Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.35 | Sep 6 2018

TOP STORY

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Regulates Glucose Metabolism through TXNIP Destabilization

Treatment of cells and xenografts with hyaluronidase triggered a robust increase in glycolysis. This was largely achieved through rapid receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated induction of the mRNA decay factor ZFP36, which targeted TXNIP transcripts for degradation. Induction of glycolysis by hyaluronidase was required for concomitant acceleration of cell migration. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Stem Cell Expansion and Fate Decision on Liquid Substrates Are Regulated by Self-Assembled Nanosheets

Researchers showed that cell adhesion to quasi-2D materials was mediated by the classical integrin/acto-myosin machinery, despite the absence of bulk mechanical properties of the underlying liquid substrate. They also showed that stem cell proliferation and fate decision are also regulated by the mechanical properties of these self-assembled protein nanosheets. [ACS Nano] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Transcriptome Profiling Reveals the Complexity of Pirfenidone Effects in IPF

Cell migration-inducing and hyaluronan-binding protein (CEMIP) expression in fibroblasts (FB) was downregulated in a glioma-associated oncogene homolog-dependent manner and CEMIP silencing in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) FB reduced collagen production and attenuated cell proliferation and migration. [Eur Respir J] Abstract

Suppressive Regulation of MFG-E8 on Latent-TGF-β-Induced Fibrosis via Binding to Integrin αV: The Significance in the Pathogenesis of Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

Treatment with rMFG-E8 significantly inhibited latent-TGF-β-induced collagen type I, αSMA and CCN2 expression in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts, suggesting that MFG-E8 inhibited the activation of latent-TGF-β as well as TGF-β signaling via binding to integrin αV. [Arthritis Rheumatol] Abstract

miR-137 Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis of Hypertrophic Scar Fibroblasts via Targeting Pleiotrophin

miR-137 was decreased in hypertrophic scars, however pleiotrophin (PTN) was up regulated in hypertrophic scars. miR-137 induced proliferation and metastasis in fibroblasts. This effect was accompanied by decreased expression of cyclin B1, matrix metalloproteinase 9, α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and type-I collagen mediated via the target of PTN. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Chemical Tools for Selective Activity Profiling of Endogenously Expressed MMP-14 in Multicellular Models

Scientists found that matrix metalloprotease 14 (MMP-14) was active in late stage tumors and was predominantly associated with stromal cell populations that had been activated by specific signaling molecules produced by tumor cells. [ACS Chem Biol] Abstract

Down-Regulation of Cathepsin S and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 via Src, a Non-Receptor Tyrosine Kinase, Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth and Metastasis

Knock-down of MMP-9 and cathepsin S (CTSS) using siRNAs resulted in a synergistic suppression of MDA-MB-231 cell invasion, which was similarly observed with pharmacological inhibitors. During the screening of new drug candidates that suppressed both CTSS and MMP-9, BJ-2302, a novel 7-azaindolin-2-one derivative, was discovered. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

MSC-Seeded Biomimetic Scaffolds as a Factory of Soluble RANKL in Rankl-Deficient Osteopetrosis

Magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite/collagen I seeded murine MSCs showed improved properties, as compared to 2D culture, in terms of proliferation and human soluble RANKL (hsRL) production, with respect to lentiviral hsRL-transduced cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article

The Netrin-4/Laminin γ1/Neogenin-1 Complex Mediates Migration in SK-N-SH Neuroblastoma Cells

Investigators showed that netrin-4 (NTN4) was broadly expressed in tumor, stroma and blood vessels of neuroblastoma patient samples. NTN4 was also shown to act as a cell adhesion molecule required for the migration induced by neogenin-1 in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. [Cell Adh Migr] Abstract

MMP-11 Promotes Papillary Thyroid Cell Proliferation and Invasion via the NF-κB Pathway

The authors suggested that the levels of proliferation and migration of cells transfected with matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP-11) siRNA were significantly reduced, while the levels in MMP-11-plasmid-transfected cells were increased. Variations in intracellular MMP-11 significantly altered the amount of activated p65 in thyroid cells, while p65 knockdown did not affect MMP-11 expression. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Mineralized Collagen/Mg-Ca Alloy Combined Scaffolds with Improved Biocompatibility for Enhanced Bone Response Following Tooth Extraction

Scientists found that mineralized collagen/Mg-Ca alloy combined scaffold enhanced cell proliferation and migration, in addition to MC3T3-E1 cells not showing a cytotoxicity response in vitro. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

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

Matrix Metalloproteinases in Pro-Atherosclerotic Arterial Remodeling

Dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is observed in pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis, which is associated with hyperactivation of MMPs, aberrant tissue remodeling and neovascularization of the growing atherosclerotic plaques. Investigators discuss the role of these enzymes in atherosclerosis pathology and the ways of their potential therapeutic use. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Extracellular Matrix Scaffolding in Angiogenesis and Capillary Homeostasis

The authors focus on the unique molecular composition and scaffolding of the capillary ECM, which provides structural support to blood vessels and regulates properties of endothelial cells and pericytes. They explain how the ECM scaffolding influences angiogenesis and capillary integrity. [Semin Cell Dev Biol] Abstract

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

AcuityBio and Cook Biotech Announce Strategic Collaboration

AcuityBio Inc. announced that it has entered into agreements with Cook Biotech Inc. Under the terms of the agreements, both companies will collaborate in the advancement of AcuityBio’s ABC103 lead product for lung cancer, which will utilize Cook Biotech’s proprietary extracellular matrix technology. [AcuityBio Corp.] Press Release

Gene Biotherapeutics Announces Sale of Excellagen Technology Platform; Retains Commercialization Rights for Greater China and Russian Federation

Gene Biotherapeutics Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with the U.S.-based Olaregen Therapeutix Inc. covering the sale of Excellagen^® flowable dermal matrix for wound healing. [Taxus Cardium] Press Release

NIH Grants Will Spur Innovation in Under-Resourced States

Four new grants will help to move scientific discoveries and technologies out of the lab and into commercial products that improve patient care and enhance human health. Awards for Regional Technology Transfer Accelerator Hubs for Institutional Development Award states will total almost $2 million in the first year and potentially more than $13 million over three years, pending the availability of funds. [National Institutes of Health] Press Release

AACR Apologizes for Delays in Retracting Papers

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has issued retractions, corrections, or editor’s notes for a handful papers across five of its journals and is sorry for the time it’s taken to do so, according to a statement published in Cancer Research. [The Scientist] Editorial

Russian Scientists Gain Access to Springer Nature Content through National License Agreement

Springer Nature and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) have signed a major agreement that will benefit researchers, post docs and students based at Russian research institutions. [Springer Nature Switzerland AG] Editorial

Open-Access Journal Editors Resign after Alleged Pressure to Publish Mediocre Papers

All ten senior editors of the open-access journal Nutrients resigned last month, alleging that the publisher, the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, pressured them to accept manuscripts of mediocre quality and importance. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

European Science Funders Ban Grantees from Publishing in Paywalled Journals

Frustrated with the slow transition toward open access in scientific publishing, eleven national funding organizations in Europe turned up the pressure. As of 2020, the group, which jointly spends about €7.6 billion on research annually, will require every paper it funds to be freely available from the moment of publication. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Signal Dynamics and Signal Integration in Development and Disease
January 27-31, 2019
Keystone, Colorado, United States

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

NEW Group Leader/Principal Investigator – In Vitro Vascular Systems (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular Matrix Research (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Position – Cutaneous Wound Repair (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Cell Signaling & Extracellular Matrix Deposition (LSU Health Science Center)

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

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

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)

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.