Articles tagged with Extracellular Matrix
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have engineered 3D human spinal cord tissues and implanted them in lab models with long-term chronic paralysis, resulting in an 80% success rate in restoring walking abilities. The team aims to conduct clinical trials in human patients within a few years to make the treatment commercially available.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new laboratory test model to investigate fibrosis treatments without the use of animals. The model uses human cells and replicates not only the structure of human tissue but also its mechanics, enabling scientists to study the underlying mechanisms of fibrosis and test potential treatments.
Researchers studied Bacillus subtilis biofilms using X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, finding that calcium ions accumulate in the matrix while zinc, manganese, and iron ions accumulate along wrinkles. These findings suggest a link between structure, nutrients, water, and bacterial behavior.
Researchers at TIFR Hyderabad discover that soft ECM allows Filamin to push out precancerous cells, while stiff ECM enables their growth. This study sheds light on the link between ECM stiffness and increased cancer incidence.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen studied how blocking certain enzymes affects brain adaptability in healthy and diseased mice. In healthy mice, inhibiting these enzymes blocked neuronal plasticity, while in stroke-affected mice, it restored lost plasticity.
Researchers have created reconstructable uterus-derived materials (RUMs) to aid in the recovery of damaged uteruses. The materials, which can be formed into different states and shapes, prevent intrauterine adhesion and promote angiogenesis, endometrial regeneration, and muscle collagen rebuilding.
Researchers have developed a prostate cancer organoid that can mimic the patient-specific microenvironment, opening up new avenues for targeted treatments. The study reveals that extracellular matrix regulates EZH2 activity and efficacy of inhibitors, as well as identifies potential new therapeutic targets like DRD2.
Dysfunction in mitochondrial respiration leads to imbalanced extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue organization in cartilage. Research discovered the respiratory chain plays a key role in maintaining ECM balance.
A team of scientists has investigated the impact of mechanical properties on epithelial tissues, finding that extracellular matrix stiffness dictates self-patterning and growth. The study's findings suggest a complex relationship between cell density and motility, with implications for aging and diagnostics of medical pathologies.
A new technique developed by HUG-CELL reconstructs livers in the laboratory using extracellular matrix and human cells. The method, which can be used to produce other organs as well, shows promise for increasing organ supply and reducing rejection risks for transplant patients.
Researchers found alterations in gene expression, neurotransmitter regulation, and extracellular matrix organization in brains affected by congenital Zika syndrome. The study integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data to identify key molecular mechanisms underlying the disease.
Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University propose using plant-based hydrogels to grow tissues and organs, and as a delivery vehicle for highly toxic drugs. The hydrogels can suppress cell proliferation in malignant brain tumors and preserve neural stem cells' potential.
A team of researchers from Washington University in St. Louis has determined for the first time how the process of wound healing begins, shedding light on fibrosis and cancer metastasis. They discovered a recursive process between fibroblasts and their environment, which can be controlled by manipulating cellular responses to drugs.
Scientists have identified a role for microglia in clearing the extracellular matrix, allowing new synapses to form and improving memory. Disrupting this process can lead to memory problems, including those seen in Alzheimer's and anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Texas A&M University created superior bone grafts using primitive stem cells, which help create fertile scaffolds needed for bone regeneration. These grafts could reduce inflammation, pain, and the need for revision surgeries, promoting swift and precise bone healing.
Researchers at CSIC pioneer the use of whole living cells in dynamic combinatorial chemistry systems to discover new bioactive molecules. This methodology has great potential in rapidly identifying new molecules with potential biological activity, and could lead to faster discovery of bioactive compounds.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a device that can detect changes in the extracellular matrix, a structure surrounding cells in the human body, to monitor disease progression. This non-destructive method uses sound waves to measure stiffness, providing an alternative to damaging methods.
Researchers developed a new technique to map three-dimensional forces between cells and their surroundings, shedding light on tissue formation, wound healing, and tumor spread. The method uses traction force microscopy and enables the analysis of multicellular clusters in unprecedented detail.
Scientists at Inserm have cultivated human cells in the lab to produce extracellular matrix deposits high in collagen, which can be woven into yarn to replace damaged blood vessels. This biologically derived material is expected to be well-accepted by the body and could lead to clinical trials.
After a stroke, sticky exosomes accumulate on the lining of blood vessels, activating platelets and causing them to adhere to the vessel walls. This buildup can lead to additional brain damage and worsen stroke outcomes. Synthetic exosomes may hold promise as potential treatment options.
Researchers have identified the key challenges and breakthrough technologies for applying skeletal muscle progenitor cells in cell therapy. The study highlights the importance of suitable scaffolds and extracellular matrices in regulating progenitor cell behavior, which is crucial for successful tissue regeneration.
Scientists have created a hydrogel matrix whose stiffness can be reversibly tuned using light, enabling the investigation of how cells respond to dynamic changes in their environment. The matrix has potential applications in cancer immunotherapy and understanding cell migration patterns.
Researchers are developing a new material that delivers drugs directly to damaged heart tissue, preserving the structural support network and preventing further damage. The gel will slowly release the drugs over four weeks, promoting blood vessel creation and enzyme inhibition.
Scientists have mapped the signal determining pancreatic progenitor cell fate, enabling the manufacturing of insulin-producing beta cells from stem cells. The research facilitates combating type 1 diabetes by understanding how extracellular matrix interactions influence cell destiny.
Scientists from CNRS and partners have found a promising strategy for protecting neurons after a stroke, involving the extracellular matrix. The new approach, using an agent mimicking structural components of this matrix, has shown effectiveness in rats and may complement existing clot-elimination techniques.
Researchers found that acute changes in extracellular matrix components can trigger rapid changes in cell metabolism and migration, potentially leading to cancer metastasis. The study suggests targeting tumor metabolism by altering the extracellular matrix could lead to new cancer treatments.
Two new Collaborative Research Centers at Charité will investigate the use of diagnostic imaging technology to visualize pathological changes in the extracellular matrix. This research may contribute to the early detection of diseases and improve therapy monitoring. The centers aim to uncover new insights into memory consolidation and ...
Scientists have found that a specific protein called thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) is elevated in wounds of patients with diabetes and contributes to delayed wound healing. Removing or inhibiting TSP2 from mice with diabetes led to improved wound healing, suggesting it could be a target for new treatments.
Researchers at UConn Health developed a novel hybrid hydrogel system to promote endochondral ossification, a process critical for long bone formation. The system uses fibrin and hyaluronan to guide the growth of cartilage templates, which release factors that initiate vascularized bone formation.
Scientists create nanoparticles that can penetrate extracellular matrix surrounding tumors, delivering chemotherapies specifically to cancer cells. The 'protocell' nanoparticle overcomes previous limitations by carving through the matrix and releasing drugs in acidic cell interiors, showing promise for treating solid tumors.
Researchers have identified two key genes that contribute to the aggressive spread of neuroblastomas. The study found that high levels of LMO1 expression promote metastasis in MYCN-induced neuroblastoma by dysregulating extracellular matrix genes, paving the way for new therapies.
Two researchers, Suneel Apte and Jeffrey Holmes, have been awarded grants to study the extracellular matrix, a key component in heart health and disease. Their research aims to uncover novel disease markers and targets for developing drugs to treat cardiovascular disease.
A team of engineers at the University of Pennsylvania has developed a new model that better simulates how cells interact with their environment and form focal adhesions. This understanding is crucial for diagnosing and combating cancer, as it reveals the importance of dynamic processes in cellular behavior.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that ischemic injury affects the extracellular matrix in the retina and optic nerve, leading to changes in protein composition. These changes can influence cell survival or death, contributing to eye diseases.
The study provides the first visual evidence of a physical link by which genes can receive mechanical cues from their microenvironment. The images show thread-like cytofilaments reaching into and traversing a human breast cell's chromatin-packed nucleus, revealing a direct connection to the nucleus.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that cold plasma can promote bone formation by enhancing cell/matrix attachments and increasing focal adhesion kinase activation. The study suggests that the technology could be used to improve bone healing in various medical applications.
Researchers review phosphonate-based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, which exhibit selective and potent activity on bone resorption. The authors propose these alternatives as a potential therapeutic target for chronic inflammation and cancer.
The ROBO1 signaling pathway enhances cellular contractility and adhesion in response to stiff environments, allowing cells to retain shape and position. This upregulation of ROBO1 may prevent cell invasion and delay tumor progression.
Researchers found that nanostructured phases of segmental polyurethanes can guide endothelial cells into networks, crucial for vascular structure formation. Material-induced solid state phase morphology provides cues to endothelial cells without biological stimuli.
Scientists at Brown University have successfully cultured cells to produce extracellular matrix with strength comparable to natural tissues. By using specialized molds to guide cell growth and alignment, the researchers created ECMs with specific mechanical properties, such as collagen fibers aligned along a tendon-like structure.
A Cornell study reveals that stiffer breast tissue in obese women promotes tumor growth, changing the extracellular matrix's consistency similar to tumors. This finding may require finer-scale imaging techniques in mammograms for early detection.
Researchers have developed a brain-friendly interface using an extracellular matrix environment, which can adapt to the mechanical properties of brain tissue and acquire neural recordings. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of limb loss and spinal cord injuries.
Penn researchers developed mathematical models of collagen matrix stiffness, providing insights into fibrosis, cirrhosis, and certain cancers. The models show that nonlinear elasticity can arise from the ECM's fibrous structure, allowing for long-range force transmission and bridging formation.
A study published in The American Journal of Pathology suggests that matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) plays a pivotal role in disrupting the brain/spinal cord barrier, cell death, and functional deficits after spinal cord injury (SCI). Mice deficient in MMP-3 showed improved functional recovery and smaller volumes of injured tissue.
Researchers at Penn and NIH found a novel mechanism of cell movement in 3D matrices, where the nucleus acts as a piston to propel cells forward. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases like cancer and biofilm formation.
High matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression is associated with increased regional angiogenesis and degradation of collagen IV in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. This upregulation leads to microvessel density and basement membrane damage after cerebral infarction.
A Harvard-led team identified a possible mechanism by which normal cells turn malignant in mammary epithelial tissues. They discovered that the physical forces and chemical environment in dense breast tissue can drive cells into an invasive, proliferating mode.
Researchers developed tiny biomolecular tweezers to study mechanical forces' impact on cell and protein activity. The devices precisely stretch cells and molecules, allowing simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, enabling high-throughput assessment of force effects on a broad scale.
Researchers developed biomolecular tweezers to precisely stretch cells and molecules, studying biochemical activity and receptor binding. The device enables high-throughput capability for assessing the effects of mechanical forces on a broad scale.
Researchers have created a highly aligned nanofibrous scaffold derived from decellularized human fibroblasts, allowing cells to thrive and mimic the natural extracellular matrix. The scaffold's uniform composition and low immune response make it suitable for engineering softer tissues like skin, blood vessels, and muscle.
Magdalena Bezanilla's four-year, $600,000 grant will help explore how cells control delivery of building blocks for the extracellular matrix in plants. The research will use a moss species with a known genome to manipulate DNA changes and evaluate protein secretion effects.
Researchers at NUS have discovered that outer skin cells can form suspended bridges during wound healing, paving the way for better wound treatment and artificial skin design. The study sheds light on how skin cells migrate over regions devoid of support from the extracellular matrix.
Fibronectin play a crucial role in wound healing and embryonic development, but its role in disease progression is not well understood. Researchers have identified molecular probes that can selectively attach to fibronectin fibers under different strain states, enabling the detection of strain events in both culture and living tissues.
Researchers from RUB have deciphered the role of proteins in cell environment, revealing tenascin C's crucial function in regulating astrocyte development. The absence of tenascin C leads to delayed cell division and migration, resulting in an increased number of mature astrocytes.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that the protein Shc plays a vital role in forming new blood vessels through its ability to coordinate signals from growth factors and extracellular matrix. This finding highlights the importance of understanding molecular mechanisms in disease development and treatment.
A team at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology found that tiny pieces of a protein called tenascin-C can bind to specific sites on another protein, helping to construct tissue. These small domains may help stop uncontrolled matrix deposition in conditions like fibrosis, making them potential tools for controlling diseases.
A Wayne State University researcher has found that continuous restructuring of the extracellular matrix, which supports tumor weight, enables highly invasive cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body. The study identified fibronectin and cofilin as crucial components required for this mechanical response.
A study by RUB researchers found that sugar residues in the extracellular matrix control the growth and survival of motoneurons, a type of nerve cell. The study, published in Journal of Neuroscience Research, reveals that certain sugar residues can promote or inhibit neurite growth and cell death.
Stem cells can sense their environment through touch, with deeper penetration into compliant matrices. The study found that softer surfaces allow cells to feel further, while stiffer surfaces limit their reach.
Researchers at Tufts University discovered bioactive peptides that stimulate the healing process by promoting angiogenesis and epithelialization. The peptides, synthesized from collagenase treatment of extracellular matrix, show promise in treating acute and chronic wound healing.