Fibroblast News and Research

RSS

Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules.

Bortezomib drug may also treat pulmonary fibrosis or scleroderma

A drug used to treat cancer may also be effective in diseases that cause scarring of the internal organs or skin, such as pulmonary fibrosis or scleroderma.

23 Sep 2011

NEJM publishes Boehringer Ingelheim's BIBF 1120 phase II trial on IPF

Boehringer Ingelheim's investigational tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) BIBF 1120 demonstrated a positive trend in reducing lung function decline in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), according to phase II clinical trial results published today online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

22 Sep 2011

Blood levels of FGF-23 can help predict CKD patients at risk of heart problems

The blood levels of a particular hormone can help predict which kidney disease patients will develop heart problems, need dialysis, and die prematurely, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology.

9 Sep 2011

Fibrous stroma can help predict aggressiveness of squamous cell carcinoma

The nature of the connective tissue surrounding lung cancer nests can help predict the aggressiveness of squamous cell carcinoma, according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.

2 Sep 2011

Patients with liver disease may now access UCSD's new Nevada clinic

Patients in Nevada seeking care for liver disease may now access the university-level expertise of UC San Diego Health System's Center for Hepatobiliary Disease and Abdominal Transplantation.

25 Aug 2011

Human embryonic stem cell, iPS-derived progeny are similar and developmentally immature

Stem cell researchers at UCLA have discovered that three types of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are similar to each other, but are much more developmentally immature than previously thought when compared to those same cell types taken directly from human tissue.

18 Aug 2011

Scientists confirm feasibility of new battery-powered skin patch drug delivery system

Scientists have confirmed the feasibility of using a new drug delivery system - the basis for a battery-powered skin patch - to administer medication that shows promise for treating peripheral artery disease (PAD) and healing stubborn skin ulcers and burns.

5 Aug 2011

New method of delivering growth factors could lead to revolutionary heart treatment

Ever since the Nobel Prize for nerve growth factor was awarded more than 30 years ago, researchers have been searching for ways to use growth factor clinically.

3 Aug 2011

Scientists convert brain cells into cardiomyocytes

For the past decade, researchers have tried to reprogram the identity of all kinds of cell types. Heart cells are one of the most sought-after cells in regenerative medicine because researchers anticipate that they may help to repair injured hearts by replacing lost tissue.

11 Jul 2011

Phosphate regulating hormone associated with increased risk of kidney failure and death among CKD patients

A high level of a hormone that regulates phosphate is associated with an increased risk of kidney failure and death among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, according to a recent study led by researchers at the University of Miami and funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health.

16 Jun 2011

High FGF-23 hormone levels linked to increased risk of end-stage renal disease and death

Patients in the early stages of chronic kidney disease who had elevated levels of the endocrine hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (that regulates phosphorus metabolism) had an associated increased risk of end-stage renal disease and death, according to a study in the June 15 issue of JAMA.

15 Jun 2011

Linkam tensile stage chosen to control stress in growth of human collagen by the University of Liverpool

Manufacturers temperature controlled microscopy, Linkam Scientific Instruments, have been chosen by the Physics Department of the University of Liverpool to study the effects of controlling stresses applied during the growth of collagen secreted from human fibroblast cells. The research goal of Senior Research Assistant, Dr Caroline Smith, and her colleagues at the University of Liverpool is to advance the treatment of tendon injuries by developing a method of growing oriented human collagen.

From Linkam Scientific Instruments 7 Jun 2011

Histogenics announces acquisition of ProChon Biotech

Histogenics Corporation, a privately held regenerative medicine company, announced today that it has acquired ProChon Biotech, Ltd. in a stock-for-stock exchange.

17 May 2011

Amira to present AM152 preclinical data in fibrotic disease at ATS Annual Meeting

Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it will present preclinical data on AM152, an LPA1 receptor antagonist, during the Annual Meeting of the American Thoracic Society in Denver, Colorado.

12 May 2011

UCSF scientists receive CIRM grants to advance degenerative muscle disease research

Three UCSF scientists have received grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to advance their investigations of treatment strategies for degenerative muscle diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, and heart disease, and to determine why human embryonic stem cells are susceptible to forming tumors.

10 May 2011

Cosmofrance introduces Dermasculpt microcannula for painless cosmetic injections

Cosmofrance Inc. introduces Dermasculpt a FDA-approved, FLEXIBLE blunt-tip microcannula for non-bruising & practically painless cosmetic injections.

5 May 2011

Researchers discover strategy that promotes new blood vessel formation

Researchers at The University of Western Ontario have discovered a strategy for stimulating the formation of highly functional new blood vessels in tissues that are starved of oxygen. Dr. Geoffrey Pickering and Matthew Frontini at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry developed a strategy in which a biological factor, called fibroblast growth factor 9, is delivered at the same time that the body is making its own effort at forming new blood vessels in vulnerable or damaged tissue.

18 Apr 2011

The Wistar Institute, Advaxis enter research collaboration

Advaxis, Inc., the live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vaccine company, has entered into a research collaboration with the laboratory of Ellen Puré, Ph.D., professor/associate vice president for Academic Affairs at The Wistar Institute.

15 Apr 2011

Researchers discover new mechanism underlying esophageal cancer

A gene thought to be associated with cancer development can be a tumor suppressor gene in mice, researchers have discovered. Understanding which genes are involved in spreading cancer could lead to future therapies.

12 Apr 2011

ARIAD's ponatinib potently inhibits all four FGFRs abnormally expressed in multiple cancers

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced results of preclinical studies on ponatinib, its investigational pan-BCR-ABL inhibitor, showing potent inhibition of all four members of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family of tyrosine kinases that are abnormally expressed in multiple cancers. ARIAD scientists are presenting the data this morning at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

5 Apr 2011