Extracellular Matrix News Volume 9.41 | Oct 18 2018

TOP STORY

ITGBL1 Modulates Integrin Activity to Promote Cartilage Formation and Protect against Arthritis

Investigators found that developing chondrocytes expressed integrin-β-like 1 (Itgbl1) at specific stages, inhibiting integrin signaling and promoting chondrogenesis. Unlike cytosolic integrin inhibitors, ITGBL1 was secreted and physically interacted with integrins to down-regulate activity. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Vangl2-Dependent Regulation of Membrane Protrusions and Directed Migration Requires a Fibronectin Extracellular Matrix

Researchers showed the fibronectin extracellular matrix was essential for cell surface Vang-like 2 (Vangl2) expression, membrane-protrusive activity, and directed migration. Manipulation of fibronectin protein levels rescued protrusion and directed migration phenotypes in vangl2 mutant embryos, but was not sufficient to restore planar cell polarity and convergence and extension movements. [Development] Abstract

Amino Acid Substitution in the C-Terminal Domain of Collagen XVII Reduces Laminin-332 Interaction Causing Mild Skin Fragility with Atrophic Scarring

The authors used keratinocytes from patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa with late onset, which exclusively produce a collagen XVII mutant with the p.R1303Q mutation within its extracellular C-terminus. Although this mutant was normally expressed and targeted to the membrane and the expression of integrins α3β1, α6β4 and of laminin-332 was unchanged, the keratinocytes were less adhesive, showed migratory defects and decreased clonogenic growth. [Matrix Biol] Abstract

Multi-Compartment Scaffold Fabricated via 3D-Printing as In Vitro Co-Culture Osteogenic Model

Scientists explored the design and manufacturing of multi-compartments structures in poly(ε-caprolactone) 3D-printed by fused filament fabrication technique. The construct was designed with interconnected stalls to host stem cells and endothelial cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

LncRNA ENST00000453774.1 Contributes to Oxidative Stress Defense Dependent on Autophagy Mediation to Reduce Extracellular Matrix and Alleviate Renal Fibrosis

HK2 cells induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in vitro, and the mice UUO model in vivo were used to simulate renal fibrosis. The expression of lncRNA 74.1 was significantly downregulated in the TGF-β-induced HK-2 cell fibrosis and clinical renal fibrosis specimens. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Effects of MicroRNA-370 on Mesangial Cell Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation by Binding to Canopy 1 in a Rat Model of Diabetic Nephropathy

Mesangial cells were collected and transfected with prepared mimic, inhibitor or small interfering RNA for analyzing the effect of miR-370 on diabetic nephropathy mice with the help of expression and cell biological processes detection. Canopy 1 was confirmed as a target gene of miR-370. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Human Testis Extracellular Matrix Enhances Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell Survival In Vitro

Hydrogel forms of human testicular ECM, porcine testicular ECM, porcine small intestinal submucosa ECM, and porcine urinary bladder ECM were used to coat tissue culture plates for human spermatogonial stem cell culture. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Generation of a 3D Liver Model Comprising Human Extracellular Matrix in an Alginate/Gelatin-Based Bioink by Extrusion Bioprinting for Infection and Transduction Studies

Investigators described the optimization of a bioink composed of alginate, gelatin and human ECM to print human HepaRG liver cells with a pneumatic extrusion printer. The resulting tissue model was tested for its suitability for the study of transduction by an adeno-associated virus vector and infection with human adenovirus 5. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Nanoengineered, Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Influences ECM-Related Gene Expression of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Scientists examined the effect of nanotopography on the expression of ECM proteins by human mesenchymal stem cells by analyzing the quantity and structure of the ECM on a nanogrooved surface. [Biomater Res] Full Article

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Extracellular Vesicles and Matrix Remodeling Enzymes: The Emerging Roles in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling, Progression of Diseases and Tissue Repair

The authors review the activities of extracellular vesicle-associated matrix-remodeling enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases, heparanases, hyaluronidases, aggrecanases, and their regulators such as extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducers and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases as novel means of matrix remodeling in physiological and pathological conditions. [Cells] Full Article

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

ACell and Southmedic Announce Canadian Launch of Cytal Wound Matrix and MicroMatrix

ACell, Inc. and Southmedic announced the Canadian launch of Cytal™ Wound Matrix and MicroMatrix™ devices. Cytal Wound Matrix, Cytal Burn Matrix and MicroMatrix are all comprised of ACell’s proprietary MatriStem Urinary Bladder Matrix technology, and facilitate the remodeling of functional, site-appropriate tissue. [ACell, Inc.] Press Release

Samumed Announces Sponsorship of Knee Osteoarthritis Registry Study

Samumed, LLC. announced its sponsorship of a registry study in collaboration with investigators at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. The study will focus on the evaluation of data collected from 100 knee osteoarthritis patients. [Samumed, LLC.] Press Release

‘Vast Majority’ of NIH Chimps to Be Moved to Retirement Sanctuary, Agency Says

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to move the “vast majority” of its chimpanzees formerly used for research to a sanctuary in Louisiana, Director Francis Collins told STAT. The NIH released a slate of decisions Thursday laying out its plans for the hundreds of chimps that are still living in agency-supported research facilities. [STAT News] Editorial

‘We Are Headed for a Very Dark Period.’ Brazil’s Researchers Fear Election of Far-Right Presidential Candidate

Beset by economic woes and dissatisfied with the left-wing politicians in power for most of the past 15 years, Brazil appears poised to make a hard turn and elect a far-right candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, as its next president. His rapid ascent has unnerved local researchers, who worry about the future of Brazilian science, the protection of the country’s biodiversity, and its role in the global struggle against climate change. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Outsider Takes Helm at Indian Research Giant

Shekhar Mande, a structural biologist, took over as director-general of India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), headquartered in New Delhi, which operates a network of 40 research labs around the country. Mande is the first outsider to take on the top job at CSIR since 1984. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW FEBS: From Molecules to Living Systems
July 6-11, 2019
Krakow, Poland

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NEW Faculty Position – Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cellular Immunology and Lattice Light-Sheet Imaging (University of New South Wales)

Multiple Tenure-Track Faculty Positions – Regenerative Biology and Engineering (University of Colorado Boulder)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Regeneration (University of Michigan)

Tenure Track Assistant Professor – Biochemistry and Life Sciences (University of Delaware)

Group Leader – Organoid Modelling of Disease (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Cell Signaling & ECM (University of Rochester)

Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular Matrix Research (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Position – Cutaneous Wound Repair (University of Pennsylvania)

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

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