Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.11 | Mar 22 2018

TOP STORY

Substrate Stiffness Modulates the Multipotency of Human Neural Crest Derived Ectomesenchymal Stem Cells via CD44 Mediated PDGFR Signaling

Scientists investigated whether substrate stiffness mediated mechanical cues can directly modulate the development of ectodermal mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs) from a precursor human neural crest stem cell (NCSC) population. They showed that NCSC-derived eMSCs were transcriptionally and functionally distinct from mesodermal bone marrow MSCs. [Biomaterials] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Proinvasive Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Tumor Microenvironment in Response to Radiation

Researchers showed that ionizing radiation affects biomechanical tension in the glioblastoma microenvironment and provides proinvasive extracellular signaling cues, in hyaluronic acid-rich conditions. [Oncogene] Abstract

Photooxidatively Crosslinked Acellular Tumor Extracellular Matrices as Potential Tumor Engineering Scaffolds

Methylene blue-mediated photooxidation was used to crosslink acellular tumor ECMs. Photooxidative crosslinking greatly increased the stiffness of acellular tumor ECM scaffolds but barely altered the Amide III band of the secondary structure of polypeptides and proteins. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Genipin Cross-Linked Type II Collagen/Chondroitin Sulfate Composite Hydrogel-Like Cell Delivery System Induces Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Regenerates Degenerated Nucleus Pulposus

Scientists developed a type II collagen/chondroitin sulfate (CS) composite hydrogel-like adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) (CCSA) delivery system with genipin as the cross-linking agent. The induction effect of the scaffold on ADSC differentiation was studied in vitro, and a rat coccygeal vertebrae degeneration model was used to investigate the regenerative effect of the CCSA system on the degenerated nucleus pulposus in vivo. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Transforming Growth Factor-β Modulates Pancreatic Cancer Associated Fibroblasts Cell Shape, Stiffness and Invasion

Optical/fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy, image processing techniques, invasion assay in 3D collagen I gels and real-time PCR were employed to investigate the effect of transforming growth factor beta on normal pancreatic fibroblasts and cancer associated fibroblasts with regard to crucial cellular morphodynamic characteristics and relevant gene expression involved in tumor progression and metastasis. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Transdifferentiation of Pancreatic Progenitor Cells to Hepatocyte-Like Cells Is Not Serum-Dependent When Facilitated by Extracellular Matrix Proteins

The authors developed a protocol for transdifferentiation of pancreatic progenitor cells to hepatocyte-like cells in a chemically defined, serum-free culture medium. The clonal pancreatic progenitor cell line AR42J-B13 was cultured in basal growth medium on uncoated plastic culture dishes in the absence or presence of dexamethasone on uncoated, laminin- or fibronectin-coated culture substrata, with or without serum supplementation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Fetal Extracellular Matrix Nerve Wraps Locally Improve Peripheral Nerve Remodeling after Complete Transection and Direct Repair in Rat

Researchers report on deriving and analyzing fetal porcine urinary bladder (fUB)-ECM by vacuum assisted decellularization, fabricating fUBM-ECM nerve wraps, and testing fUB-ECM nerve wrap biocompatibility and bioactivity in a trigeminal, infraorbital nerve branch transection and direct end-to-end repair model in rat. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Microfluidic Fabrication of Multi-Stimuli Responsive Tubular Hydrogels for Cellular Scaffolds

Scientists prepared pH- and temperature-responsive hydrogel microfibers and microtubes using a microfluidic device through alginate-templated photopolymerization. Hydrogel monomer solutions containing N-isopropylacrylamide and sodium acrylate or allyl amine were irradiated with UV light to invoke in situ photopolymerization. [Langmuir] Abstract

Pro-Angiogenic Impact of SDF-1α Gene-Activated Collagen-Based Scaffolds in Stem Cell Driven Angiogenesis

The authors developed a pro-angiogenic gene-activated scaffold that could activate mesenchymal stem cells to produce paracrine factors and influence angiogenesis and wound repair. [Int J Pharm] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Fibroblast-Matrix Interplay: Nintedanib and Pirfenidone Modulate the Effect of IPF Fibroblast-Conditioned Matrix on Normal Fibroblast Phenotype

Normal fibroblasts were cultured on both types of conditioned matrix, and cell count, cell distribution and markers of myofibroblast differentiation; transforming growth factor beta signaling; and ECM expression were assessed. The effects of the anti‐fibrotic drugs nintedanib and pirfenidone at physiologically relevant concentrations were also explored. [Respirology] Abstract

Cyclopamine Treatment Disrupts Extracellular Matrix and Alleviates Solid Stress to Improve Nanomedicine Delivery for Pancreatic Cancer

Cyclopamine, a special inhibitor of the hedgehog signaling pathway which contributes a lot to ECM formation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), was exploited to alleviate solid stress and improve nanomedicine delivery to PDA. Investigators demonstrated that cyclopamine successfully disrupted ECM and lowered solid stress within PDA, which increased functional tumor vessels and resulted in enhanced tumor perfusion as well as improved tumor nanomedicine delivery in PDA-bearing animal models. [J Drug Target] Abstract

Matrix Remodeling in Chronic Lung Diseases

The authors consider how ECMs regulate lung homeostasis and their reorganization under pathological conditions that can modulate the inflammatory diseases asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Microfabrication-Based Three-Dimensional (3-D) Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments for Cancer and Other Diseases

Researchers focus on new discoveries regarding the impact of the ECM on different aspects of cancer metastasis, e.g., collective invasion, enhanced intravasation by stress and aligned collagen fibers, angiogenesis regulation, as well as on drug screening. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

Aziyo Biologics Expands Bone Repair Franchise with Launch of OsteGro

Aziyo Biologics, Inc. announced the launch of OsteGro, an allograft bone matrix that supports new bone growth in orthopedic surgical procedures. [Aziyo Biologics, Inc.] Press Release

Science Magazine Recognizes Frequency Therapeutics’ PCA Regeneration Technology as a Breakthrough in Regenerative Medicine

Frequency Therapeutics announced that Will McLean, Ph.D., Co-founder and Vice President, Biology and Regenerative Medicine, has received a finalist award for the inaugural Sartorius & Science Prize for Regenerative Medicine & Cell Therapy. [Frequency Therapeutics] Press Release

US Science Agencies Set to Win Big in Budget Deal

Nearly all US science agencies would see their budgets grow in 2018, under a US$1.3-trillion spending deal. For the second year in a row, lawmakers in Congress seem set to ignore the steep cuts sought by President Donald Trump. [Nature News] Editorial

Expectations Are High for UKRI, the United Kingdom’s New £6 Billion Research Behemoth

Combine U.S. agencies akin to the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Humanities. Toss in some energy and innovation research and fuel it all with the largest boost in R&D spending in recent history. Then put one person in charge. That’s what the United Kingdom has done in a major reorganization of research funding that unites all the research councils that support U.K. science. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

HIV Researcher Is New Head of US Public-Health Agency

HIV researcher Robert Redfield will lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar announced. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 26^th European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS) 2018
September 25-28, 2018
Galway, Ireland

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Positions – Bioengineering (George Washington University)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Postdoctoral Associate – Biomedical Engineering (University of Minnesota)

Principal Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (Boehringer Ingelheim)

Lectureship – Stem Cell Biology (University of Edinburgh)

Senior Stem Cell Scientist – 3D Tissue Engineering (VitroLabs Inc)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury (Nanyang Technological University)

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

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

Scientist – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Moderna Therapeutics)

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