Showing papers by "Jean E. Schwarzbauer published in 2012"

Fibronectin and stem cell differentiation – lessons from chondrogenesis

Abstract: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an intricate network of proteins that surrounds cells and has a central role in establishing an environment that is conducive to tissue-specific cell functions. In the case of stem cells, this environment is the stem cell niche, where ECM signals participate in cell fate decisions. In this Commentary, we describe how changes in ECM composition and mechanical properties can affect cell shape and stem cell differentiation. Using chondrogenic differentiation as a model, we examine the changes in the ECM that occur before and during mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. In particular, we focus on the main ECM protein fibronectin, its temporal expression pattern during chondrogenic differentiation, its potential effects on functions of differentiating chondrocytes, and how its interactions with other ECM components might affect cartilage development. Finally, we discuss data that support the possibility that the fibronectin matrix has an instructive role in directing cells through the condensation, proliferation and/or differentiation stages of cartilage formation.

Gonad morphogenesis and distal tip cell migration in the Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodite

Abstract: Cell migration and morphogenesis are key events in tissue development and organogenesis. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the migratory path of the distal tip cells determines the morphology of the hermaphroditic gonad. The distal tip cells undergo a series of migratory phases interspersed with turns to form the gonad. A wide variety of genes have been identified as crucial to this process, from genes that encode components and modifiers of the extracellular matrix to signaling proteins and transcriptional regulators. The connections between extracellular and transmembrane protein functions and intracellular pathways are essential for distal tip cell migration, and the integration of this information governs gonad morphogenesis and determines gonad size and shape.

Scaffolds for tissues and uses thereof

Abstract: The present invention provides tissue scaffolds, methods of generating such scaffolds, and methods of use of such scaffolds to generate aligned and functional tissues for use in methods including regenerative medicine, wound repair, and transplantation.

Surface derivatization strategy for combinatorial analysis of cell response to mixtures of protein domains.

Abstract: We report a robust strategy for conjugating mixtures of two or more protein domains to nonfouling polyurethane surfaces. In our strategy, the carbamate groups of polyurethane are reacted with zirconium alkoxide from the vapor phase to give a surface-bound oxide that serves as a chemical layer that can be used to bond organics to the polymer substrate. A hydroxyalkylphosphonate monolayer was synthesized on this layer, which was then used to covalently bind primary amine groups in protein domains using chloroformate-derived cross-linking. The effectiveness of this synthesis strategy was gauged by using an ELISA to measure competitive, covalent bonding of cell-binding (III9–10) and fibronectin-binding (III1–2) domains of the cell adhesion protein fibronectin. Cell adhesion, spreading, and fibronectin matrix assembly were examined on surfaces conjugated with single domains, a 1:1 surface mixture of III1–2 and III9–10, and a recombinant protein “duplex” containing both domains in one fusion protein. The mixtur...

Program and abstracts for the 2012 Joint Meeting of the Society for Glycobiology & American Society for Matrix Biology

Abstract: Time 8:30 Glycobiology of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells; Steve Dalton, University of Georgia #1 9:00 Siglec-Sialoglycan Binding Regulates Cell-Cell Interactions; Ronald Schnaar, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine 9:30 Stem Cell Therapies in Epidermolysis Bullosa; Angela Christiano, Columbia University Medical Center 10:00 – 10:30 am Coffee Break (Grande Foyer and Grande Ballroom A) 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Plenary II: Biomaterials and Matrix Engineering (Grande Ballroom B & C) Chair: Adam Engler, University of California, San Diego 10:30 Hydrogels as Synthetic Extracellular Matrices; Kristi Anseth, University of Colorado at Boulder 11:00 Mechanical Regulation of Cell Adhesion and Function; Christopher Chen, University of Pennsylvania Joint Meeting of the Society for Glycobiology & American Society for Matrix Biology Conference Program by A rm en Peosyan on N ovem er 2, 2012 http://glycfordjournals.org/ D ow nladed from