Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.31 | Aug 9 2018

TOP STORY

Extracellular Matrix Components HAPLN1, Lumican, and Collagen I Cause Hyaluronic Acid-Dependent Folding of the Developing Human Neocortex

Addition of hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1), lumican and collagen I to cultures of human fetal neocortex caused local changes in tissue stiffness, induced cortical plate (CP) folding, increased CP hyaluronic acid (HA), and required the HA-receptor CD168 and downstream ERK signaling. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

A Biodegradable Hybrid Inorganic Nanoscaffold for Advanced Stem Cell Therapy

Researchers developed a biodegradable nanoscaffold-based method for enhanced stem cell transplantation, differentiation, and drug delivery. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Glypican 4 and Mmp14 Interact in Regulating the Migration of Anterior Endodermal Cells by Limiting Extracellular Matrix Deposition

The authors showed that Glypican4, a member of the heparin sulphate proteoglycan family, was required for efficient migration of anterior endodermal cells during early segmentation, regulating Rac activation to maintain polarized actin-rich lamellipodia. [Development] Abstract

Tofacitinib and TPCA-1 Exert Chondroprotective Effects on Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Bovine Articular Cartilage Ex Vivo

Using a pre-clinical model researchers found that the inhibitors TPCA-1 and tofacitinib inhibited cartilage degradation and rescued formation of type II collagen under inflammatory conditions, while R406 and SB203580 only inhibited cartilage degradation, and SB203580 only partially. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Photobiomodulation of Extracellular Matrix Enzymes in Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells as a Potential Treatment for Intervertebral Disk Degeneration

Investigators showed that photobiomodulation selectively inhibited the production of ECM-modifying enzymes in a dose- and wavelength-dependent manner. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Effects of Ionizing Radiation and HPSE1 Inhibition on the Invasion of Oral Tongue Carcinoma Cells on Human Extracellular Matrices In Vitro

Scientists examined the potential use of human 3D myoma disc and Myogel models in in vitro chemoradiation studies by analyzing the effects of ionizing radiation (IR) and the combined effect of heparanase I (HPSE1) inhibitors and IR on oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion and MMP-2 and -9 production. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Fibronectin Amyloid-Like Aggregation Alters Its Extracellular Matrix Incorporation and Promotes a Single and Sparsed Cell Migration

The authors generated several fibronectin (Fn) oligomeric assemblies. These assemblies displayed various amyloid-like properties but were not cytotoxic. In presence of the more amyloid-like structured assemblies of Fn, cell ECM networks were altered and cell shapes shifted toward extended mesenchymal morphologies. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury Increases Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Metalloproteinase Inhibitors in Fetal Sheep Brain

Investigators hypothesized that ischemia at different durations of reperfusion affects the ECM protein composition of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases in the cerebral cortex of fetal sheep. [Dev Neurosci] Abstract

Inhibiting Autophagy Promotes Collagen Degradation by Regulating Matrix Metalloproteinases in Pancreatic Stellate Cells

Researchers investigated the effects of inhibiting autophagy on the collagen degradation of pancreatic stellate cells. Rats were injected dibutyltin dichloride to induce chronic pancreatitis. [Life Sci] Abstract

OCT4 Directly Regulates Stemness and Extracellular Matrix-Related Genes in Human Germ Cell Tumors

Scientists revealed germ cell tumor (GCT)-specific direct transcriptional target genes of OCT4. Conditional knockdown of OCT4 in GCT cell lines reduced cell proliferation by affecting both cell cycle and death. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Cardiovascular Progenitor Cells Cultured aboard the International Space Station Exhibit Altered Developmental and Functional Properties

Investigators assessed endothelial-like tube formation, cell cycling, and migratory capacity of cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs). Changes in microRNA expression were predicted to target extracellular matrix interactions and Hippo signaling in both neonatal and adult CPCs. [npj Microgravity] Full Article | Press Release

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Endothelial Cell News & Dermal Cell News.

Onset and Progression of Human Osteoarthritis—Can Growth Factors, Inflammatory Cytokines, or Differential miRNA Expression Concomitantly Induce Proliferation, ECM Degradation, and Inflammation in Articular Cartilage?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative whole joint disease, for which no preventative or therapeutic biological interventions are available. This is likely due to the fact that OA pathogenesis includes several signaling pathways, whose interactions remain unclear, especially at disease onset. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

Engineering Muscles and Organs in Space

The National Science Foundation has invested in two projects for fundamental biomedical engineering research onboard the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory for the benefit of life on Earth. [National Science Foundation] Press Release

Stanford Medicine Receives $10 Million Pledge from the Blavatnik Family Foundation to Fuel the Next Generation of Biomedical Innovation

The Blavatnik Family Foundation has pledged $10 million to Stanford Medicine for the training of graduate students in the biomedical sciences, powering the innovation and independence of talented young researchers. [Stanford University] Press Release

India Cracks Down on Plagiarism at Universities

India has for the first time introduced regulations to detect and punish acts of plagiarism at universities. Punishments for researchers or students caught breaking the rules range from requiring that a manuscript be withdrawn to sacking or expulsion, depending on the extent of the plagiarism. [Nature News] Editorial

Japanese Medical University Admits to Discriminating against Female Applicants

A prominent Japanese medical university said that school administrators have deliberately manipulated entrance exam scores to limit the number of women admitted. The confession helps explain the lopsided gender ratio of graduates from Tokyo Medical University and strengthens suspicions that similar practices have prevailed at other Japanese medical schools. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Top US Biomedical Institute Settles Gender-Discrimination Lawsuits

The Salk Institute has reached a deal with two of three female scientists who alleged unequal treatment. Cancer researchers Katherine Jones and Victoria Lundblad have agreed to drop all claims against the institute in La Jolla, California, according to a joint statement released. [Nature News] Editorial

Embattled French Health-Agency Chief Withdraws Leadership Bid

The chief of France’s national biomedical-research agency INSERM has said that he will not run for a second term, a decision that ends months of uncertainty about his future at the organization. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW The Tumor Cell: Plasticity, Progression and Therapy
March 3-6, 2019
New York, New York, United States

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

NEW Tenure Track Fellowships – Aging and Chronic Disease (University of Liverpool)

NEW Assistant or Associate Professor – Heart failure and Regenerative Medicine (University of Louisville)

Postdoctoral Position – ECM and Cardiovascular Development and Congenital Heart Disease (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Matrix Biology (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Cellular Mechanobiology (Washington University in St. Louis)

Postdoctoral Position – ECM and Cancer (The University of Illinois at Chicago)

Translational GlycOmics Program – Career Development in Glycoscience (BloodCenter of Wisconsin)

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.

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

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.