Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.00 | Jan 4 2018

TOP STORY

YAP/TAZ-Dependent Reprogramming of Colonic Epithelium Links ECM Remodeling to Tissue Regeneration

The authors dissected cell fate transitions during colonic regeneration in a mouse dextran sulfate sodium colitis model, and they demonstrated that the epithelium is transiently reprogrammed into a primitive state. This is characterized by de novo expression of fetal markers as well as suppression of markers for adult stem and differentiated cells. [Cell Stem Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Hippocampal Extracellular Matrix Alterations Contribute to Cognitive Impairment Associated with a Chronic Depressive-Like State in Rats

In vivo breakdown of the hippocampus CA1 extracellular matrix by the enzyme chondroitinase ABC administered intracranially restored the number of perineuronal nets, long-term potentiation maintenance, hippocampal inhibitory tone, and memory performance on the object place recognition test. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Estrogen-Related Receptor γ Causes Osteoarthritis by Upregulating Extracellular Matrix-Degrading Enzymes

Researchers investigated the involvement of estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) in mice. Among ERR family members, ERRγ is markedly upregulated in cartilage from human OA patients and various mouse models of OA. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Computational Modeling of Three-Dimensional ECM-Rigidity Sensing to Guide Directed Cell Migration

The authors present a method for characterizing the stiffness of ECM that is sensed by filopodia based on the theory of elasticity and discrete ECM fiber. They applied this method to a filopodial mechanosensing model for predicting directed cell migration toward stiffer ECM. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Engineered Tissue Folding by Mechanical Compaction of the Mesenchyme

Scientists used embryonic tissue explants, finite element modeling, and 3D cell-patterning techniques to show that mechanical compaction of the ECM during mesenchymal condensation is sufficient to drive tissue folding along programmed trajectories. [Dev Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Urotensin II-Induced Store-Operated Ca²⁺ Entry Contributes to Glomerular Mesangial Cell Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Protein Production under High Glucose Conditions

Researchers tested the hypothesis that urotensin II (UII)-induced Ca²⁺ signaling controls glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) proliferation and ECM production under normal and high glucose conditions. Mouse GMCs cultured under normal glucose conditions proliferated and synthesized ECM proteins in response to stimulation by mouse UII. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Changes in Hyaluronan Deposition in the Rat Myenteric Plexus after Experimentally-Induced Colitis

In the colon of control rats hyaluronan (HA)-binding protein was detected in myenteric neuron soma, perineuronal space and ganglia surfaces. Prominent hyaluronan synthase 2 staining was found in myenteric neuron cytoplasm, suggesting that myenteric neurons produce HA. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Recombinant Extracellular Matrix Protein Fragments Support Human Embryonic Stem Cell Chondrogenesis

Aiming to enhance human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-chondrogenesis investigators screened a range of ECM molecules for their ability to support differentiation of hESCs towards chondrocytes. They identified two novel ECM protein fragments that supported hESC-chondrogenesis. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

hWJECM–Derived Oriented Scaffolds with Autologous Chondrocytes for Rabbit Cartilage Defect Repairing

Researchers used functional autologous chondrocytes to seed the human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly–derived ECM (hWJECM)-derived oriented scaffold and tested the efficacy of the cell-scaffold constructs to repair full-thickness articular cartilage defect in a rabbit model. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Mechanoreciprocity in Cell Migration

Investigators discuss how the bi-directional relationship of cell–tissue interactions (mechanoreciprocity) allows cells to change position and contributes to single-cell and collective movement, structural and molecular tissue organization, and cell fate decisions. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

Targeting Extracellular Matrix Stiffness to Attenuate Disease: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Trials

Targeting extracellular matrix mechanics, by preventing or reversing tissue stiffening or interrupting the cellular response, is a therapeutic approach with clinical potential. Major drivers of changes to the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix include phenotypically converted myofibroblasts, transforming growth factor β, and matrix cross-linking. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

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

Evox Therapeutics to Collaborate with Boehringer Ingelheim on Exosome-Mediated Drug Delivery

Evox Therapeutics Ltd. announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to investigate exosome-mediated delivery of RNAs with high medical relevance to targets for specific disease areas of focus to Boehringer Ingelheim. [Evox Therapeutics Ltd.] Press Release

Asana BioSciences Announces Achievement of Positive Results in the Clinical Proof of Concept Study in Atopic Dermatitis with ASN002, A Novel Oral JAK/SYK Inhibitor

Asana BioSciences announced that ASN002, its oral once daily dual JAK/SYK inhibitor, has achieved clinical efficacy in a proof of concept study in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. [Asana BioSciences, LLC.] Press Release

Germany vs Elsevier: Universities Win Temporary Journal Access after Refusing to Pay Fees

The Dutch publishing giant Elsevier has granted uninterrupted access to its paywalled journals for researchers at around 200 German universities and research institutes that had refused to renew their individual subscriptions at the end of 2017. [Nature News] Editorial

Nobel Laureate Will Step Down from Leading Embattled Salk Institute

Elizabeth Blackburn, the Nobel Prize–winning molecular biologist who took over just two years ago as president of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego, California, announced her intent to retire next summer. The unexpected news comes as Salk faces gender discrimination lawsuits from three veteran female scientists and Blackburn herself has been challenged for not moving quickly enough to change what one plaintiff’s suit called an “old boys club” at the renowned research institute. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Chile Election Reignites Tussle over Science Policy

Chile’s new President-elect Sebastián Piñera is poised to reshape science policy in the country. His plans to forge closer ties among science, education and industry have sparked enthusiasm from scientists who hope the plan will bolster support for their work — but also concern about possible changes in research priorities. [Nature News] Editorial

Facebook Billionaire Pours Funds into High-Risk Research

After his plan to test a cancer vaccine for middle-aged pet dogs was rejected by the US National Institutes of Health, inventor and biochemist Stephen Johnston sought funding outside the mainstream system. The Open Philanthropy Project, a grant-giving organization that is largely funded by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and his wife Cari Tuna, announced that Johnston will receive US$6.4 million to test the vaccine he developed. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Dynamic Cell III
March 19-21, 2018
Manchester, United Kingdom

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

NEW PhD Studentship – Self-Assembled Protein Nanosheets for the Control of Stem Cell Phenotype (Queen Mary University of London)

NEW PhD Studentship – Mechanisms of Stem Cell Adhesion and Fate Decision to Nanostructured Biomaterials (Queen Mary University of London)

NEW Predoctoral Fellow/PhD Student – Renal Disease (Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden)

NEW PhD Scholarship Award – Neuroscience (University of Technology Sydney)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Extracellular Matrix Protein Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Faculty Position(s) – Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Matrix & Metastasis (Garvan Institute of Medical Research)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Mechanobiology (University of Michigan)

Tenure Track Positions – Fibrosis Diseasome (University of Oulu)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Metabolism or Tissue Fibrosis (University of California – San Francisco)

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