Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.21 | May 31 2018

TOP STORY

Reciprocal Signaling by Notch-Collagen V-CALCR Retains Muscle Stem Cells in Their Niche

Scientists showed that adult muscle satellite cells in mice produced extracellular matrix collagens to maintain quiescence in a cell-autonomous manner. They showed that collagen V (COLV) produced by satellite cells is a critical component of the quiescent niche, as depletion of COLV by conditional deletion of the Col5a1 gene leads to anomalous cell cycle entry and gradual diminution of the stem cell pool. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Regulation of Cell Cycle Progression by Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Forces

Investigators quantified cell-cell tension and cell-ECM traction throughout the complete cycle of a large cell population in a growing epithelium. Cells subjected to higher intercellular tension exhibited a higher probability to transition from G1 to S, as well as shorter G1 and S-G2-M phases. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release

Creating Biomimetic Anisotropic Architectures with Co-Aligned Nanofibers and Macrochannels by Manipulating Ice Crystallization

Researchers developed a facile strategy to create a scaffold composed of oriented nanofibers and interconnected macrochannels in the same direction, with various natural polymers typically used for tissue regeneration. The scaffold demonstrated both structural and functional features similar to the natural ECM of anisotropic tissues. [ACS Nano] Abstract

Tumor Elastography and Its Association with Collagen and the Tumor Microenvironment

A modified clinical ultrasound system was used to measure tumor stiffness and perfusion during tumor growth in pre-clinical tumor models. In vivo measurements were compared with collagen mass spectroscopy and automatic analysis of matrix and stroma markers derived from immunofluorescence images. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Thrombospondin-1 Promotes Matrix Homeostasis by Interacting with Collagen and Lysyl Oxidase Precursors and Collagen Cross-Linking Sites

Inhibition of LOX-mediated collagen cross-linking did not prevent the extracellular association between collagen and thrombospondin-1 (TSP1); however, treatment of human dermal fibroblasts with KGHR-containing, TSP1-binding, triple-helical peptides disrupted the collagen-TSP1 association, perturbed the collagen extracellular matrix, and increased myofibroblastic differentiation in a manner that depended on transforming growth factor-β receptor 1. [Sci Signal] Full Article

Cell Division Cycle 7-Kinase Is a Negative Regulator of Cell-Mediated Collagen Degradation

CRISPR-mediated activation of Endo180 expression results in increased collagen uptake, suggesting that cell division cycle 7-kinase regulates collagen internalization through increased Endo180 expression. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Engineered Healing of Avascular Meniscus Tears by Stem Cell Recruitment

Investigators showed that controlled applications of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor beta 3 can induce seamless healing of avascular meniscus tears by inducing recruitment and step-wise differentiation of synovial mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (syMSCs). A short-term release of CTGF, a selected chemotactic and profibrogenic cue, successfully recruited syMSCs into the incision site and formed an integrated fibrous matrix. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Spatial and Temporal Changes in Extracellular Elastin and Laminin Distribution during Lung Alveolar Development

Scientists studied temporospatial changes of two important ECM proteins, laminin and elastin that are tightly associated with alveolar capillary growth and lung elastic recoil respectively, during both mouse and human lung alveolarization. [Sci Rep] Abstract

Hepatitis Transactivator Protein X Promotes Extracellular Matrix Modification through HIF/LOX Pathway in Liver Cancer

Overexpression of transactivator protein X elevated the mRNA and protein expression of a family of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α target genes, the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family in hepatocellular carcinoma. LOX family members function to cross-link collagen in the extracellular matrix to promote cancer progression and metastasis. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Type I Collagen-Induced YAP Nuclear Expression Promotes Primary Cilia Growth and Contributes to Cell Migration in Confluent Mouse Embryo Fibroblast 3T3-L1 Cells

The authors investigated the role of Hippo/YAP signaling in primary cilia growth of cells cultured on type I collagen-coated plate, as well as the potential link between primary cilia and migration. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix-Based Materials for Regenerative Medicine

The authors highlight important matrix properties and functions in the context of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, consider techniques such as proteomics for the investigation of matrix structure and composition and discuss different engineering strategies for the design of matrix-mimicking biomaterials. [Nat Rev Mater] Abstract

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

DFG to Fund 14 New Collaborative Research Centers

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has approved the establishment of 14 new Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) to further support top-level research at German universities. The objective of the CRC “In vivo Visualization of Extracellular Matrix Pathology ‘Matrix in Vision’” is to characterize changes in the extracellular matrix in diseased tissue with the aid of imaging techniques in order to afford new options for early diagnosis and for monitoring the success of therapy. [Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft] Press Release

U.S. FDA Grants Fast Track Designation for Krystal Biotech’s KB103 for the Treatment of Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Krystal Biotech Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to KB103 for the treatment of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). KB103 is the first-ever topically-applied herpes simplex virus based gene therapy engineered to deliver a human collagen protein to patients suffering from DEB. [Krystal Biotech Inc.] Press Release

TELA Bio^® Announces Plans to Launch OviTex^® Reinforced BioScaffolds in Europe

TELA Bio^®, Inc. announced that its partner Aroa Biosurgery, a soft-tissue repair company based in New Zealand that develops and manufactures medical products to improve healing, has been granted EC Certification allowing for the commercial launch of OviTex RBSs in the European Union. [TELA Bio, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Who Gets Credit for CRISPR? Prestigious Award Singles Out Three, and Leaves Out a Notable Scientist

One of the world’s richest science awards, given only in alternate years, will go to three discoverers of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing tool, the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters announced. Emmanuelle Charpentier of the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Jennifer Doudna of the University of California, Berkeley, and Virginijus Šikšnys of Vilnius University will each receive a gold medal and share the $1 million that comes with the Kavli Prize in nanoscience. [STAT News] Editorial

Europe’s Science Spending Set for Another Big Boost

On 7 June, the European Commission will lay out detailed plans for one of the biggest single research programs on the planet. Called Horizon Europe, the program could be worth €97.6 billion between 2021 and 2027, up from about €77 billion for the current seven-year program, Horizon 2020. Its influence, however, will go beyond size. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

After Brexit, Can British Science Have Its Cake and Eat It, Too?

Nearly two years after Britons voted to leave the European Union, Brexit’s impact on European science is finally coming into focus. Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the United Kingdom wants to take part in the next EU research-funding program, set to be worth almost €100 billion (US$116 billion). [Nature News] Editorial

The Science Candidates: Texas Runoff Loss Leaves Wilson with Bitter Taste

This year, ScienceInsider is following a number of candidates with science, technology, engineering, and math backgrounds as they run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In some districts, science candidates have ended up competing against each other for the right to represent their party in the general election on 6 November. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The Liver Meeting 2018
November 9-13, 2018
San Francisco, California, United States

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

NEW Director – Davis Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine (MDI Biological Laboratory)

Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of San Diego)

Full Professor – Biomedical Sciences (Dublin City University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bioengineering (Harvard University)

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Extracellular Matrix News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.