Journal: PLoS ONE

Article Title: Newly Generated Heparanase Knock-Out Mice Unravel Co-Regulation of Heparanase and Matrix Metalloproteinases

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005181

Figure Lengend Snippet: A. FGF-2 induced vascular sprouting in the aortic ring model. Hpse- KO and wt derived aortic rings were subjected to FGF-2 induced vascular sprouting for 6 days. The rings were then fixed, stained with 0.02% crystal violet and evaluated for vascular sprouting. A more extensive endothelial sprouting was noted in Hpse- KO derived rings (right panel) as compared to wt derived rings (left panel). B. Matrigel plug assay. Hpse- KO (lower panels) and wt (upper panels) mice were injected subcutaneously with 200 µl of growth factor depleted Matrigel supplemented with FGF-2 (80 ng/ml). Seven days later, the Matrigel plugs were excised and photographed, followed by homogenization and determination of hemoglobin content using Drabkin's reagent (right). A pronounced angiogenic response was noted in Hpse- KO vs. wt mice (55±7.18 mg/dl vs. 21±6.2 mg/dl; p≤0.0002, respectively).

Article Snippet: Briefly, 1 mm mouse aortic rings were embedded in 3-dimensional growth factor depleted Matrigel (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA), and incubated in 0.5 ml Bio-MPM (Biological industries, Beit haemek, Israel) in the absence or presence of added FGF-2 (50 ng/mL).

Techniques: Derivative Assay, Staining, Matrigel Assay, Injection, Homogenization

Journal: NPJ Regenerative Medicine

Article Title: Self-assembling peptide scaffolds in the clinic

doi: 10.1038/s41536-020-00116-w

Figure Lengend Snippet: a Self-assembling peptide RADA16 molecular model. The calculated peptide dimensions are ~6 nm long depending on end capping, 1.3 nm wide and 0.8 nm thick. b Model of thousands of individual peptides as a single nanofiber. c Trilion of individual peptides self-assemble into nanofiber scaffold as revealed by the SEM. Scale bar = 0.5 µm. d RADA16-I peptide nanofibers scaffold hydrogel with extremely high-water content (99.5–99.0%, w/v water). An image of nanofiber scaffolds hydrogel of RADA16-I at 1% (10 mg/ml), 99% water (image courtesy of 3-D Matrix). e Murine neural stem cells are embedded in the nanofiber scaffold. The diameter of nanofiber is in the similar diameter as the cell produced extracellular matrix . f Red blood cells are embedded in the natural fibrin. g Dense RADA16 nanofiber scaffold . Billions of layers of interwoven nanofibers tightly keep blood cells in place thus preventing from bleeding.

Article Snippet: PuraMatrix ® is sold directly by 3-D Matrix and through distributors including Corning, VWR, Fisher Scientific, and others.

Techniques: Produced