Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.12 | Mar 29 2018

TOP STORY

Biallelic Alterations in AEBP1 Lead to Defective Collagen Assembly and Connective Tissue Structure Resulting in a Variant of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

AEBP1 encodes the aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein (ACLP) that associates with collagens in the ECM and has several roles in development, tissue repair, and fibrosis. Researchers showed that ACLP enhances collagen polymerization and binds to several fibrillar collagens via its discoidin domain. [Am J Hum Genet] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Cell-Sheet-Derived ECM Coatings and Their Effects on BMSCs Responses

In vitro cultured cell sheets were treated with paraformaldehyde or ethanol and eventually became ECM. Researchers found that paraformaldehyde treated ECM coatings showed well-maintained microstructure, whereas that of ethanol treated were completely changed. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Graphene Oxide-A Tool for Preparation of Chemically Crosslinking Free Alginate-Chitosan-Collagen Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering

Scientists developed novel alginate-chitosan-collagen based composite scaffolds consisting of graphene oxide to enrich porous structures, elicited by freeze-drying technique. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Recombinant Fibronectin Fragment III8-10/Polylactic Acid Hybrid Nanofibers Enhance the Bioactivity of Titanium Surface

A significant increase of cell spreading was found on cell attachment site (CAS)/polylactic acid (PLA) hybrid nanofibers (NFs), followed by control pure PLA NFs and bare titanium discs. Cell proliferation showed similar trend being about twice higher on CAS/PLA NFs. [Nanomedicine (Lond)] Abstract

A Poroelastic Model of a Fibrous-Porous Tissue Engineering Scaffold

The mechanics of a fibrous-porous scaffold was studied by applying a coordinated modeling and experimental approach. A force relaxation experiment was used, and a poroelastic model associated the relaxation process with the fluid diffusion through the fibrous matrix. [Sci Rep] Full Article

ECM Cross-Linking Regulates Invadopodia Dynamics

Using iterative analysis based on time-lapse microscopy and mathematical modeling of invasive cancer cells, researchers found that cells oscillate between invadopodia presence and cell stasis-termed the “invadopodia state”-and invadopodia absence during cell translocation-termed the “migration state.” They suggest that β1-integrin-ECM binding and ECM cross-linking control the duration of each of the two states. [Biophys J] Abstract

Gaussian Curvature Directs Stress Fiber Orientation and Cell Migration

To study the role of Gaussian curvature, investigators developed a sphere-with-skirt surface in which a positive Gaussian curvature spherical cap is seamlessly surrounded by a negative Gaussian curvature draping skirt, both with principal radii similar to cell-length scales. They found significant reconfiguration of two subpopulations of stress fibers when fibroblasts are exposed to these curvatures. Cell migration is also strongly influenced by the Gaussian curvature. [Biophys J] Abstract

Protein Tyrosine Kinase 7 Regulates Extracellular Matrix Integrity and Mesenchymal Intracellular RAC1 and Myosin II Activities during Wolffian Duct Morphogenesis

To understand the mechanism by which protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) regulates cell rearrangement/intercalation, scientists investigated the integrity of the ECM and the activity of intracellular cytoskeleton mediators following loss of Ptk7. [Dev Biol] Abstract

Extracellular Phosphorylation of TIMP-2 by Secreted c-Src Tyrosine Kinase Controls MMP-2 Activity

The authors report that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2) is phosphorylated outside the cell by secreted c-Src tyrosine kinase. As a consequence, phosphorylation at Y90 significantly enhanced TIMP-2 potency as an matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) inhibitor and weakened the catalytic action of the active enzyme. [iScience] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix as a Regulator of Epidermal Stem Cell Fate

The authors show that the destruction of ECM components impairs epidermal stem cell morphogenesis and homeostasis. A deep understanding of ECM molecular structure as well as the development of in vitro system for stem cell maintaining by ECM proteins may bring us to developing new approaches for regenerative medicine. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

£3 Million Boost for Liverpool Advanced Materials and Healthcare Research

The University has been awarded more than £3M from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for two research projects. [University of Liverpool] Press Release

Biomedical Group Brings California’s Regenerative Medicine Research to the National Stage

Biocom concluded its Regenerative Medicine Advocacy Fly-In to Washington, D.C., the culmination of almost a year of efforts to elevate the voice of California’s regenerative medicine community. [Biocom (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

NIH Moves to Punish Researchers Who Violate Confidentiality in Proposal Reviews

Late last year, National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials disclosed that they had discovered that someone involved in the proposal review process had violated confidentiality rules designed to protect its integrity. As a result, the agency announced in December 2017 that it would re-review dozens of applications that might have been compromised. Now, NIH says it has completed re-evaluating 60 applications and has also begun taking disciplinary action against researchers who broke its rules. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

India Taps Biologist as New Science Adviser

India has a new science adviser. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government tapped Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan, a molecular biologist and head of India’s Department of Biotechnology, to fill the post. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Cambridge Analytica Controversy Must Spur Researchers to Update Data Ethics

Revelations keep emerging in the Cambridge Analytica personal-data scandal, which has captured global public attention. But when the dust settles, researchers harvesting data online will face greater scrutiny. And so they should. [Nature News] Editorial

Duke’s Mishandling of Misconduct Prompts New U.S. Government Grant Oversight

The U.S. National Institutes of Health imposed unusual new requirements on researchers based at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who receive federal funds. The changes are a response to concerns over how the institution handled recent cases involving research misconduct and grant management. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Bioinspired Materials
June 24-29, 2018
Les Diablerets, Switzerland

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

NEW Faculty Position – Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Seattle Children’s Research Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

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)

Scientist – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Moderna Therapeutics)

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