Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.44 | Nov 13 2014

Type-1 Pericytes Accumulate after Tissue Injury and Produce Collagen in an Organ-Dependent Manner
Using Nestin-GFP/NG2-DsRed transgenic mice, investigators induced pulmonary, renal, cardiac, spinal cord, and cortical injuries to investigate the contributions of pericyte subtypes to fibrous tissue formation in vivo. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Pro-Elastogenic Effects of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Smooth Muscle Cells on Cultured Aneurysmal Smooth Muscle Cells
Scientists determined the utility of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to stimulate elastin and elastic matrix synthesis and assembly by aneurysmal SMCs. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Calcifying Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Osteoblasts: Independent Cell Types Exhibiting Extracellular Matrix and Biomineralization-Related Mimicries
In order to gain insight into the genes and mechanisms driving a pathological calcification process researchers analyzed the transcriptional profile of calcifying vascular smooth muscle cells. Extracellular matrix and biomineralization genes represented common denominators between pathological vascular and physiological bone calcifications. [BMC Genomics] Abstract | Full Article

Flexible, Micro-Porous Chitosan-Gelatin Hydrogel/Nano Fibrin Composite Bandages for Treating Burn Wounds
Researchers developed chitosan-gelatin hydrogel/nano fibrin ternary composite bandages (CGFB) for the treatment of burn wounds. Enhanced collagen deposition and re-epithelialization with intact matured epidermis formation was noted in CGFBs treated animal groups compared to the experimental controls. [RSC Adv] Abstract

Preferential, Enhanced Breast Cancer Cell Migration on Biomimetic Electrospun Nanofiber ‘Cell Highways’
Electrospinning produces highly aligned, cell-adhesive nanofiber matrices by applying a strong electric field to a polymer-containing solution. The resulting fibrous microstructure and morphology closely resembles in vivo tumor microenvironments suggesting their use in analysis of migratory potentials of metastatic cancer cells. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article

Enhancing Cell Migration in Shape-Memory Alginate-Collagen Composite Scaffolds: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Assessment for Intervertebral Disc Repair
Scientists assessed how collagen incorporation on preformed alginate scaffolds influences the physical properties of the final composite scaffold. In a second part of this study, they investigated the effects of alginate-collagen scaffold when seeded with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. [J Biomater Appl] Abstract

Topographical Extracellular Matrix Cues on Anticancer Drug-Induced Cytotoxicity in Stem Cells
The authors report periodic lateral topographic striations, with a pitch ranging approximately from 200 to 800 nm with an intention to mimic a common geometry of fibrils in the extracellular matrix such as collagen or elastin, as a platform for investigating anticancer drug-induced cytotoxicity in stem cells. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Constitution of Fibrin-Based Niche for In Vitro Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Keratinocytes
Investigators hypothesized that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) may be directed to epidermal lineage in vitro on a specifically designed biomimetic and biodegradable niche. Cells were seeded on the test niche constituted with fibrin, fibronectin, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, laminin V, platelet growth factor, and epidermal growth factor in the presence of cell-specific differentiation medium. [Biores Open Access] Full Article

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

Oxford University Press Launches New Journal Regenerative Biomaterials
Regenerative Biomaterials aims to provide a leading international forum for the publication of original research papers, reviews, clinical case reports, and commentaries on the topics relevant to the development of advanced regenerative biomaterials. [Oxford University Press] Press Release

From our sponsor: Pluripotent cell isolation for regenerative medicine. Request a free wallchart from Nature.

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)

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

Assistant Professor – Cell-Matrix Manipulation (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Biomimetic Tissue Constructs (Johns Hopkins University)

Studentship – Cell Migration (University of East Anglia)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Collaborative Training Program in Musculoskeletal Health Research (Western University)

Postdoctoral Position – Proteases and Extracellular Matrix (GENYO)

Research Associate Position – Skeletal Research Center (Case Western Reserve University)

Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Biomimetic Tissue Constructs (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Position – Matrix Biology (Boise State University)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (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.