Extracellular Matrix News 9.28 July 19, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYNrf2-Mediated Fibroblast Reprogramming Drives Cellular Senescence by Targeting the Matrisome Researchers showed that activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in fibroblasts induces cellular senescence. Using a combination of transcriptomics, matrix proteomics, chromatin immunoprecipitation and bioinformatics they demonstrated that fibroblasts with activated Nrf2 deposit a senescence-promoting matrix, with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 being a key inducer of the senescence program. [Dev Cell] Full Article | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Scientists report a novel methodology for the measurement of cell-matrix adhesion at single-cell resolution that could precisely evaluate the functions of biomaterials for adherent cell culture. A microfludic device, live single cell extractor, was used for cell extraction. [Anal Chem] Abstract Dentinogenic Effects of Extracted Dentin Matrix Components Digested with Matrix Metalloproteinases Dentin matrix components (DMCs) were initially isolated from healthy dentin and treated with recombinant matrix metalloproteinases. Subsequently, their effects on the behavior of primary pulp cells were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Digested DMCs modulated a range of pulp cell functions in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article Using novel decellularization methods with human pancreas, scientists produced an acellular, 3D biological scaffold and hydrogel amenable to tissue culture, transplantation and proteomic applications. [Sci Rep] Full Article How ECM remodeling contributes to 5-fluorouracil resistance acquisition was investigated from the viewpoints of epithelial-mesenchymal transition using in vitro ECM models mimicking native ECM in colorectal tumor tissue at three different malignant levels. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract Investigators determined the localization of fibronectin in radiation-induced brain injury and further characterized the composition of perivascular ECM, as well as identified the cell of origin for fibronectin by in situ hybridization. [Radiat Res] Abstract To gain more insight into the role played by response gene to complement (RGC)-32 in gliosis, researchers investigated its involvement in TGF-β-induced ECM expression and the upregulation of the reactive astrocyte markers α-smooth muscle actin and nestin. [Immunol Res] Abstract The authors evaluated whether the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases induced by cyclosporine A are calcineurin isoform specific. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Ulipristal Acetate Induces Cell Cycle Delay and Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix Investigators examined the in vitro mechanistic details of action of ulipristal acetate (UPA) on uterine leiomyomas. Primary cultures of leiomyoma cells were isolated from patient myomectomy specimens and incubated in the presence or absence of UPA at various concentrations. [Int J Mol Med] Abstract | Download Full Article Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Endothelial Cell News & Dermal Cell News. | |
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REVIEWSEvery Step of the Way: Integrins in Cancer Progression and Metastasis Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is fundamental to tissue integrity and human health. Integrins are the main cellular adhesion receptors that through multifaceted roles as signaling molecules, mechanotransducers and key components of the cell migration machinery are implicated in nearly every step of cancer progression from primary tumor development to metastasis. [Nat Rev Cancer] Abstract The Cancer Matrisome: From Comprehensive Characterization to Biomarker Discovery The authors present the recent developments in computational and proteomic technologies that have allowed the comprehensive characterization of the ECM of different tumor types and microenvironmental niches. [Semin Cell Dev Biol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSECM Therapeutics, Inc. A Regenerative Medicine Company ECM Therapeutics, Inc. has obtained worldwide exclusive rights from the University of Pittsburgh for an extensive patent portfolio in certain fields of use based upon ECM technologies developed in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Badylak at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and collaboratively with other Pitt investigators. [ECM Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release AxoGen, Inc. Appoints Lisa N. Colleran to Board of Directors AxoGen, Inc. announced it increased its Board of Directors to eight members and appointed Lisa N. Colleran as a director to fill the newly created position. Colleran was also appointed to the Audit Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. [AxoGen, Inc.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSOnline Portal of Thousands of Clinical Trials Could Aid Disease Research Under pressure to be more transparent about the results of drug testing studies, some companies have begun to share anonymized patient data from clinical trials with approved researchers on secure websites. An online platform aims to expand such efforts by offering a one-stop clearinghouse for those seeking to mine these data for new insights. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Dutch Publishing Giant Cuts Off Researchers in Germany and Sweden Elsevier stopped thousands of scientists in Germany from reading its recent journal articles, as a row escalates over the cost of a nationwide open-access agreement. The move comes just two weeks after researchers in Sweden lost access to the most recent Elsevier research papers, when negotiations on its contract broke down over the same issue. [Nature News] Editorial New Policy Aims to Free Scientists to Focus on Research, Avoid Jumping through Hoops Chinese scientific researchers are to be evaluated on the valuable contributions they make to their field rather than their number of published papers or academic credentials, according to a new policy issued by China’s top officials. The new policy is considered by experts to be the first volley of China’s resistance to efforts by the U.S. to suppress its high-tech development. [Chinanews.com] Editorial Hungarian Academy President Vows to Keep Fighting for Independence as Government Takes Control Hungary’s parliament approved an amendment that makes it legally possible to transfer a large part of the budget of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest to the country’s newly established Ministry of Innovation and Technology. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Cancer Geneticist Quits after Harassment Allegations Following numerous allegations that she harassed fellow employees, Nazneen Rahman, a cancer geneticist at the Institute of Cancer Research in the U.K., will leave her post. Rahman had already been on administrative leave since last November. Dozens of colleagues signed a letter last year describing bullying by Rahman. [The Scientist] Editorial Questions Raised about “Breakthrough” Therapies’ Clinical Support The FDAs “breakthrough therapy” designation has helped expedite the development and approval of more than 45 therapeutics in the last 5 years. But a study published in JAMA suggests that these interventions gain FDA approval on the basis of weaker clinical evidence than those that don’t have the breakthrough designation do—a finding that contrasts with public optimism about these drugs’ effectiveness. [The Scientist] Editorial Leaky Pipeline for Women Scientists Dries Up after They Win First Big Grant After they secure their first major research grant from the US National Institutes of Health, women are almost as successful as men at netting further awards from the agency, according to an analysis published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [Nature News] Editorial U.K. Votes to ‘Fully Participate’ in EMA after Brexit British politicians have voted for the U.K. to try to remain close to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) after Brexit. The voted-for text tasks the government with seeking to secure the right for the U.K. to “fully participate” in the regional regulatory network after it leaves the European Union. [FierceBiotech] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Alliance for Regenerative Medicine: Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa 2018 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Scholar – Cellular Mechanobiology (Washington University in St. Louis) NEW Postdoctoral Position – ECM and Cancer (The University of Illinois at Chicago) Translational GlycOmics Program – Career Development in Glycoscience (BloodCenter of Wisconsin) Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Muscular Dystrophy (Queen Mary University of London) Postdoctoral Associate – Biomedical Engineering (University of Minnesota) Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (NYU Langone Medical Center) Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of San Diego) 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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