Volume 6.26 | Jul 9 - Extracellular Matrix News

Extracellular Matrix News 6.26 July 9, 2015

TOP STORY

New Measurements Reveal Differences between Stem Cells for Treating Retinal Degeneration
By growing two types of stem cells in a “3-D culture” and measuring their ability to produce retinal cells, researchers have found one cell type to be better at producing retinal cells. [Press release from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital discussing publication in Cell Stem Cell]
Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

A Highly Elastic and Rapidly Crosslinkable Elastin-Like Polypeptide-Based Hydrogel for Biomedical Applications
A photocrosslinked elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) gel using only canonical amino acids was presented. The biocompatibility of the engineered ELP hydrogels was shown in vitro as well as corroborated in vivo with subcutaneous implantation of hydrogels in rats. [Adv Funct Mater] Abstract | Press Release

A Plastic Relationship between Vinculin-Mediated Tension and Adhesion Complex Area Defines Adhesion Size and Lifetime
The authors define a plastic relationship between vinculin-mediated tension and adhesion complex area that controls fundamental cell-matrix adhesion properties. [Nat Commun] Full Article

RhoB Loss Induces Rac1-Dependent Mesenchymal Cell Invasion in Lung Cells through PP2A Inhibition
Scientists identified the small GTPase RhoB as a key regulator of bronchial cell morphology in a three-dimensional (3D) matrix. RhoB loss, which is frequently observed during lung cancer progression, induced an epithelial–mesenchymal transition characterized by an increased proportion of invasive elongated cells in 3D. [Oncogene] Abstract

Integrin α11β1 Regulates Cancer Stromal Stiffness and Promotes Tumorigenicity and Metastasis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The authors investigated integrin α11β1’s direct role in cancer progression by generating severe combined immune deficient mice deficient in integrin α11 expression. [Oncogene] Full Article

RalB Regulates Contractility-Driven Cancer Dissemination upon TGFβ Stimulation via the RhoGEF GEF-H1
Researchers showed that TGFβ-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes dissemination of A549 cells in a 2/3D assay, independently of proteolysis, by activating the Rho/ROCK pathway which generates actomyosin-dependent contractility forces that actively remodel the extracellular matrix, as assessed by Traction Force microscopy. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cell and Protein Compatible 3D Bioprinting of Mechanically Strong Constructs for Bone Repair
Scientists developed a method for using bioprinting to produce constructs from a thermoresponsive microparticulate material based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) at ambient conditions. Further study showed that protein-releasing microspheres could be incorporated into the bioprinted constructs. [Biofabrication]
Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

3D-Printed Bioresorbable Scaffold for Periodontal Repair
Investigators provide the first reported human case of treatment of a large periodontal osseous defect with a 3D-printed bioresorbable patient-specific polymer scaffold and signaling growth factor. The treated site remained intact for 12 months following therapy. [J Dent Res] Full Article | Press Release

Non-Muscle Myosin II Isoforms Have Different Functions in Matrix Rearrangement by MDA-MB-231 Cells
Researchers used a conditioning protocol to test the role of nonmuscle myosin II isoforms in cell mediated extracellular matrix arrangement using collagen constructs seeded with breast cancer cells expressing shRNA targeted to either the IIA or IIB heavy chain isoform. [PLoS One] Full Article

Proteomic Analysis of Integrin-Associated Complexes from Mesenchymal Stem Cells
To identify regulators of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) force-sensing, researchers sought to catalog MSC integrin-associated adhesion complex composition. Adhesion complexes formed by MSCs plated on the extracellular matrix ligand fibronectin were isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry. [Proteomics Clin Appl] Abstract

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REVIEWS

Integration of Actin Dynamics and Cell Adhesion by a Three-Dimensional, Mechanosensitive Molecular Clutch
The authors discuss how the physical interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and focal-adhesion-associated molecules mediate force transmission from the molecular clutch to the extracellular matrix. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

Collagen Based Polyurethanes—A Review of Recent Advances and Perspective
Considering versatile properties of the elongated fibrils and wide industrial and biomedical applications including biocompatibility of polyurethane, this review sheds a light on collagen based polyurethane materials with their potential applications especially focusing the bio-medical field. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract

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

INDUSTRY NEWS

AMAG Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Cord Blood Registry
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cord Blood Registry^®, the world’s largest stem cell collection and storage company serving pregnant women and their families, for $700 million. [Cord Blood Registry^®] Press Release

R-Japan Obtained Autologous Stem Cell Manufacturing License from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
R-Japan Co., Ltd. obtained the license of cell processing facility under the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Kinki Bureau of Health and Welfare. [R-Japan Co., Ltd. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

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POLICY NEWS

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

EVENTS

NEW Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2015
November 4-8, 2015
National Harbor, United States

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

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

NEW Biomedical Engineer – Cell Therapies & Regenerative Medicine (FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research)

Group Leader – Biomedical Engineering (Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht)

PhD Position – Drug Releasing, Nanostructured Biomaterials for Adult Stem Cells (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

Research Associate – Novel Therapeutics and Biomarkers in Peripheral Ischemia (University of Bristol)

Associate Scientist – Biomedical Engineering (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (INSERM)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Tissue Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Position – Proteoglycan and Dislocations (Inserm)

PhD Position – Tumor Biology (University of Duisburg-Essen)

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