian Universities

The Spanish government has taken over responsibility for higher education and research in Catalonia, following the region’s unilateral declaration of independence. It will retain control of spending on research centres and universities, which the League of European Research Universities says threatens institutional autonomy. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW EMBO-EMBL Symposia: Principles of Chromosome Structure and Function
September 5-8, 2018
Heidelberg, Germany

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

NEW Faculty Position – Regenerative Medicine (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Postgraduate Position – Biomaterials (University of East Anglia)

Tenured Track Faculty – Regenerative and Immune Engineering (Johns Hopkins University Biomedical Engineering)

Postdoctoral Trainee – Cardiovascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell And Regenerative Biology (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Emory University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Neuroscience (Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – ECM Interactions in Cardiovascular Development and Congenital Heart Disease (Thomas Jefferson University)

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

Postdoctoral Researchers – Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance (Tufts 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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