Volume 4.44 | Nov 7

Extracellular Matrix News 4.44 November 7, 2013

In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs

TOP STORY Inhibition of Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Cells and Suppression of Abdominal Fat Accumulation in High-Fat Diet-Feeding C57BL/6J Mice after Downregulation of Hyaluronic Acid The authors investigated the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) by degradation of pre-existing or synthesized HA and artificial inhibition of HA synthesis in adipogenesis. [Int J Obesity] Abstract   PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) Exposure to Mimivirus Collagen Promotes Arthritis To clarify the impact of viral collagens on the immune response of animals exposed to Mimiviridae, scientists investigated the localization of collagens in Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus particles and the response of mice to immunization with mimivirus particles. Using protein biotinylation, they first showed that viral collagen encoded by the ORF L71 is present at the surface of mimivirus particles. Exposure to mimivirus collagens elicited the production of anti-collagen antibodies in DBA/1 mice immunized intra-dermally with mimivirus protein extracts. [J Virol] Abstract The Structure of Integrin α1I Domain in Complex with a Collagen Mimetic Peptide Scientists determined the structure of the human integrin α1I domain bound to a triple-helical collagen peptide. The structure revealed that the α1I domain undergoes a major conformational change upon binding of the collagen peptide. This involves a large movement in the C-terminal helix of the αI domain that has been suggested to be the mechanism by which signals are propagated in the intact integrin receptor. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Reduces Extracellular Matrix-Associated Protein Expression in Human Uterine Fibroid Cells Using western blot analyses the authors found that at least 60% of uterine fibroids analyzed expressed low levels of vitamin D receptor (VDR). The biologically active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] function via binding to its nuclear VDR. They also found that 1,25(OH)2D3 induced VDR in a concentration-dependent manner, and reduced extracellular matrix-associated fibrotic and proteoglycans expressions in immortalized human uterine fibroid cell line. [Biol Reprod] Abstract Down-Regulation of Nogo-A by Collagen Scaffolds Impregnated with Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Treatment after Traumatic Brain Injury Promotes Axonal Regeneration in Rats The authors’ data showed that treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with human marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) impregnated into collagen scaffolds significantly decreased TBI-induced Nogo-A protein expression and increased axonal density compared to saline and hMSC-alone treatments. [Brain Res] Abstract Extracellular Matrix Composition and Interstitial pH Modulate NHE1-Mediated Melanoma Cell Motility Resarchers conclude that B16V cells prefer to invade a dermis-like rather than a basement membrane-like matrix; the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition strongly impacts on NHE1-dependent in vitro cell motility and invasion; and the lungs are metastasis‑prone and impair the efficiency of cariporide due to their ECM composition and the pulmonary interstitial pH. [Int J Oncol] Abstract Effect of Pore Size and Cross-Linking of a Novel Collagen-Elastin Dermal Substitute on Wound Healing Different formulations of dermal substitutes with unidirectional pores were tested in porcine full-thickness wounds in combination with autologous split skin mesh grafts. Effect on wound healing was evaluated both macro- and microscopically. Collagen-elastin scaffolds with a pore size of 80 or 100 μm resulted in good wound healing after one-stage grafting. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract Linear Ordered Collagen Scaffolds Loaded with Collagen-Binding Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Facilitate Recovery of Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats A natural biological functional scaffold was constructed using collagen tubes filled with collagen-binding basic fibroblast growth factor-loaded linear ordered collagen scaffold to promote regeneration in a 5-mm rat sciatic nerve transection model. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract   REVIEWS Signaling Pathways Linking Integrins with Cell Cycle Progression Integrins are adhesion receptors that allow cells to sense and respond to microenvironmental signals encoded by the extracellular matrix. They are crucial for the adhesion, survival, proliferation, differentiation and migration of most cell types. Here the authors consider recent studies to elucidate mechanisms of integrin-dependent cell cycle progression and discuss perspectives for future study. [Matrix Biol ] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field.   INDUSTRY NEWS BioTime Reports Interim Results on Renevia™ Clinical Safety Trial BioTime, Inc. announced that William Tew, Ph.D., BioTime’s Chief Commercial Officer will provide an update on the development of Renevia™ at an investor meeting in New York City. In his presentation, Dr. Tew will announce that enrollment in a safety trial evaluating Renevia™, a proprietary injectable matrix designed to facilitate the stable engraftment of transplanted cells, is complete. [BioTime, Inc.] Press Release Instron Forms Strategic Partnership in Regenerative Medicine Instron, a leading provider of testing equipment designed to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components, is collaborating with Dr. Julie Phillippi & Dr. Thomas Gleason at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. [Instron] Press Release From our sponsor: Free wallchart from Nature Neuroscience – Neural Stem Cells. Request your copy.   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 German Society for Matrix Biology March 20-22, 2014 Regenbusrg, Germany Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the extracellular matrix community.   JOB OPPORTUNITIES NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immune Regulation by Extracellular Matrix Proteins (Johns Hopkins University) Postdoctoral Research Fellows (Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine) PhD Position – Extracellular Matrix Research (Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology) PhD Studentship – Collagen IV and Angiogenesis (University of East Anglia) Assistant Professor – Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy (Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science) PhD Position – Molecular Cell Biology (Weizmann Institute of Science) Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 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? Email [email protected] with your feedback.

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