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Store-Operated Ca2+ Channels in Mesangial Cells Inhibit Matrix Protein Expression
Investigators determined the effect of store-operated Ca2+ channels in mesangial cells on extracellular matrix protein expression. In cultured human mesangial cells, activation of store-operated Ca2+ channels by thapsigargin significantly decreased fibronectin protein expression and collagen IV mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. [J Am Soc Nephrol] Abstract |
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| | | PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) |
DDR2 (Discoidin Domain Receptor 2) Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis and Is a Potential Therapeutic Target in Osteoporosis
Researchers investigated the role of DDR2 in osteoclastogenesis, the formation of cells responsible for bone resorption. Overexpression of DDR2 inhibited the expression of osteoclastic markers, osteoclast maturation, and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in a culture model of bone matrix. [Sci Signal] Abstract
Testes-Specific Protease 50 Promotes Cell Invasion and Metastasis by Increasing NF-kappaB-Dependent Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression
Scientists found that testes-specific protease 50 overexpression greatly promoted cell migration, invasion, adhesion and formation of the stellate structures in 3D culture system in vitro as well as lung metastasis in vivo. Conversely, knockdown caused the opposite changes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article
Fate of Distal Lung Epithelium Cultured in a Decellularized Lung Extracellular Matrix
To understand the functionality of type II epithelial cells in isolation, the authors tracked their fate in decellularized matrices and assessed their ability to contribute to barrier function by differentiation to type I alveolar epithelial cells. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract
Biophysical Induction of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Podosomes
One proposed mechanism by which vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) degrade matrix is through the use of podosomes, transient actin-based structures that are thought to play a role in extracellular matrix degradation by creating localized sites of matrix metalloproteinase secretion. The authors present the first evidence that physiological, physical stimuli mimicking cues present within the microenvironment of diseased arteries can induce podosome formation in VSMCs. [PLoS One] Full Article
Epithelial Basement Membrane Proteins Perlecan and Nidogen-2 Are Up-Regulated in Stromal Cells after Epithelial Injury in Human Corneas
Scientists investigated stromal production of corneal epithelial basement membrane (BM) proteins in wounded human corneas using immunohistochemistry. Perlecan and nidogen-2 proteins were detected in the BM itself and at low levels in keratocytes in all unwounded corneas. After epithelial injury, both perlecan and nidogen-2 were expressed at high levels in stromal keratocytes, including superficial keratocytes in the early phases of apoptosis. [Exp Eye Res] Abstract
67-kDa Laminin Receptor (LR1) Contributes to Hypoxia-Induced Migration and Invasion of Trophoblast-Like Cells by Mediating Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9
Forced overexpression of LR1 augmented JEG3 cell migration and invasion, and enhanced MMP9 expression and activity. Additionally, blockade of MMP9’s effect with its neutralizing antibody reduced LR1 elevation-promoted trophoblastic invasion. [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] Abstract
Extracellular Matrix Glycoprotein-Derived Synthetic Peptides Differentially Modulate Glioma and Sarcoma Cell Migration
Researchers investigated the biological effects of peptides derived from collagen type IV and tenascin-C compared to the well-known RGD peptide originally discovered in fibronectin. [Cell Mol Neurobiol] Abstract
Modulation of Tumor Cell Migration, Invasion and Cell-Matrix Adhesion by Human Monopolar Spindle-One-Binder 2
Scientists demonstrated that overexpression of human monopolar spindle-one-binder 2 (hMOB2) significantly reduced the cell motility and enhanced the cell-matrix adhesion, while the hMOB2 knockdown decreased not only the cell motility, but also the cell-matrix adhesion. [Oncol Rep] Abstract
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| | | REVIEWS |
Organs-On-Chips at the Frontiers of Drug Discovery
The authors examine new opportunities for the application of organ-on-chip technologies in a range of areas in preclinical drug discovery, such as target identification and validation, target-based screening, and phenotypic screening. [Nat Rev Drug Discov] Abstract
Podosomes and Invadopodia: Tools to Breach Vascular Basement Membrane
New evidence has mechanistically linked the breaching of vascular basement membrane with the formation of specific cellular micro-domains known as podosomes and invadopodia. The authors review and comment on these recent findings and explore the functions of podosomes and invadopodia within the context of pathological processes such as tumor dissemination and tumor angiogenesis. [Cell Cycle] Abstract
Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field.
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