Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.22 | Jun 7 2018

TOP STORY

Laminin Heparin-Binding Peptides Bind to Several Growth Factors and Enhance Diabetic Wound Healing

Researchers showed that multiple laminin isoforms promiscuously bind to growth factors (GFs) with high affinity, through their heparin-binding domains (HBDs) located in the α chain laminin-type G domains. They demonstrated that covalent incorporation of laminin HBDs into fibrin matrices improves retention of GFs and significantly enhances the efficacy of vascular endothelial cell growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor in promoting wound healing in vivo, under conditions where the GFs alone in fibrin are inefficacious. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Altered p53 Functionality in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Contributes to Their Cancer-Supporting Features

The authors found that the transcriptional program supported by p53 was altered substantially in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) relative to normal fibroblasts. The p53-dependent secretome was also altered in CAFs. This transcriptional rewiring rendered p53 a significant contributor to the distinct intrinsic features of CAFs, as well as promoted tumor cell migration and invasion in culture. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Increased Excitability and Reduced Excitatory Synaptic Input into Fast-Spiking CA2 Interneurons after Enzymatic Attenuation of Extracellular Matrix

Scientists investigated the acute and delayed effects of chondroitinase ABC, an enzyme that digests chondroitin sulfate side chains of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and greatly attenuates neural ECM, on neuronal excitability and excitatory transmission in the CA2 region. [Front Cell Neurosci] Full Article

The Matrix Proteins Aggrecan and Fibulin-1 Play a Key Role in Determining Aortic Stiffness

Researchers identified for the first time, tagSNPs in the genes for extracellular matrix proteins, aggrecan and fibulin-1, that modulate stiffness in young healthy adults. They confirmed SNP associations with ex vivo stiffness measurements and expression studies in human donor aortic tissues. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Collective Cell Behavior in Mechanosensing of Substrate Thickness

Scientists modulated the thickness of soft elastic extracellular-matrix-functionalized polyacrylamide hydrogels adhered to glass substrates and allowed colonies of MG63 cells to form on their surfaces. Cell morphology and deformations of fluorescent fiducial-marker-labeled hydrogels were quantified by time-lapse fluorescence microscopy imaging. [Biophys J] Full Article

Extracellular Matrix Components Indicate Remodeling Activity in Different Fibrosis Stages of Human Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The authors investigated the proportion of hepatic stellate cells and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs in human non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease liver tissue with respect to severity of inflammation and fibrosis. [Histopathology] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Expression and Production in Fibroblast-Collagen Gels: Towards an In Vitro Model for Ligament Wound Healing

Investigators measured gene expression and matrix protein accumulation in fibroblast-collagen gels that were subjected to different static stress conditions for three time points. By comparing in vitro results to prior in vivo studies, they found that stress-free gels had time-dependent changes in gene expression corresponding to early scar formation, and biaxial stress gels had protein levels corresponding to early scar formation. [Ann Biomed Eng] Abstract

Novel Microgel-Based Scaffolds to Study the Effect of Degradability on Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Two types of microgels were fabricated, those composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and those composed of a PEG-lactic acid. Microgels were then mixed in four ratios to fabricate scaffolds and study how changes in scaffold composition altered the 3D proliferation and morphology of human dermal fibroblasts. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Together with or without Inducer Cocktail Improves Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Differentiation into Cardiomyocyte-Like Cells

Researchers investigated the effect of cardiac extracellular matrix (cECM) on differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells into cardiomyocytes using cECM hydrogel in combination with a cardiac inductive cocktail. When human adipose tissue-derived stem cells were cultured in the presence of cECM cardiac genes including GATA4, HAND1, HAND2, NKX2.5, troponin I, βMHC, connexin43 were highly expressed in differentiated cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Full Article

Defective Collagen Proteostasis and Matrix Formation in the Pathogenesis of Lysosomal Storage Disorders

The authors review the recently proposed mechanisms by which impairment of lysosome/autophagy pathway affects extracellular matrix formation and skeletal development and growth. In particular, they highlight the role of autophagy as a collagen quality control pathway in collagen-producing cells. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

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

Viscus Biologics Introduces New Solubilized Collagen Bioink for Use in Bioprinting, Drug Screening and Regenerative Medicine

Viscus Biologics, LLC, designer and manufacturer of allograft and xenograft extracellular matrix materials for biomedical applications, announced the launch of its new high concentration solubilized collagen for use in drug screening and testing. [Press release from Viscus Biologics, LLC (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research presented at the 2018 BIO International Convention, Boston] Press Release

Biological Industries USA Adds Vitronectin XF^™ to Its Stem Cell Portfolio through Agreement with Primorigen Biosciences, Inc.

Biological Industries USA, a division of Biological Industries Beit Haemek Israel, and Primorigen Biosciences, Inc. announce a strategic partnership for non-exclusive worldwide distribution of Primorigen’s proprietary Vitronectin XF^™ protein matrix for stem cell culture. [Biological Industries USA (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

New Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering Launches

Northwestern’s newest center has officially launched with a bold mission and interdisciplinary mindset. The Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering aims to create an ecosystem that enables researchers and clinicians to regenerate tissues and organs for adult and pediatric patients. [Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Northwestern University] Press Release

UT Health San Antonio Receives $24 Million NIH Research Boost

For the third time in ten years, University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center, San Antonio has garnered highly competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to speed the translation of research discovery into improved patient care. UT Health San Antonio will receive $24 million over the next five years under the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program. The university is a CTSA Program hub and collaborates with eight regional partners. [University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio] Press Release

Scientists Fare Poorly in Super Tuesday Primary Vote

Science-minded candidates seeking seats in the next U.S. Congress took a drubbing from their Democratic opponents in a raft of primary elections across the country. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Chile, Keen to Become a Knowledge Society, Creates a Ministry of Science

Scientists in Chile have welcomed a decision by Congress to create a science ministry. Many researchers hope that a dedicated ministry will give science more prominence and better-coordinated policies—provided the ministry’s budget matches the government’s ambitions to “bring Chile towards an information and knowledge society,” as Gonzalo Blumel, the country’s minister secretary-general of the presidency, put it in a statement issued after the 31 May vote. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Europe’s Top Science Funder Shows High-Risk Research Pays Off

A popular and unusual self-review carried out by Europe’s most prestigious science funder is back. The annual assessment, now in its third year, found that nearly one in five projects by the European Research Council led to a scientific breakthrough. [Nature News] Editorial

Go for Launch: A Former Astronaut Becomes Spain’s Science Minister

Spain has a ministry of science again—and none other than the first Spanish astronaut is leading it. The new transition government led by socialist Pedro Sánchez announced that Pedro Duque, who visited space twice, will be at the helm of the newly created Ministry for Science, Innovation, and Universities. The announcement was cheered by the Spanish scientific community, which has long suffered from declining budgets and bureaucratic hurdles. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The 11^th Asian and Pan-Pacific Connective Tissue Society Symposium and the 3^rd Academic Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Matrix Biology (CSMB)
November 16-20, 2018
Hangzhou, China

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

NEW Research Associate – Regenerative Medicine (University of Bristol)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Skeletal Muscle and Tendon Connective Matrix Biology and Mechanotransduction (Weill Cornell Medical College)

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)

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.

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