Muscle Cell News 3.17 May 14, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYControl of Cardiac Jelly Dynamics by NOTCH1 and NRG1 Defines the Building Plan for Trabeculation The authors present a model of trabeculation in mice that integrated dynamic endocardial and myocardial cell behaviors and extracellular matrix remodelling, and revealed new epistatic relationships between the involved signaling pathways. [Nature] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSA Linc1405/Eomes Complex Promotes Cardiac Mesoderm Specification and Cardiogenesis Researchers identified the key roles of a large intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), termed linc1405, in modulating the core network of cardiac differentiation by functionally interacting with Eomes. Chromatin- and RNA-immunoprecipitation assays showed that exon 2 of linc1405 physically mediates a complex consisting of Eomes, trithorax group subunit WDR5, and histone acetyltransferase GCN5 binding at the enhancer region of Mesp1 gene and activates its expression during cardiac mesoderm specification of embryonic stem cells. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract The authors investigated the re-entry cores in cell monolayers through the use of fluorescence optical mapping at high spatiotemporal resolution in order to obtain insights into the mechanisms of re-entry. They revealed that the core of re-entries is conduction blocks constituted by lines and/or groups of cells rather than the round area assumed by the other concepts of functional re-entry. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Full Article Intramyocardial Angiogenetic Stem Cells and Epicardial Erythropoietin Save the Acute Ischemic Heart Concomitant fluorescence-activated cell sorting, co-cultures with neonatal cardiomyocytes, angiogenesis assays, ELISA, western-blotting and RAMAN spectroscopy illustrated erythropoietin could promote tissue origin-specific cardiomyogenic differentiation and enhance paracrine angiogenetic activity in cardiac CD45-CD44+DDR2+ mesenchymal stem cells. [Dis Model Mech] Abstract | Full Article Scientists showed clearance of cellular components in all chambers in 4-Flow hearts with efficient perfusion into both coronary arteries and cardiac veins. Material characterization depicted preserved organization and content of important matrix proteins such as collagens, laminin, and elastin. With access to the complete vascular network, different human cell types were delivered to show spatial distribution and integration into the matrix under perfusion for up to three weeks. [Sci Rep] Full Article SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSDirect Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Functional Skeletal Muscle Progenitors Researchers showed that ectopic expression of the myogenic transcription factor MyoD, combined with exposure to small molecules, reprograms mouse fibroblasts into expandable induced myogenic progenitor cells (iMPCs). iMPCs expressed key skeletal muscle stem and progenitor cell markers including Pax7 and Myf5 and gave rise to dystrophin-expressing myofibers upon transplantation in vivo. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract Small Noncoding RNAs in FSHD2 Muscle Cells Reveal Both DUX4- and SMCHD1-Specific Signatures Scientists identified several types of small noncoding RNAs including known microRNAs that are differentially expressed in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) muscle cells compared to control. Although fewer small RNAs were differentially expressed during muscle differentiation in FSHD2 cells compared to controls, most of the known myogenic microRNAs, such as miR1, miR133a, and miR206 were induced in both FSHD2 and control muscle cells during differentiation. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract The authors report that pannexin 1 (Panx1)/PANX1 and pannexin 3 (Panx3)/PANX3 are co‐expressed in mouse and human satellite cells, which play crucial roles in skeletal muscle regeneration. Panx1 and Panx3 levels were modulated in muscle degeneration/regeneration, similar to the pattern seen during skeletal muscle development. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSScientists investigated whether or not the receptor component protein (RCP) involved in the regulation of caveolin‐1/extracellular signal‐regulated kinases‐1 and ‐2 (ERK1/2) signal pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation is induced by static pressure. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract The authors evaluated whether tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells and whether this effect depends on autophagy. TNF-α induced phenotype switching in the A7r5 cell line by a mechanism that required autophagy. [PLoS One] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSCell Therapy Trials for Heart Regeneration – Lessons Learned and Future Directions The effects of cell therapy on heart regeneration in patients with chronic cardiomyopathy have been assessed in several clinical trials. These trials can be categorized as those using noncardiac stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, and those using cardiac-committed cells, including KIT+ cardiac stem cells, cardiosphere-derived cells, and cardiovascular progenitor cells derived from embryonic stem cells. [Nat Rev Cardiol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSAstraZeneca, SWIBCo Launch Stem Cell Cardiovascular Therapy Collaboration AstraZeneca will develop novel cardiovascular and catheter-based therapies using Procella Therapeutics’ stem cell technology and Smartwise’s catheter injection method, it was disclosed, through a collaboration that could generate up to $320 million-plus for the parent company of the pharma giant’s partners. [AstraZeneca (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News)] Press Release Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks to five new peer-reviewed research grants from the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine. These grants are worth $870,000, part of an overall investment by the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine of $2.6 million across Ontario. [Ottawa Hospital Research Institute] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSFDA Seeks Permanent Injunctions against Two Stem Cell Clinics The FDA, in two complaints filed in federal court, is seeking permanent injunctions to stop two stem cell clinics from marketing stem cell products without FDA approval and for significant deviations from current good manufacturing practice requirements. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release Hungarian Scientists Are on Edge As Country Is Poised to Force Out Top University In early April, several days after Viktor Orbán secured his third consecutive term—and fourth overall—as Hungarian prime minister with a landslide victory for his conservative party, the pro-government paper Figyelő; published a list of more than 200 people it called “mercenaries” of George Soros, the American-Hungarian billionaire philanthropist. The list included investigative journalists and human rights advocates—and 30 academics from the Soros-founded, Budapest-based Central European University. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Release of Three Americans by North Korea Bolsters Hopes for Academic Diplomacy The release of three Americans by North Korea is being welcomed in the United States. Leaders of the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology in North Korea also see the move as good news, and are hoping it might ultimately lead to the end of a travel ban that has prevented its U.S. instructors from teaching classes. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Harassment Should Count as Scientific Misconduct Research culture and policies are quick to denounce plagiarism, data fabrication and mismanagement of funds, yet we have too long ignored the mistreatment of people. Science is a social endeavor; ignoring harassment perpetuates a culture in which people who experience or witness hostile behaviors are afraid to speak up, cannot do their best work, or leave science altogether. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 6th Cambridge International Stem Cell Symposium Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Biology (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation) NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Heart Muscle Cells (Universitatsklinikum Munster) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (University of Oxford) Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Skeletal Muscle Disease Modeling and Regeneration (Duke University) Postdoctoral Fellow – hiPSC Based Cardiac Regeneration (Duke University) Director – Center for Cardiovascular Biology (University of Washington Medical Center) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University) Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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