Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dylan T. Casey, Samer Bou Jawde, Jacob Herrmann, Vitor Mori, J. Matthew Mahoney, Bela Suki, Jason H. T. Bates
Summary: Fibrotic diseases cause progressive and irreversible scarring of connective tissue in organs, impacting tissue mechanics, particularly in the lung; a network model of collagen and elastin fibers in pulmonary tissue showed stress-strain behavior dependent on fiber interactions and relative stiffness; transition from linear to nonlinear stress-strain behavior was linked to stress percolation in the collagen fiber network, influenced by the waviness of collagen fibers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Meredith Whitehead, Syabira Yusoff, Sadia Ahmad, Lukas Schmidt, Manuel Mayr, Jillian Madine, David Middleton, Catherine M. Shanahan
Summary: Vascular amyloidosis, caused by the aggregation of peptide monomers into insoluble amyloid, is a common age-related pathology. This study found that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and HSPG2 in the extracellular matrix (ECM) play key roles in medin accumulation, contributing to the development of age-associated aortic medial amyloid (AMA).
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikos K. Karamanos, Achilleas D. Theocharis, Zoi Piperigkou, Dimitra Manou, Alberto Passi, Spyros S. Skandalis, Demitrios H. Vynios, Veronique Orian-Rousseau, Sylvie Ricard-Blum, Christian E. H. Schmelzer, Laurent Duca, Madeleine Durbee, Nikolaos A. Afratis, Linda Troeberg, Marco Franchi, Valentina Masola, Maurizio Onisto
Summary: Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic 3-dimensional network of macromolecules providing structural support for cells and tissues. It plays key regulatory roles in cell signaling, functions, and morphology. Different ECM components affect cell processes such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis, and immunity regulation, with structural alterations associated with disease progression.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gregory Halsey, Dipasha Sinha, Saphala Dhital, Xiaoying Wang, Naren Vyavahare
Summary: Elastin is a crucial protein that provides structural integrity to tissues by forming elastic fibers. The degradation of elastic fibers is linked to the manifestation and pathogenesis of various diseases. Stabilizing elastic fiber structures and repairing lost elastin may be effective strategies to reverse the effects of these diseases.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Gongming Gao, Song Chen, Yixuan Amy Pei, Ming Pei
Summary: Perlecan (Pln) is an essential component in the extracellular matrix and plays a crucial role in cartilaginous tissue function. This review outlines the structure, biomechanical properties, and signaling pathways of Pln, as well as its potential applications in cartilage regeneration.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Saber Shakibi, Patrick R. R. Onck, Erik van der Giessen
Summary: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are polysaccharides that play crucial roles in biological processes. They are important structural components of cartilage and the extracellular matrix of the brain. Coarse-grained modeling is essential due to the large size of GAGs.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THEORY AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Akiko Mammoto, Kienna Matus, Tadanori Mammoto
Summary: The aging population is rapidly increasing, with arterial aging leading to various age-related pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases. Age-related changes in the aortic wall affect stable circulation and lead to organ dysfunction. Remodeling of the extracellular matrix is a hallmark of aortic functional stiffening in aging.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sophie Jane Gilbert, Cleo Selina Bonnet, Emma Jane Blain
Summary: The extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage plays a crucial role in maintaining cartilage homeostasis and biomechanical functionality. Research shows that the response of cartilage to mechanical perturbations and abnormal loading can impact ECM composition and tissue health, potentially leading to cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis onset.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mark Petrovic, Elizabeth R. Kahle, Lin Han, Michele S. Marcolongo
Summary: The introduction of biomimetic proteoglycans (BPGs) into bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV) can increase the overall glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and micromodulus of the valve leaflets without compromising the sterilization and strengthening process. This targeted molecular engineering approach shows promise in improving the mechanical behavior and potential durability of BHVs.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biswajoy Ghosh, Subhashree Chatterjee, Ramgopal Dhakar, Saylee Muley, Pabitra Mitra, Jyotirmoy Chatterjee
Summary: The habit of chewing arecanut can lead to fibrosis in oral tissues, potentially causing cancer. Fibrosis is a progressive condition with limited clinical success, influenced by organ-specific variations and genetic predispositions. Research on the early and late phases of arecanut-induced fibrosis in skin revealed changes in extracellular matrix molecules, such as proteins and glycans, impacting the severity of the matrix state.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Astri J. Meen, Atanaska I. Doncheva, Yvonne Boettcher, Simon N. Dankel, Anne Hoffmann, Matthias Blueher, Johan Ferno, Gunnar Mellgren, Adhideb Ghosh, Wenfei Sun, Hua Dong, Falko Noe, Christian Wolfrum, Gunnar Pejler, Knut Tomas Dalen, Svein O. Kolset
Summary: This study investigated the impact of obesity and weight loss on the expression of specific proteoglycans in adipose tissue. Transcriptomic data from human bariatric surgery cohorts and gene analyses in mice revealed altered gene expression in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots. The gene expression changes in visceral adipose tissue were more pronounced after surgery, suggesting ongoing adipose tissue repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Elena Vasileva, Mikako Warren, Timothy J. Triche, James F. Amatruda
Summary: Ewing sarcoma is a malignant tumor that mainly affects children, adolescents, and young adults. The lack of a reliable genetic animal model has hindered the study of tumor cell and microenvironment interactions. By introducing human EWSR1-FLI1 gene into zebrafish, a new genetic model of Ewing sarcoma has been developed, which exhibits high penetrance and rapid tumor formation, providing a valuable tool for investigating the disease. Additionally, the study reveals the important role of the extracellular matrix in Ewing sarcoma tumor growth and suggests that targeting proteoglycan metabolism could be a potential novel therapy.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Toshihiro Tsuruda, Atsushi Yamashita, Misa Otsu, Masanori Koide, Yuko Nakamichi, Yoko Sekita-Hatakeyama, Kinta Hatakeyama, Taro Funamoto, Etsuo Chosa, Yujiro Asada, Nobuyuki Udagawa, Johji Kato, Kazuo Kitamura
Summary: This study found that osteoprotegerin protects against aortic rupture and dissection in Ang II-induced hypertension by inhibiting receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand activity and periostin expression.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Javier Barallobre-Barreiro, Tamas Radovits, Marika Fava, Ursula Mayr, Wen-Yu Lin, Elizaveta Ermolaeva, Diego Martinez-Lopez, Eric L. Lindberg, Elisa Duregotti, Laszlo Daroczi, Maria Hasman, Lukas E. Schmidt, Bhawana Singh, Ruifang Lu, Ferheen Baig, Aleksandra Malgorzata Siedlar, Friederike Cuello, Norman Catibog, Konstantinos Theofilatos, Ajay M. Shah, Maria G. Crespo-Leiro, Nieves Domenech, Norbert Hubner, Bela Merkely, Manuel Mayr
Summary: The study identified ADAMTS5 protease as critical for versican degradation in the heart and found that versican accumulation is associated with impaired cardiac function in heart failure patients and animal models. Versikine, an ADAMTS-specific cleavage product, accumulated in ischemic heart failure patients and following cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in animal models. The use of beta-blockers in heart failure patients was associated with a reduction in ECM deposition, particularly in the levels of versican, indicating a potential beneficial effect on cardiac chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan content.
Review
Cell Biology
Arianna Parnigoni, Manuela Viola, Evgenia Karousou, Simona Rovera, Cristina Giaroni, Alberto Passi, Davide Vigetti
Summary: Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays a crucial role in blood vessel structure, cell dedifferentiation, and immune cell recruitment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stylianos Z. Karoulias, Aude Beyens, Zerina Balic, Sofie Symoens, Anthony Vandersteen, Andrea L. Rideout, John Dickinson, Bert Callewaert, Dirk Hubmacher
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stylianos Z. Karoulias, Nandaraj Taye, Sarah Stanley, Dirk Hubmacher
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah Stanley, Zerina Balic, Dirk Hubmacher
Summary: Acromelic dysplasias are rare musculoskeletal disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins that cooperate in a biological pathway but have distinct roles in specific tissues. Most affected proteins interact with fibrillin microfibrils and regulate TGF-beta signaling, contributing to musculoskeletal development and homeostasis.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Anatomy & Morphology
Brandon Satz-Jacobowitz, Dirk Hubmacher
Summary: ADAMTS metalloproteases play a crucial role in musculoskeletal development and disease, with mutations leading to congenital musculoskeletal disorders. The focus should be on understanding the physiological substrates of ADAMTS proteases and the consequences of substrate cleavage, as well as on identifying and validating novel substrates and binding partners to further enhance our knowledge in this area.
DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zerina Balic, Saurav Misra, Belinda Willard, Dieter P. Reinhardt, Suneel S. Apte, Dirk Hubmacher
Summary: ADAMTS proteases play important roles in the biosynthesis and breakdown of ECM molecules, with alternative splicing playing a significant role in regulating their proteolytic activity and cellular localization. This study characterizes the impact of alternative splicing on ADAMTS17, revealing two novel splice variants that affect protease activity through structural changes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Apoorva Parulekar, Arpankumar Choksi, Nandaraj Taye, Kumar V. S. Totakura, Priyanka Firmal, Gopal C. Kundu, Samit Chattopadhyay
Summary: The study reveals that down-regulation of SMAR1 leads to the activation of hTERT, resulting in an increase in the cancer stem cell phenotype in colorectal cancer cells. SMAR1 acts as a transcriptional repressor of hTERT, and its depletion promotes the total CD133(+)CD44(+) population and enhanced sphere-forming ability of colorectal cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keron W. J. Rose, Nandaraj Taye, Stylianos Z. Karoulias, Dirk Hubmacher
Summary: ADAMTS proteases play crucial roles in ECM formation and remodeling, but can also contribute to diseases such as arthritis.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nandaraj Taye, Mukti Singh, Clair Baldock, Dirk Hubmacher
Summary: Myogenesis is regulated by MYOD1 and involves ADAMTSL2, which acts as a signal hub to integrate WNT, TGF6, and potentially other signaling pathways in the dynamic microenvironment of differentiating myoblasts during skeletal muscle development and regeneration. ADAMTSL2 depletion leads to impaired myoblast differentiation and abnormal skeletal muscle architecture. Mechanistically, ADAMTSL2 enhances WNT signaling by binding to WNT ligands and receptors, and a WNT-binding ADAMTSL2 peptide is sufficient to promote myogenesis in vitro.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charlene Redhead, Nandaraj Taye, Dirk Hubmacher
Summary: Connective tissue disorders are caused by mutations in genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins. Recent advances in genetic sequencing and therapeutic modalities offer potential curative approaches by correcting the underlying mutations.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
B. Satz-Jacobowitz, N. Taye, S. Z. Karoulias, D. Hubmacher
Summary: Biochemical and biophysical factors are important to consider when modeling in vivo cellular behavior in vitro. One underappreciated factor is the high concentration of macromolecules present in vivo, which is typically not simulated in standard cell culture conditions. This study found that adding inert macromolecules to cell culture medium can better mimic the high concentration environments found in vivo, leading to enhanced deposition of fibrillin-1.
EUROPEAN CELLS & MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Stylianos-Zafeirios Karoulias, Maria Pitou, Rigini Papi, Paraskevas Lamprou, Theodora Choli-Papadopoulou
Summary: The study identified functional domains of growth factor BMP-2 that are crucial for osteogenesis, particularly the C-terminal region and the 86-AISMLYLDEN-95 sequence. Amino acids Ser88 and Leu90 were found to be important for receptor binding and osteogenic efficacy. These domains mainly signal through the Smad pathway and not the ERK1/2 pathway. The findings have significant implications for clinical applications in biomaterial generation and orthopedic fracture healing.