Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuan-Quan Zhao, Xi-Wen Deng, Guo-Qi Xu, Jie Lin, Hua-Ze Lu, Jie Chen
Summary: Chronic liver disease or repeated damage to hepatocytes leads to hepatic fibrosis, which is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins and activation of hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblasts. These processes promote the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Caleb J. Dalton, Christopher A. Lemmon
Summary: The extracellular matrix fibronectin plays a crucial role in tissue structure and cell signal transduction. It assembles into viscoelastic fibrils that bind various growth factors and cytokines, influencing ECM assembly during development and in disease states. Fibronectin fibrils have unique mechanical properties and interact with other ECM proteins and growth factors to transmit mechanobiology signaling events.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David M. Dolivo, Adrian E. Rodrigues, Thomas A. Mustoe, Robert D. Galiano, Seok Jong Hong
Summary: Cellular therapies hold promise for fibrosis treatment. A recent article presents a strategy and proof-of-concept for delivering stimulated cells to degrade hepatic collagen in vivo. The discussion highlights the strengths of this approach and its potential to generalize to treat other forms of fibrosis.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Axel J. Delakowski, Jared D. Posselt, Christopher T. Wagner
Summary: This study evaluates the use of an acellular 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold for tendon/ligament tissue engineering. The study also designs and verifies a novel bioreactor system to support long-term culture with customizable mechanical strain regimens. The results show unique gene regulation patterns and highlight the need for a robust bioreactor system that minimizes process variation.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biology
Antonion Korcari, Anne E. C. Nichols, Mark R. Buckley, Alayna E. Loiselle, Mei Wan
Summary: Aged tendons disrupt homeostasis, increase injury risk, and impair healing capacity. Understanding the mechanisms of homeostatic disruption is crucial for developing therapeutics to maintain tendon health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingli Liu, Linda Yu, Lysandra Castro, Yitang Yan, Natasha P. Clayton, Pierre Bushel, Norris D. Flagler, Erica Scappini, Darlene Dixon
Summary: TBBPA, a ubiquitous environmental contaminant with weak estrogenic properties, can promote fibrosis in uterine fibroids through the TGFB/SMAD signaling pathway.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Simon Lecoutre, Fatiha Merabtene, Elie-Julien El Hachem, Camille Gamblin, Christine Rouault, Nataliya Sokolovska, Hedi Soula, Wi S. Lai, Perry J. Blackshear, Karine Clement, Isabelle Dugail
Summary: The study reveals the potential of beta-hydroxybutyrate to limit adipose tissue matrix deposition, which is significant in the context of obesity-related tissue dysfunction.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sarah E. Brashear, Ross P. Wohlgemuth, Gabriella Gonzalez, Lucas R. Smith
Summary: The amount of fibrotic material in muscle is related to contractile function and passive stiffness, but excessive fibrosis does not directly lead to decreased muscle function. Anti-fibrotic therapies should target collagen architecture, particularly large collagen fibers and their alignment, to enhance muscle function and reduce excessive stiffness.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
R. J. Leiphart, S. N. Weiss, M. S. DiStefano, A. A. Mavridis, S. A. Adams, N. A. Dyment, L. J. Soslowsky
Summary: This study investigates the role of collagen V in tendon healing using knockdown models. The results show that Col5a1 knockdown affects tendon gene expression and collagen fibril size and shape, with heterozygous knockdown resulting in improved stiffness of healing tendons.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Aidan Brougham-Cook, Ishita Jain, David A. Kukla, Faisal Masood, Hannah Kimmel, Hyeon Ryoo, Salman R. Khetani, Gregory H. Underhill
Summary: Liver fibrosis, a common feature of progressive liver disease, involves hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as main drivers, affected by external bio-chemo-mechanical changes. The composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulate HSC fibrogenic phenotype and proliferation, leading to distinct phenotypic clusters based on microenvironment context. The study highlights the potential functional adaptations of HSCs to specific bio-chemo-mechanical changes and the importance of microenvironment in healthy, disease, and treatment settings.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kang Wang, Dongsheng Wen, Xuewen Xu, Rui Zhao, Feipeng Jiang, Shengqin Yuan, Yifan Zhang, Ya Gao, Qingfeng Li
Summary: Skin fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), which plays a central role in providing structural support and creating a microenvironment for cellular activities. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between mechanical properties of ECM and the development of skin fibrosis, involving complex signaling pathways, activation of mechanosensitive proteins, and changes in immune regulation and metabolism. The stiffening of ECM during fibrosis disturbs mechanical and humoral homeostasis, forming a pro-fibrotic positive feedback loop. This review highlights the importance of ECM and its dynamic changes in skin fibrosis, particularly the role of mechanical cues in ECM remodeling. Various interventions targeting ECM are also discussed to provide new strategies for fibrotic diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng Zhao, Tian Sun, Cheng Lyu, Kaini Liang, Yudi Niu, Yuying Zhang, Chenhui Cao, Canhong Xiang, Yanan Du
Summary: Deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver is a key feature of liver cirrhosis. This study explores the potential of ECM-degrading endothelial cells in alleviating liver fibrosis, demonstrating the upregulation of MMP9 and the enhanced degenerative capability of these cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengfei Liu, Gang Luo, Matthew Dodson, Cody J. Schmidlin, Yongyi Wei, Baris Kerimoglu, Aikseng Ooi, Eli Chapman, Joe G. N. Garcia, Donna D. Zhang
Summary: This study identifies long noncoding RNA LOC344887 as a novel anti-fibrotic NRF2 target gene which contributes to the antifibrotic potential of NRF2 activator sulforaphane (SFN). LOC344887 controls genes and signaling pathways associated with fibrogenesis, repressing the expression of CDH2 and other fibrotic genes. NRF2-mediated LOC344887 upregulation presents a novel therapeutic axis for prevention and intervention of fibrosis-related diseases.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Michaela Melzer, Susanna Schubert, Simon Franz Mueller, Joachim Geyer, Alina Hagen, Sabine Niebert, Janina Burk
Summary: The study investigated the interplay of Rho/ROCK and TGF-beta 3/Smad signaling in tenogenic differentiation in both human and equine MSC, demonstrating that ROCK inhibition promotes the TGF-beta 3/Smad 2/3 axis with implications for future MSC priming in tendon therapy. The results showed differences in regulation patterns of tendon extracellular matrix components and signaling molecules between human and equine MSC.
STEM CELLS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mehmet Nizamoglu, Janette K. Burgess
Summary: Disruption of cell:matrix interactions in the lung ECM is a key element in lung diseases. Lung ECM-derived hydrogels have emerged as a model system that reflects native lung physiology and can be used for studying lung diseases. However, the full potential of these hydrogels has not yet been realized.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Ghada Atta, Herbert Tempfer, Alexandra Kaser-Eichberger, Yongwei Guo, Falk Schroedl, Andreas Traweger, Ludwig M. Heindl
ANNALS OF ANATOMY-ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER
(2020)
Article
Orthopedics
Jonas Schmalzl, Malik Jessen, Nadine Sadler, Lars-Johannes Lehmann, Christian Gerhardt
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Angelina D. Schoenenberger, Herbert Tempfer, Christine Lehner, Jasmin Egloff, Marita Mauracher, Anna Bird, Jonas Widmer, Katharina Maniura-Weber, Sandro F. Fucentese, Andreas Traweger, Unai Silvan, Jess G. Snedeker
Article
Orthopedics
Jonas Schmalzl, Malik Jessen, Fabian Gilbert, Christian Gerhardt, Lars-Johannes Lehmann
Summary: This study examined fracture patterns in patients with advanced CTA, finding that they mostly had valgus fractures. The research showed that patients with CTA had nearly twice the risk of sustaining a valgus fracture compared to those without or with mild CTA.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND TRAUMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ludwig M. Heindl, Marc Trester, Yongwei Guo, Florian Zwiener, Narges Sadat, Nicola S. Pine, Keith R. Pine, Andreas Traweger, Alexander C. Rokohl
Summary: The study found that anxiety and depression disorders are often underdiagnosed in prosthetic eye wearers, with a higher incidence compared to the general population. Regular psychometric screening should be implemented in clinical care, and integrated care by a multidisciplinary team including ophthalmic plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, ocularists, general practitioners, and psychologists is essential for successful long-term rehabilitation.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Tobias Kiesslich, Marlena Beyreis, Georg Zimmermann, Andreas Traweger
Summary: Skewed citation distribution is a major limitation of the Journal Impact Factor (JIF), with highly-cited articles serving as outliers. Replacing mean citation values with the median resulted in significantly lower numerical values, indicating a more accurate representation of the citation distribution. The study provides comprehensive insights into the prevalence, extent, and consequences of citation inequality in medical and all-category journals listed in the JCR.
Article
Cell Biology
Tao Wang, Andrea Wagner, Renate Gehwolf, Wenjin Yan, Fabian S. Passini, Christine Thien, Nadja Weissenbacher, Zhen Lin, Christine Lehner, Huajian Teng, Claudia Wittner, Qiujian Zheng, Jin Dai, Ming Ni, Allan Wang, John Papadimitriou, Toby Leys, Rocky S. Tuan, Sasha Senck, Jess G. Snedeker, Herbert Tempfer, Qing Jiang, Ming H. Zheng, Andreas Traweger
Summary: The SPARC protein plays a critical role in the mechanobiology of tendons, essential for tendon tissue maturation and homeostasis. Its absence may lead to impaired tendon development and injuries. In vitro experiments and mouse models confirmed the importance of SPARC in tendon tissue.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Lukas Ernstbrunner, Malik Jessen, Marco Rohner, Manuel Dreu, Samy Bouaicha, Karl Wieser, Paul Borbas
Summary: This study introduced and described an additional distal muscle slip of the teres major muscle, which can be a lead structure in ventral latissimus dorsi transfers with the deltopectoral approach.
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ghada Atta, Falk Schroedl, Alexandra Kaser-Eichberger, Gabriel Spitzer, Andreas Traweger, Ludwig M. Heindl, Herbert Tempfer
Summary: This study aimed to characterize scleral fibroblasts and their response to inflammatory stimulation. Results showed that SCX-GFP+ cells significantly upregulated the expression of all proteins analyzed and led to significant collagen degradation under IL1-β stimulation. Dexamethasone significantly reduced the response to IL1-β stimulation.
HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Sturm, Bettina Schwemberger, Ursula Menzel, Sonja Hackel, Christoph E. Albers, Christian Plank, Jaap Rip, Mauro Alini, Andreas Traweger, Sibylle Grad, Valentina Basoli
Summary: Biodegradable and bioresponsive polymer-based nanoparticles show promise for oligonucleotide delivery in mRNA-based therapeutics. The efficiency of a cationic, hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s-based nanoparticle system in delivering tdTomato mRNA to different cell types was evaluated, with varying transfection efficiencies observed. Increasing the amount of nanoparticles generally improved transfection efficiency, but higher doses showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity in certain cell types. Transfection of extracellular matrix-rich 3D cell culture constructs using the nanoparticle system was demonstrated, suggesting a potential strategy for transfecting musculoskeletal tissues with complex extracellular matrices.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian Deininger, Andrea Wagner, Patrick Heimel, Elias Salzer, Xavier Monforte Vila, Nadja Weissenbacher, Johannes Grillari, Heinz Redl, Florian Wichlas, Thomas Freude, Herbert Tempfer, Andreas Herbert Teuschl-Woller, Andreas Traweger
Summary: In this study, silk scaffolds with axially aligned pores were generated and treated with simulated body fluid to create a calcium phosphate coating. In vivo experiments demonstrated that silk scaffolds loaded with a low dose of rhBMP-2 and coated with calcium phosphate significantly improved bone regeneration, providing effective bone repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Michael Kimmeyer, Jonas Schmalzl, Verena Rentschler, Malik Jessen, Christian Gerhardt, Lars-Johannes Lehmann
Summary: This study presents the postoperative results of patients treated with a carbon fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) plate for proximal humerus fractures. The results show that using CFR-PEEK plates for fixed-angle osteosynthesis in proximal humerus fractures has comparable clinical outcomes and some biomechanical advantages.
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Malik Jessen, Marc Schnetzke, Stefan Studier-Fischer, Paul Alfred Grutzner, Thorsten Guehring, Felix Porschke
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of acute clavicle fractures on the sternoclavicular joint (SCJ). A retrospective analysis of CT scans of 45 consecutive patients with clavicle fractures revealed that ipsilateral clavicle fractures may lead to an enlargement of the SCJ space width and a superior shift of the proximal clavicle. These morphologic alterations could indicate concomitant injuries of the SCJ and a potential increase in the risk of SCJ instability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)