Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.32 | Aug 16 2018

TOP STORY

Extracellular Matrix Protein 1 Promotes Follicular Helper T Cell Differentiation and Antibody Production

Investigators demonstrated that a secreted protein extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is critical for T-follicular helper (T_FH) differentiation and antibody response. A lack of ECM1 inhibited T_FH cell development and impaired germinal center B-cell reactions and antigen-specific antibody production in an antigen-immunized mouse model. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Improving Efficacy and Safety of Agonistic Anti-CD40 Antibody through Extracellular Matrix Affinity

Agonistic anti-CD40 antibodies have demonstrated considerable anti-tumor effects yet can also elicit serious treatment-related adverse events, such as liver toxicity. The authors engineered a variant that binds extracellular matrix through a super-affinity peptide derived from placenta growth factor-2 to enhance anti-CD40’s effects when administered locally. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

RNA Binding Protein HuR Regulates Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression and pH Homeostasis Independent of Controlling HIF-1α Signaling in Nucleus Pulposus Cells

Investigators confirmed decreased levels of secreted collagen I and Sdc4 and increased pro-MMP13 in HuR-knockdown cells. In addition, messenger ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation demonstrated HuR binding to Tgf-β3 and Sdc4 mRNAs. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Cancer Cell Ability to Mechanically Adjust to Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Correlates with Their Invasive Potential

Scientists investigated how cancer cells biomechanically interact with and respond to the stiffness of the ECM. Probing the adaptability of cancer cells to altered ECM stiffness using optical tweezers based micro-rheology and deformability cytometry, they found that only malignant cancer cells have the ability to adjust to collagen matrices of different densities. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract | Full Article

Asthmatic Bronchial Epithelial Cells Promote the Establishment of a Hyaluronan-Enriched, Leukocyte-Adhesive Extracellular Matrix by Lung Fibroblasts

Investigators observed increased expression of hyaluronan synthases HAS2 and HAS3 in human lung fibroblasts co-cultured with asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells. [Respir Res] Full Article

Nonlinear Elasticity of the ECM Fibers Facilitates Efficient Inter-Cellular Communication

Scientists explored the effects of elastic nonlinearity of the fibers contained in the ECM on the transmission of mechanical loads between contracting cells. [Biophys J] Abstract

Shikimic Acid Prevents Cartilage Matrix Destruction in Human Chondrocytes

Researchers found that treatment with shikimic acid prevented tumor necrosis factor-α-induced degradation of type II collagen and aggrecan ECM in human primary chondrocytes culture in vitro. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

Dose-Dependent Antifibrotic Effect of Chrysin on Regression of Liver Fibrosis: The Role in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling

Scientists investigated the effect of chrysin on established ECM overproduction in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) mouse liver fibrosis. Experimental fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 2 mL/kg CCl₄ twice a week, for seven weeks. [Dose Response] Full Article

Synthetic Matrix Enhances Transplanted Satellite Cell Engraftment in Dystrophic and Aged Skeletal Muscle with Comorbid Trauma

Researchers engineered a synthetic hydrogel-based matrix with optimal mechanical, cell-adhesive, and protease-degradable properties that promoted muscle satellite cells survival, proliferation, and differentiation. [Sci Adv] Full Article | Press Release

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Matrix Molecules and Skin Biology

The authors present the composition and features of the skin ECM during homeostasis and regeneration. They discuss genetic and acquired ECM diseases affecting skin, and provide a short outlook to therapeutic strategies for them. [Semin Cell Dev Biol] Abstract

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

AgeX Therapeutics Acquires Technology to Regulate Immune Tolerance – Technology Supports Company’s Strategy for Off-the-Shelf (Allogeneic) Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine Products Through the Use of the HLA-G Gene

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has acquired certain patents and patent applications from Escape Therapeutics relating primarily to the use of the HLA-G gene to suppress rejection of transplanted cells and tissues. [AgeX Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

RXi Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Results from Phase I/II Trial with RXi-109 for Retinal Scarring

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced positive results with RXI-109 in a Phase I/II clinical trial. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

What Pakistan’s New Government Means for Science

Pakistan is reeling from a political earthquake — and researchers are both nervous and excited. On 18 August, the former cricket superstar Imran Khan is expected to be sworn in as prime minister. The incoming administration promises to use science to alleviate poverty, but it is facing an imminent economic crisis. [Nature News] Editorial

How Unpaywall Is Transforming Open Science

Unpaywall has become indispensable to many academics, and tie-ins with established scientific search engines could broaden its reach. On 26 July, Elsevier announced plans to integrate Unpaywall into its Scopus database searches, allowing it to deliver millions more free-to-read papers to users than it does currently. [Nature News] Editorial

Iranian Students Protest US Visa Slowdown

The rate at which the US government grants visas to prospective students from Iran has declined dramatically during President Donald Trump’s time in office, according to US government data. And the visas that are granted take more time to arrive, according to a group of Iranian students that is petitioning the Trump administration to speed up the process. [Nature News] Editorial

Hundreds of Researchers from Harvard, Yale and Stanford Were Published in Fake Academic Journals

In the so-called “post-truth era,” science seems like one of the last bastions of objective knowledge, but what if science itself were to succumb to fake news? Over the past year, German journalist Svea Eckert and a small team of journalists went undercover to investigate a massive underground network of fake science journals and conferences. [Vice Media LLC] Editorial

NEW Matrix Biology Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Meeting 2018
December 4-7, 2018
Auckland, New Zealand

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

NEW Faculty Positions – Biomedical Research (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

NEW Assistant Professorship – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Keck School of Medicine of USC)

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

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)

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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