Artificial biomimicking matrix modifications of nanofibrous scaffolds by hE-cadherin-Fc fusion protein to promote human mesenchymal stem cells adhesion and proliferation

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a fundamental role in regulating cell attachment, proliferation, migration and differentiation. Both synthetic and biologically derived materials have been explored as an ECM in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. To biomimick the extracellular matrix, we combined the advantages of the biological properties of nanofibrous scaffolds and the fusion protein to apply for the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. In this study, we fabricated well random-oriented/aligned nanofibrous scaffolds with PCL, modified with hE-cadherin-Fc fusion protein and studied the synergistic effect of the scaffolds. The random-oriented/aligned architecture was observed in the nanofibrous scaffolds by SEM. XPS and WCA measurements evidenced that hE-cadherin-Fc was successfully modified on the PCL nanofibrous scaffolds and hydrophilicity of the scaffolds was well improved after fusion protein coating. The hE-cadherin-Fc modified markedly promoted the adhesion and proliferation of hMSCs and guided hMSCs to a spindlier morphology compared with unmodified nanofibrous scaffolds. Furthermore, hMSCs on the hE-cadherin-Fc-coated nanofibrous scaffolds also had differentiation potential. These results suggested that the combination of PCL nanofibrous scaffolds and hE-cadherin-Fc fusion protein may be a promising artificial ECM for the behavior of hMSCs in vitro.

In vivo mouse <formula>^{99m}</formula>Tc SPECT scans with bioluminescence imaging validation

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the feasibility of <formula>^{99m}</formula>Tc-labeled cartilage link protein (CLP) probe for the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of lung cancer. Xenograft mouse model were established from a luciferase expressing cell line derived from a human lung cancer. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was carried out prior to <formula>^{99m}</formula>Tc-CLP and <formula>^{99m}</formula>Tc-methoxyisobutyl isonitrile (MIBI) SPECT scans. The image quality of <formula>^{99m}</formula>Tc-CLP scan was validated with BLI and compared with well established <formula>^{99m}</formula>Tc-MIBI scan. Results of multimodal imaging analyses suggested that <formula>^{99m}</formula>Tc-CLP was a sensitive and reliable SPECT agent for lung cancer imaging.

β-dystrobrevin, a kinesin-binding receptor, interacts with the extracellular matrix components pancortins

The dystrobrevins (alpha and beta) are components of the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DPC), which links the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and serves as a scaffold for signaling proteins. The precise functions of the beta-dystrobrevin isoform, which is expressed in nonmuscle tissues, have not yet been determined. To gain further insights into the role of beta-dystrobrevin in brain, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen and identified pancortin-2 as a novel beta-dystrobrevin-binding partner. Pancortins-1-4 are neuron-specific olfactomedin-related glycoproteins, highly expressed during brain development and widely distributed in the mature cerebral cortex of the mouse. Pancortins are important constituents of the extracellular matrix and are thought to play an essential role in neuronal differentiation. We characterized the interaction between pancortin-2 and beta-dystrobrevin by in vitro and in vivo association assays and mapped the binding site of pancortin-2 on beta-dystrobrevin to amino acids 202-236 of the beta-dystrobrevin molecule. We also found that the domain of interaction for beta-dystrobrevin is contained in the B part of pancortin-2, a central region that is common to all four pancortins. Our results indicate that beta-dystrobrevin could interact with all members of the pancortin family, implying that beta-dystrobrevin may be involved in brain development. We suggest that dystrobrevin, a motor protein receptor that binds kinesin heavy chain, might play a role in intracellular transport of pancortin to specific sites in the cell.

Plant-based material, protein and biodegradable plastic

Fibrous proteins from spiders, proteins with synthetic multiple repeats and mammalian structural proteins such as collagen have been produced in transgenic plants. Recent advances in the production of biodegradable plastic in plants also show the potential of molecular farming for research into and production of materials. Selection of a growing variety of such products, optimization of expression, and the development of effective purification strategies will further promote this growing field of biotechnology.

Fibronectin in the plasma during pregnancy and parturition

Fibronectin can be detected in the plasma and the extracellular matrix of the uterus of pregnant women. Studies so far have compared individual observations, whilst serial investigations during pregnancy, and during and after parturition have not been carried out. Plasma fibronectin levels were measured in 153 women with healthy pregnancies in relation to the gestational age. During parturition, blood was taken from the inception of labor through to parturition, and on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days after parturition. The investigations of the plasma fibronectin level in pregnant women show constant concentrations up to the 35th week of pregnancy. From the 36th week onward the fibronectin rises significantly before dropping to the initial values at the start of labor. The elevated fibronectin concentration in the last 4 weeks before delivery could be explained both by renewed, elevated synthesis in the uterus and placenta as well as by lower consumption. The decline in the fibronectin level with the onset of labor could be caused by an elevated enzymatic induction in the uteroplacental unit in connection with the start of parturition.