Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.17 | May 3 2018

TOP STORY

Influence of the Nanofiber Chemistry and Orientation of Biodegradable Poly(Butylene Succinate)-Based Scaffolds on Osteoblast Differentiation for Bone Tissue Regeneration

Researchers investigated how the polymer chemistry and fiber orientation of electrospun scaffolds based on poly(butylene succinate) and poly(butylene succinate/diglycolate) affect human osteoblast differentiation, uniaxially aligned and randomly distributed nanofibers were produced. [Nanoscale] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Type I Collagen-Derived Injectable Conductive Hydrogel Scaffolds as Glucose Sensors

Collagen, the main component of native ECM in humans and animals, was used to fabricate an in situ gellable self-supporting electroconductive hydrogel that can be injected onto an electrode surface or into porcine meat to detect glucose amperometrically. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Silk Sponges Ornamented with Placenta-Derived Extracellular Matrix Augments Full-Thickness Cutaneous Wound Healing by Stimulating Neovascularization and Cellular Migration

The authors demonstrated a simple approach to fabricate porous hybrid extracellular matrix sponges using placental extracellular matrix and silk fibroin for full-thickness wound healing. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Immune System Augmentation via Humanization Using Stem/Progenitor Cells and Bioengineering in a Breast Cancer Model Study

Researchers aimed to develop an advanced humanized model with features of an organ bone by providing different bone tissue cellular compartments including pre‐osteoblasts, mesenchymal stem/stromal, endothelial and hematopoietic cells in an engineered microenvironment. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Head-to-Head Comparison of Two Engineered Cardiac Grafts for Myocardial Repair: From Scaffold Characterization to Pre-Clinical Testing

Investigators developed two engineered cardiac grafts, based on decellularized scaffolds from myocardial and pericardial tissues and repopulated them with adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Matrix Stiffness Modulates Infection of Endothelial Cells by Listeria Monocytogenes via Expression of Cell Surface Vimentin

Scientists manufactured hydrogels of varying physiologically-relevant stiffness and seeded human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) on them. They identified cell surface vimentin as a candidate surface receptor mediating stiffness-dependent adhesion of L. monocytogenes to HMEC-1 and found that bacterial infection of these host cells is decreased when the amount of surface vimentin is reduced. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract | Full Article

The Dual-Delivery of KGF and bFGF by Collagen Membrane to Promote Skin Wound Healing

The authors report the use of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) released chemically modified collagen membranes to facilitate skin wound healing. Results from in vitro studies confirmed that this system resulted in higher cellular proliferation and faster cell migration. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Development of Non-Orthogonal 3D-Printed Scaffolds to Enhance Their Osteogenic Performance

In order to produce scaffolds that more closely replicate the structure of the ECM of tissues, herein both circular and sinusoidal scaffolds were fabricated and compared to their conventional orthogonal counterparts. [Biomater Sci] Abstract

Interaction Between Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells and Fibroblasts through TGF-β1 Mediated by Podoplanin

Investigators found that positive podoplanin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells correlated with smooth muscle actin expression in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Using CAFs and normal mucosal fibroblasts, they established indirect and direct co-culture systems mimicking the structure of OSCC. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

The Rat Pancreatic Body Tail as a Source of a Novel Extracellular Matrix Scaffold for Endocrine Pancreas Bioengineering

The authors focus on preparing a novel acellular extracellular matrix scaffold derived from the rat pancreatic body tail. Several analyses confirmed that their protocol effectively removed cellular material while preserving ECM proteins and the native vascular tree. [J Biol Eng] Full Article

Type I Collagen and Strontium-Containing Mesoporous Glass Particles as Hybrid Material for 3D Printing of Bone-Like Materials

Researchers aimed to develop a hybrid bioactive material suitable for 3D printing of scaffolds mimicking the natural composition and structure of healthy bone. Type I collagen and strontium-containing mesoporous bioactive glasses were combined to obtain suspensions able to perform a sol-gel transition under physiological conditions. [Materials (Basel)] Full Article

The Local Microenvironment Limits the Regenerative Potential of the Mouse Neonatal Heart

By comparing the global transcriptomes of one- and two-day-old mouse hearts, researchers found that most differentially expressed transcripts encode extracellular matrix components and structural constituents of the cytoskeleton. [Sci Adv] Abstract | Press Release

Hydrogel Microenvironments for Cancer Spheroid Growth and Drug Screening

The authors review the use of different types of hydrogels for multicellular cancer spheroid (MCS) growth, the effect of biophysical and biochemical cues on MCS fate, the isolation of MCSs from hydrogel scaffolds, the utilization of microtechnologies, and the applications of MCSs grown in hydrogels. [Sci Adv] Abstract

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

Aroa Biosurgery and Hydrofera Team Up in US

New Zealand biomedical company Aroa Biosurgery and United States medical products company Hydrofera are launching Appulse in North America. Brian Ward, CEO of Aroa Biosurgery, says the company’s Endoform wound care technology and Hydrofera Blue are complementary. Endoform is a proprietary ECM biomaterial, which contains a collagen scaffold and important secondary molecules to support healing. [Aroa Biosurgery (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

BioLamina Launches a Cell Therapy Grade Stem Cell Culture Matrix, Biolaminin 521 CTG, Bridging Discovery and Clinical Cell Therapy

BioLamina is currently undergoing an exciting phase entering the growing cell and gene therapy reagents industry. In order to meet the growing demand for documentation and traceability required for the manufacture of cells for therapy, BioLamina has launched a cell therapy grade laminin substrate for clinical use, Biolaminin 521 CTG. [BioLamina AB] Press Release

ACell, Inc. Announces Series of Research Milestones for Gentrix Surgical Matrix Product Family

ACell, Inc. announced three significant research milestones focused on its Gentrix Surgical Matrix family of devices for use in hernia repair. Gentrix^® Surgical Matrix devices, comprised of ACell’s proprietary MatriStem Urinary Bladder Matrix (UBM^™) technology, may be utilized for a variety of complex hernia and abdominal wall repairs. [ACell, Inc.] Press Release

Nature Announces New Editor-in-Chief

Nature has named Magdalena Skipper as its new editor-in-chief. She is the first woman to hold the post. Skipper, who is currently editor-in-chief of the open-access journal Nature Communications, will become the eighth editor of Nature. [Nature News] Editorial

Big UK Science Funder Says Report Harassment or Risk Losing Funding

One of the world’s largest research-funding charities is cracking down on harassment and bullying. Scientists who have been sanctioned by their institutions could lose out on funding from the Wellcome Trust, under rules announced. [Nature News] Editorial

Accused Cancer Scientist Resigns as Editor of Prestigious Journal

Inder Verma, the prominent cancer scientist and geneticist who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, resigned yesterday as editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a prestigious academic journal. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Seminar: Cell Contact and Adhesion
June 1-2, 2019
Les Diablerets, Switzerland

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Matrix Biology and Reproduction (University of Texas Southwestern Medical School)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellows – Molecular and Translational Cancer Biology (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioengineering Cell Fate and Morphogenesis in Organoids (KU Leuven)

PhD Student and Postdoctoral Position – Bioactive Materials (Max Planck for Molecular Biomedicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Wound Signaling (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Assistant Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of California, San Diego)

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

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

Postdoctoral Positions – Bioengineering (George Washington University)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury (Nanyang Technological University)

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