Extracellular Matrix News 9.13 April 5, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYCell Contraction Induces Long-Ranged Stress Stiffening in the Extracellular Matrix In tissues, cells interact with the extracellular matrix, a 3D network of biopolymers with a highly nonlinear elastic response. The authors introduce a method exploiting this matrix nonlinearity to infer mechanical stresses in 3D. Using this method, they demonstrate that cell contractility induces large stresses, which generate a massive stiffness gradient over an extended region in 3D matrices of collagen, fibrin, and Matrigel. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Researchers demonstrated the feasibility of using genetically engineered animals to create decellularized biologic scaffolds with favorable extracellular matrix properties. Specifically, they utilized skin from thrombospondin (TSP)-2 KO mice to derive various decellularized products. [Biomaterials] Abstract Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)7 was upregulated during lysolecithin‐induced demyelination, indicating its potential for endogenous fibronectin clearance. In contrast, the expression of proMMP7 was substantially decreased in chronic active and inactive multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions compared with control white matter and remyelinated MS lesions. [Glia] Full Article Scientists developed a 3D co-culture model of lung adenocarcinoma cells and macrophages in an interpenetrating network hydrogel, to investigate the influence of the macrophage phenotype and ECM stiffness in the induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. [Biofabrication] Abstract The authors report early onset spontaneous disc degeneration in SM/J mice known for their poor regenerative capacities compared to “super-healer” LG/J mice. In SM/J mice, degenerative process was marked by decreased nucleus pulposus cellularity and changes in matrix composition at P7, four, and eight weeks with increased severity by 17 weeks. [Matrix Biol] Abstract ECM structures of human colon carcinoma and normal colon tissues were histologically identified. Using atomic force microscopy nanoindentation, investigators showed that the collagen-rich regions within the ECM of colon carcinoma tissues were significantly stiffer than the submucosal collagen-rich layer of control tissues. [Matrix Biol] Full Article Aligned Laminin Core-Polydioxanone/Collagen Shell Fiber Matrices Effective for Neuritogenesis Researchers designed biomimetic matrices composed of aligned laminin core-polydioxanone/collagen shell fibers, which can provide both topographical and biochemical cues for promoting neuritogenesis. [Sci Rep] Full Article Quantifying Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Human Lung Scaffold Cultures Investigators used decellularized lung scaffolds repopulated with allogenic lung fibroblasts cultured with stable isotope labelled amino acids to quantify the balance between matrix production and degradation at a proteome-wide scale. [Sci Rep] Full Article Scientists found that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and decellularized ECM scaffold generated synergistic effects on promoting skeletal muscle tissue regeneration. Both MSCs and decellularized ECM scaffold promoted macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype and suppressed macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype, which is widely regarded as an important promoting factor in tissue regeneration. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article Guiding 3D Cell Migration in Deformed Synthetic Hydrogel Microstructures To study the impact of macroscopic deformations on single cell migration, researchers present a novel method to introduce uniaxial strain in matrices by microstructuring photo-polymerizable hydrogel strips with embedded cells in a channel slide. They found that such confined swelling resulted in a strained matrix in which cells exhibited an anisotropic migration response parallel to the strain direction. [Soft Matter] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSThe authors focus on practical considerations that render the intrathecal approach clinically viable, and then discuss the characteristics of various biomaterials that are suitable to serve as scaffolds. They also propose strategies to modulate the local microenvironment with nanoparticle carriers to improve the functionality of cellular grafts. [NPJ Regen Med] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSSymic Bio Announces 12-Month Results from the SHIELD Trial of SB-030 in Peripheral Vascular Disease Symic Bio announced 12-month results from the Phase I/II SHIELD trial evaluating SB-030 in patients with peripheral vascular disease undergoing angioplasty. SB-030 is in development to improve clinical outcomes following peripheral vein graft procedures. SB-030 is administered locally, acting on the extracellular matrix of exposed connective tissue. [Symic Bio] Press Release AlloSource and Stryker Launch ProChondrix CR Cryopreserved Osteochondral Allograft AlloSource and Stryker announced the launch of ProChondrix® CR, a cryopreserved osteochondral allograft. ProChondrix CR is a single-stage, natural solution for patients in need of articular cartilage repair. [AlloSource] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSUnnecessary Exclusions Shut Patients out of Clinical Trials The FDA will hold a public meeting in Washington to discuss issues related to clinical trial eligibility criteria. Researchers, study sponsors, patients, and the general public will have an opportunity to share their experiences and tell our regulators why it’s time to revisit the guidelines. [STAT] Editorial Cancer Researchers Push to Relax Rules for Clinical Trials US government examines whether criteria for participating in drug studies unnecessarily exclude some people. [Nature News] Editorial Cancer Researcher at the Ohio State University Resigns following Multiple Misconduct Findings A cancer researcher has resigned from The Ohio State University in Columbus after the institution determined he had committed misconduct in eight papers. His work in designing anticancer compounds had led to millions of dollars in funding and multiple patents, as well as two compounds in clinical trials. [ScienceInsider] Editorial EU Copyright Reforms Draw Fire from Scientists An influential committee of the European Parliament is due to vote on changes to copyright regulations in the European Union (EU), but the latest drafts of the rules have triggered a wave of criticism from open-science advocates. They say that the proposals will stifle research and scholarly communication. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 2019 Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) World Congress Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Wound Signaling (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) NEW Assistant Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of California, San Diego) 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) 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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