Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.04 | Feb 1 2018

TOP STORY

Cells in the Heart Sense Stiffness by Measuring Contraction Forces and Resting Tension Simultaneously

Researchers have identified a new mechanism in which adhesive structures within the cells of the heart sense stiffness through muscle contractions and resting tension at the same time. [Press release from Queen Mary University of London discussing online prepublication in Developmental Cell] Press Release | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Interplay between Stiffness and Degradation of Architectured Gelatin Hydrogels Leads to Differential Modulation of Chondrogenesis In Vitro and In Vivo

Architectured 3D hydrogel scaffolds were used as a model system to investigate the interplay between scaffold mechanical properties and degradation on matrix deposition by human articular chondrocytes from healthy donors in vitro and in vivo. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Skeletal Cell YAP and TAZ Combinatorially Promote Bone Development

Scientists report that combinatorial Yes-associated protein (YAP)/(transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) deletion from skeletal lineage cells, using Osterix-Cre, caused an osteogenesis imperfecta-like phenotype with severity dependent on allele dose and greater phenotypic expressivity with homozygous TAZ vs. YAP ablation. [FASEB J] Abstract | Full Article

Formation of Multi-Component Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibers

Investigators harnessed the fibrillogenesis mechanisms of naturally occurring ECM proteins to produce artificial fibers with a heterogeneous protein makeup. Using ECM proteins as fibril building blocks, they created uniquely structured multi-component ECM fibers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Proteomic Analysis of Nucleus Pulposus Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Niche and Its Effect on Phenotypic Alteration of Dermal Fibroblasts

The authors attempted to reconstitute a biomimetic extracellular matrix niche by culturing nucleus pulposus cells in a collagen microsphere system previously established and allowing them to remodel the template matrix. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Nanocomposite Injectable Gels Capable of Self-Replenishing Regenerative Extracellular Microenvironments for In Vivo Tissue Engineering

Researchers developed nanocomposite injectable gels fabricated by simple combination of common biodegradable copolymers, PLGA-PEG-PLGA, and synthetic clay nanoparticles (LAPONITE^®). They revealed that the nanocomposite injectable gels strongly adsorb ECM molecules including collagen and heparin within gels and retain them due to the ability of LAPONITE^® in synchronization with the degradation of PLGA-PEG-PLGA and subsequent release of the degradation products. [Biomater Sci] Abstract

Effect of Cyclic Dynamic Compressive Loading on Chondrocytes and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Co-Cultured in Highly Elastic Cryogel Scaffolds

Scientists used gelatin/chondroitin-6-sulfate/hyaluronan/chitosan highly elastic cryogels, which showed total recovery from large strains during repeated compression cycles, as 3D scaffolds to study the effects of cyclic dynamic compressive loading on chondrocyte gene expression and extracellular matrix production. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Regulation of Skeletal Myotube Formation and Alignment by Nanotopographically Controlled Cell-Secreted Extracellular Matrix

The authors hypothesized that the organization of skeletal muscle tissues in culture can affect both the structure of the deposited ECM and the differentiation potential of developing myotubes. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Biopolymer-Based Membranes Associated with Osteogenic Growth Peptide for Guided Bone Regeneration

Biopolymers-based membranes from bacterial cellulose and collagen associated with osteogenic growth peptide (OGP(10-14)) were evaluated to determine in vitro osteoinductive potential in early osteogenesis; moreover, histological study was performed to evaluate the BC-COL OGP(10-14) membranes on bone healing after guided bone regeneration in noncritical defects in rat femur. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Hierarchical Design of Tissue Regenerative Constructs

The authors give an overview of the essential components of tissue regenerating scaffolds, ranging from the molecular to the macroscopic scale in a hierarchical manner. They elaborate about recent pivotal technologies, such as photopatterning, electrospinning, 3D bioprinting, or the assembly of micrometer-scale building blocks, which enable the incorporation of local heterogeneities, similar to most native extracellular matrices. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Exosomes in Extracellular Matrix Bone Biology

Researchers discuss the main morphological features and contents of bone-derived exosomes, as well as their major isolation and physical characterization techniques. They present various scenarios and discuss potential clinical applications of bone-derived exosomes in bone repair and regeneration. [Curr Osteoporos Rep] Abstract

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

Agilent Announces Strategic Scientific Collaboration with the University of Southern California

Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that it has formed a strategic scientific collaboration with the University of Southern California Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience to create an Agilent Center of Excellence in Biomolecular Characterization. The collaboration aims to facilitate transformational biomedical science and engineering research. [Agilent Technologies Inc.] Press Release

Gecko Biomedical Secures €6 Million in Funding under the Investments for the Future Program, to Industrialize and Develop Innovative Solutions for Tissue Reconstruction

Gecko Biomedical has been granted a total of €6 million in funding under the Investments for the Future program for its project proposal entitled “PIAVE”, which is piloted by the General Secretariate for Investment and operated by Bpifrance. This funding is a contribution towards the industrialization and development of innovative solutions in the area of tissue reconstruction, and the peripheral nerve in particular. [Gecko Biomedical] Press Release

US Government Rethinks How to Retire Research Chimps

The research chimpanzees owned or supported by the US National Institutes of Health are ready to retire — but nearly 300 are still stuck in 3 US research facilities, awaiting spots at the country’s only federally funded sanctuary. [Nature News] Editorial

Computer Scientist to Lead French Research Giant; Interim Head Leaves Amid Misconduct Allegations

Computer scientist Antoine Petit, 57, is the new head of Europe’s largest research organization. There was an unusual twist to Petit’s appointment, however. A week before the official procedure ended, the French government named Petit interim president of the National Center for Scientific Research, a position that had been held by cell biologist Anne Peyroche since Fuchs’s departure. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Indian Science Budget Fails to Impress — Despite Funding Boost

Ministers announce detailed spending plans, with focus on artificial intelligence and cyber systems. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW IABS: 4^th Cell Therapy Conference Manufacturing and Testing of Pluripotent Stem Cells
June 5-6, 2018
Los Angeles, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury (Nanyang Technological University)

NEW Executive Director – Bioengineering and Bioscience (Georgia Institute of Technology)

NEW Locum Associate or Senior Editor – Nature Biomedical Engineering (Springer Nature)

NEW Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Polytechnique Montreal)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowships – Nanomedicine and Cell Engineering (The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia)

NEW Scientist – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Moderna Therapeutics)

Faculty Positions – Biomedical Research (Tongji University School of Medicine)

Professorship – Stem Cells in Pancreas Development and Disease (Technischen Universität Dresden)

Teaching Faculty Position – Biomedical Engineering (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiac Fibrosis (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

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