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Denise C. Hocking, Ph.D.

Denise C. Hocking, Ph.D.

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About Me

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (SMD)

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

Postdoctoral Research Fellow; Albany Medical College, Albany, NY.
Topic: "Mechanisms of extracellular matrix fibronectin deposition".
Advisor: Paula J. McKeown-Longo, Ph.D. 1992 - 1996

Education

PhD | Albany Medical College. Physiology. 1992

MS | Albany Medical College. Physiology. 1990

BS | Hartwick College. Medical Technology. 1983

Awards

Proctor and Gamble Career Opportunity Award, American Physiological Society. 1990

Research

Research in the Hocking lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which the extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin, affects cell and tissue functions that are critical for wound repair. We study both the structural mechanisms and intracellular signaling events that mediate cell and tissue re...
Research in the Hocking lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which the extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin, affects cell and tissue functions that are critical for wound repair. We study both the structural mechanisms and intracellular signaling events that mediate cell and tissue responses to matrix fibronectin. In turn, we are using this information to develop novel technologies for tissue engineering, and therapeutic approaches to promote tissue regeneration in chronic wounds.

The Extracellular Matrix: What is it? The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex, three-dimensional network comprised of collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans that provides an adhesive substrate for the organization of cells into tissues. In the adult, dynamic interactions between cells and their surrounding ECM proteins regulate most, if not all, cell and tissue functions. ECM proteins also contribute to the mechanical and permeability properties of the skin, vasculature, lungs, and other organs. Fibronectin is a principal component of the ECM, where it is organized into elongated, branching fibrils. Mechanical forces influence the deposition, organization, and structure of ECM fibronectin fibrils, which in turn, affect cell function, ECM organization and stability, vascular perfusion, blood vessel permeability, and tissue strength. Fibronectin is initially secreted by cells in a soluble, protomeric form. Soluble fibronectins are then polymerized into ECM fibrils by means of a tightly-regulated, cell-dependent mechanism that can be rapidly up- or down-regulated. Fibronectin matrix polymerization is increased in response to tissue injury; altered fibronectin matrix deposition is associated with abnormal tissue repair in a number of chronic inflammatory states, including non-healing wounds, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and atherosclerosis. In the body, fibronectin polymerization is a continuous process, with as much as 50% of the fibronectin matrix undergoing turnover every 24 hours. In spite of this remarkable information, the mechanisms of fibronectin matrix polymerization and the function of ECM fibronectin fibrils in vivo is not well understood.

Studies from the Hocking Lab: What have we learned about fibronectin? Research in the Hocking lab has been directed at determining whether and how this three-dimensional fibronectin matrix regulates cell behaviors that are essential to tissue repair. Our studies have firmly established that cells respond differently to soluble versus ECM fibronectin, and that the ECM form is the primary functional form of fibronectin. We have shown that the conversion of fibronectin into the ECM form specifically stimulates cell spreading, cell migration, and collagen matrix contraction – all cellular events critical to tissue regeneration. We have also shown that the assembly of a fibronectin matrix promotes the co-polymerization of collagen I and enhances the tensile strength of model tissue, thus demonstrating that the organization and functional properties of the ECM are also dependent on fibronectin matrix polymerization. We have localized several of the ECM-specific effects of fibronectin to a single, cryptic heparin-binding site in the first type III module of fibronectin (FNIII-1). This conformation-dependent, or "matricryptic" site is not exposed in soluble fibronectin, but becomes unmasked during fibronectin matrix formation or as cells and tissues exert tension on ECM fibronectin fibrils. Our exciting new studies, conducted in collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Ingrid Sarelius, demonstrate that exposure of this matricryptic site in vivo mechanically couples skeletal muscle contraction with local vasodilation. These were the first studies to demonstrate a role for fibronectin fibrils in adult connective tissue in vivo.

Patents

Ultrasound Technology to Control the Spatial Organization of Cells and Proteins in Engineered Tissues

Issue date: June 27, 2017

Chimeric Fibronectin Matrix Mimetics and Uses Thereof

Issue date: July 07, 2015

Chimeric Fibronectin Matrix Mimetics and Uses Thereof

Issue date: February 21, 2017

Ultrasound Technology to Control the Spatial Organization of Cells and Proteins in Engineered Tissues

Issue date: May 05, 2020

Publications

Journal Articles

In vivo acoustic patterning of endothelial cells for tissue vascularization.

Comeau ES, Vander Horst MA, Raeman CH, Child SZ, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

Scientific reports.. 2023 September 2613 (1):16082. Epub 09/26/2023.

Receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 is a functional ?v-integrin agonist.

Norris EG, Pan XS, Hocking DC

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2023 March 299 (3):102922. Epub 01/18/2023.

Receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 is a functional ?v-integrin agonist.

Norris EG, Pan XS, Hocking DC

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology.. 2022 April 11 Epub 04/11/2022.

Time- and Dose-Dependent Effects of Pulsed Ultrasound on Dermal Repair in Diabetic Mice.

Vander Horst MA, Raeman CH, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Ultrasound in medicine & biology.. 2021 April 47 (4):1054-1066. Epub 01/13/2021.

Acoustic Fabrication of Collagen-Fibronectin Composite Gels Accelerates Microtissue Formation.

Norris EG, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Applied sciences.. 2020 April 210 (8)Epub 04/23/2020.

CD4 T Cell Interstitial Migration Controlled by Fibronectin in the Inflamed Skin.

Fernandes NRJ, Reilly NS, Schrock DC, Hocking DC, Oakes PW, Fowell DJ

Frontiers in immunology.. 2020 11 :1501. Epub 07/24/2020.

Using Acoustic Fields to Fabricate ECM-Based Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine Applications.

Norris EG, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Recent progress in materials.. 2020 2 (3)Epub 07/21/2020.

Non-invasive acoustic fabrication methods to enhance collagen hydrogel bioactivity.

Norris EG, Majeski J, Wayson SE, Coleman H, Choe R, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Materials research express.. 2019 December 6 (12)Epub 11/29/2019.

A Matricryptic Conformation of the Integrin-Binding Domain of Fibronectin Regulates Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Induced Intracellular Calcium Release.

Farrar CS, Rouin GT, Miller BL, Raeman CH, Mooney NA, Hocking DC

Cells.. 2019 October 308 (11)Epub 10/30/2019.

Acoustic modification of collagen hydrogels facilitates cellular remodeling.

Hocking DC, Dalecki D, Norris EG

Materials today. Bio.. 2019 June 3 Epub 07/22/2019.

Assembly of fibronectin fibrils selectively attenuates platelet-derived growth factor-induced intracellular calcium release in fibroblasts.

Farrar CS, Hocking DC

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2018 November 30293 (48):18655-18666. Epub 10/15/2018.

Ultrasound patterning technologies for studying vascular morphogenesis in 3D.

Comeau ES, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

Journal of cell science.. 2017 January 1130 (1):232-242. Epub 10/27/2016.

A Small Chimeric Fibronectin Fragment Accelerates Dermal Wound Repair in Diabetic Mice.

Hocking DC, Brennan JR, Raeman CH

Advances in wound care.. 2016 November 15 (11):495-506. Epub 1900 01 01.

Extracellular matrix fibronectin mediates an endothelial cell response to shear stress via the heparin-binding, matricryptic RWRPK sequence of FNIII1H.

Okech W, Abberton KM, Kuebel JM, Hocking DC, Sarelius IH

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology.. 2016 October 1311 (4):H1063-H1071. Epub 08/12/2016.

Cooperative effects of fibronectin matrix assembly and initial cell-substrate adhesion strength in cellular self-assembly.

Brennan JR, Hocking DC

Acta biomaterialia.. 2016 March 132 :198-209. Epub 12/19/2015.

Quantitative Ultrasound for Nondestructive Characterization of Engineered Tissues and Biomaterials.

Dalecki D, Mercado KP, Hocking DC

Annals of biomedical engineering.. 2016 March 44 (3):636-48. Epub 11/18/2015.

Extracellular matrix fibronectin initiates endothelium-dependent arteriolar dilatation via the heparin-binding, matricryptic RWRPK sequence of the first type III repeat of fibrillar fibronectin.

Sarelius IH, Titus PA, Maimon N, Okech W, Wilke-Mounts SJ, Brennan JR, Hocking DC

The Journal of physiology.. 2016 February 1594 (3):687-97. Epub 01/15/2016.

Biological Effects of Low-Frequency Shear Strain: Physical Descriptors.

Carstensen EL, Parker KJ, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Ultrasound in medicine & biology.. 2016 January 42 (1):1-15. Epub 10/14/2015.

Therapeutic Applications of Extracellular Matrix.

Hocking DC

Advances in wound care.. 2015 August 14 (8):441-443. Epub 1900 01 01.

Scholte wave generation during single tracking location shear wave elasticity imaging of engineered tissues.

Mercado KP, Langdon J, Helguera M, McAleavey SA, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2015 August 138 (2):EL138-44. Epub 1900 01 01.

Noninvasive Quantitative Imaging of Collagen Microstructure in Three-Dimensional Hydrogels Using High-Frequency Ultrasound.

Mercado KP, Helguera M, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods.. 2015 July 21 (7):671-82. Epub 03/12/2015.

Ultrasound technologies for biomaterials fabrication and imaging.

Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Annals of biomedical engineering.. 2015 March 43 (3):747-61. Epub 10/18/2014.

Estimating cell concentration in three-dimensional engineered tissues using high frequency quantitative ultrasound.

Mercado KP, Helguera M, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

Annals of biomedical engineering.. 2014 June 42 (6):1292-304. Epub 03/14/2014.

Ultrasound for microvascular tissue engineering.

Dalecki D, Hocking DC

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2014 April 135 (4):2337. Epub 1900 01 01.

Investigation of effects of ultrasound on dermal wound healing in diabetic mice.

Hocking DC, Raeman CH, Dalecki D

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2014 April 135 (4):2370. Epub 1900 01 01.

Characterizing collagen microstructure using high frequency ultrasound.

Mercado KP, Helguera M, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2014 April 135 (4):2373. Epub 1900 01 01.

Opposing effects of collagen I and vitronectin on fibronectin fibril structure and function.

Gildner CD, Roy DC, Farrar CS, Hocking DC

Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology.. 2014 February 34 :33-45. Epub 02/06/2014.

Fibronectin matrix mimetics promote full-thickness wound repair in diabetic mice.

Roy DC, Mooney NA, Raeman CH, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Tissue engineering. Part A.. 2013 November 19 (21-22):2517-26. Epub 08/12/2013.

Spatial patterning of endothelial cells and vascular network formation using ultrasound standing wave fields.

Garvin KA, Dalecki D, Yousefhussien M, Helguera M, Hocking DC

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2013 August 134 (2):1483-90. Epub 1900 01 01.

Controlling collagen fiber microstructure in three-dimensional hydrogels using ultrasound.

Garvin KA, Vanderburgh J, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2013 August 134 (2):1491-502. Epub 1900 01 01.

Recombinant fibronectin matrix mimetics specify integrin adhesion and extracellular matrix assembly.

Roy DC, Hocking DC

Tissue engineering. Part A.. 2013 February 19 (3-4):558-70. Epub 11/01/2012.

Regional fibronectin and collagen fibril co-assembly directs cell proliferation and microtissue morphology.

Sevilla CA, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

PloS one.. 2013 8 (10):e77316. Epub 10/08/2013.

Engineering tissues with ultrasound heating, radiation force, and cavitation.

Dalecki D, Hocking DC

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2012 September 132 (3):1907. Epub 1900 01 01.

Ultrasound standing wave fields for tissue engineering.

Hocking DC, Garvin KA, Dalecki D

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2012 September 132 (3):1952. Epub 1900 01 01.

Parametric imaging of three-dimensional engineered tissue constructs using high-frequency ultrasound.

Mercado KP, Helguera M, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2012 September 132 (3):2066. Epub 1900 01 01.

Vascularization of three-dimensional collagen hydrogels using ultrasound standing wave fields.

Garvin KA, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Ultrasound in medicine & biology.. 2011 November 37 (11):1853-64. Epub 09/15/2011.

Chimeric fibronectin matrix mimetic as a functional growth- and migration-promoting adhesive substrate.

Roy DC, Wilke-Mounts SJ, Hocking DC

Biomaterials.. 2011 March 32 (8):2077-87. Epub 12/24/2010.

N-cadherin cell-cell adhesion complexes are regulated by fibronectin matrix assembly.

Lefort CT, Wojciechowski K, Hocking DC

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2011 January 28286 (4):3149-60. Epub 11/17/2010.

Extracellular matrix fibronectin stimulates the self-assembly of microtissues on native collagen gels.

Sevilla CA, Dalecki D, Hocking DC

Tissue engineering. Part A.. 2010 December 16 (12):3805-19. Epub 09/06/2010.

Controlling the spatial organization of cells and extracellular matrix proteins in engineered tissues using ultrasound standing wave fields.

Garvin KA, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

Ultrasound in medicine & biology.. 2010 November 36 (11):1919-32. Epub 09/27/2010.

Ultrasound standing wave fields induce endothelial cell sprouting within three-dimensional engineered tissue.

Garvin KA, Hocking DC, Dalecki D

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.. 2010 March 127 (3):1940. Epub 1900 01 01.

Extracellular matrix fibronectin mechanically couples skeletal muscle contraction with local vasodilation.

Hocking DC, Titus PA, Sumagin R, Sarelius IH

Circulation research.. 2008 February 15102 (3):372-9. Epub 11/21/2007.

Identification of the heparin-binding determinants within fibronectin repeat III1: role in cell spreading and growth.

Gui L, Wojciechowski K, Gildner CD, Nedelkovska H, Hocking DC

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2006 November 17281 (46):34816-25. Epub 09/18/2006.

Fibronectin matrix polymerization increases tensile strength of model tissue.

Gildner CD, Lerner AL, Hocking DC

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology.. 2004 July 287 (1):H46-53. Epub 03/04/2004.

Expression, production, and characterization of full-length vitronectin in Escherichia coli.

Wojciechowski K, Chang CH, Hocking DC

Protein expression and purification.. 2004 July 36 (1):131-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Fibronectin matrix polymerization regulates small airway epithelial cell migration.

Hocking DC, Chang CH

American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology.. 2003 July 285 (1):L169-79. Epub 03/14/2003.

Fibronectin matrix deposition and cell contractility: implications for airway remodeling in asthma.

Hocking DC

Chest.. 2002 December 122 (6 Suppl):275S-278S. Epub 1900 01 01.

Fibronectin polymerization regulates the composition and stability of extracellular matrix fibrils and cell-matrix adhesions.

Sottile J, Hocking DC

Molecular biology of the cell.. 2002 October 13 (10):3546-59. Epub 1900 01 01.

A cryptic fragment from fibronectin's III1 module localizes to lipid rafts and stimulates cell growth and contractility.

Hocking DC, Kowalski K

The Journal of cell biology.. 2002 July 8158 (1):175-84. Epub 07/08/2002.

The incorporation of fibrinogen into extracellular matrix is dependent on active assembly of a fibronectin matrix.

Pereira M, Rybarczyk BJ, Odrljin TM, Hocking DC, Sottile J, Simpson-Haidaris PJ

Journal of cell science.. 2002 February 1115 (Pt 3):609-17. Epub 1900 01 01.

Fibronectin polymerization stimulates cell growth by RGD-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Sottile J, Hocking DC, Langenbach KJ

Journal of cell science.. 2000 December 113 Pt 23 :4287-99. Epub 1900 01 01.

Stimulation of integrin-mediated cell contractility by fibronectin polymerization.

Hocking DC, Sottile J, Langenbach KJ

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 2000 April 7275 (14):10673-82. Epub 1900 01 01.

Inhibition of fibronectin matrix assembly by the heparin-binding domain of vitronectin.

Hocking DC, Sottile J, Reho T, Fässler R, McKeown-Longo PJ

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 1999 September 17274 (38):27257-64. Epub 1900 01 01.

Fibronectin matrix assembly enhances adhesion-dependent cell growth.

Sottile J, Hocking DC, Swiatek PJ

Journal of cell science.. 1998 October 111 ( Pt 19) :2933-43. Epub 1900 01 01.

Activation of distinct alpha5beta1-mediated signaling pathways by fibronectin's cell adhesion and matrix assembly domains.

Hocking DC, Sottile J, McKeown-Longo PJ

The Journal of cell biology.. 1998 April 6141 (1):241-53. Epub 1900 01 01.

A novel role for the integrin-binding III-10 module in fibronectin matrix assembly.

Hocking DC, Smith RK, McKeown-Longo PJ

The Journal of cell biology.. 1996 April 133 (2):431-44. Epub 1900 01 01.

Fibronectin's III-1 module contains a conformation-dependent binding site for the amino-terminal region of fibronectin.

Hocking DC, Sottile J, McKeown-Longo PJ

The Journal of biological chemistry.. 1994 July 22269 (29):19183-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha alters pulmonary vasoreactivity via neutrophil-derived oxidants.

Ferro TJ, Hocking DC, Johnson A

The American journal of physiology.. 1993 November 265 (5 Pt 1):L462-71. Epub 1900 01 01.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha primes pulmonary hemodynamic response to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine.

Johnson A, Hocking DC, Ferro TJ

The American journal of physiology.. 1991 October 261 (4 Pt 2):H996-1004. Epub 1900 01 01.

Dextran sulfate inhibits PMN-dependent hydrostatic pulmonary edema induced by tumor necrosis factor.

Hocking DC, Ferro TJ, Johnson A

Journal of applied physiology.. 1991 March 70 (3):1121-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Mechanisms of pulmonary edema induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Hocking DC, Phillips PG, Ferro TJ, Johnson A

Circulation research.. 1990 July 67 (1):68-77. Epub 1900 01 01.

Mechanisms of pulmonary edema induced by a diacylglycerol second messenger.

Johnson A, Hocking DC, Ferro TJ

The American journal of physiology.. 1990 January 258 (1 Pt 2):H85-91. Epub 1900 01 01.