Muscle Cell News Volume 4.39 | Nov 25 2019

TOP STORY

Genome-Wide Associations Reveal Human-Mouse Genetic Convergence and Modifiers of Myogenesis, CPNE1 and STC2

Investigators conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on hindlimb skeletal muscle mass of 1,867 mice from an advanced intercross between two inbred strains; this GWAS identified 23 quantitative trait loci. In vitro studies of positional candidates confirmed CPNE1 and STC2 as modifiers of myogenesis. [Am J Hum Genet] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

PKD Deletion Promotes Autophagy and Inhibits Hypertrophy in Cardiomyocytes

Using primary cardiomyocyte cultures, protein kinase D (PKD) knockdown and overexpression, and other molecular techniques, researchers tested the hypothesis that the PKD pathway mediated cardiac hypertrophy by negatively regulating autophagy in cardiomyocytes. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Differential Expression of miR-142-3p Protects Cardiomyocytes from Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion via TLR4/NFkB Axis

miR-142 overexpression significantly improved proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Investigators found that miR-142 reduced the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and upregulated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced caspase-3 expression. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Increased Muscleblind Levels by Chloroquine Treatment Improve Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Phenotypes in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Researchers demonstrated that treatment with the antiautophagic drug chloroquine was sufficient to up-regulate Muscleblind-like (MBNL)1 and 2 proteins in Drosophila and mouse models and patient-derived myoblasts. Extra Muscleblind was functional at the molecular level and improved splicing events regulated by MBNLs in all disease models. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

The CalcR-PKA-Yap1 Axis Is Critical for Maintaining Quiescence in Muscle Stem Cells

Scientists demonstrated that transgenic expression of the catalytic domain of protein kinase A (PKA) restored the quiescence of calcitonin receptor (CalcR)-mutant muscle satellite (stem) cells (MuSCs) and delayed MuSC activation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Glycine Protects Muscle Cells From Wasting In Vitro via mTORC1 Signaling

The authors determined whether exogenous glycine directly protected skeletal muscle cells from wasting. Glycine-treated myotubes were up to 20% larger compared to cells treated with L-alanine in both models of muscle cell atrophy. [Front Nutr] Full Article

Customizable Composite Fibers for Engineering Skeletal Muscle Models

Investigators engineered composite fibers from biocompatible cores and biologically relevant hydrogel sheaths. The fibers were mechanically robust to be assembled using textile processes and could support adhesion, proliferation and maturation of cell populations important for engineering of skeletal muscles. [ACS Biomater Sci Eng] Abstract

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Prostaglandin D₂ Stimulates Phenotypic Changes in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) facilitated the transformation of contractile vascular smooth muscle cells to the synthetic phenotype, as determined by the expression of marker proteins and a collagen gel contraction assay. Western blot analysis and a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) promoter assay revealed that TNFα stimulation resulted in the induction of COX2. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Enhances Profibrotic Activities through Modulation of Calcium Homeostasis in Human Atrial Fibroblasts

The authors evaluated whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could regulate calcium homeostasis in atrial fibroblasts and contribute to its profibrogenesis. VEGF upregulated the expression of phosphorylated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in fibroblasts, which was attenuated by ethylene glycol tetra-acetic acid. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Activation of Heme Oxygenase-1 by Ginkgo biloba Extract Differentially Modulates Endothelial and Smooth Muscle-Like Progenitor Cells for Vascular Repair

Scientists investigated whether G. biloba extract (GBE) could modulate different vascular progenitor cells by activating heme oxygenase-1 for vascular repair. A bone marrow transplantation mouse model was used to evaluate the in vivo effects of GBE treatment on wire-injury induced neointimal hyperplasia, which was representative of impaired vascular repair. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Interventions in Wnt Signaling to Induce Cardiomyocyte Proliferation: Crosstalk with Other Pathways

The authors discuss the signaling pathways involved in cardiomyocyte proliferation, with a specific focus on WNT signaling. Comparing the conflicting results from in vitro and in vivo studies on this pathway illustrates that the interaction with other cells and structures around the infarct is likely to be essential to determine the outcome of these interventions. [Mol Pharmacol] Abstract

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FDA Grants Priority Review to Genentech’s Risdiplam for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Genentech announced that the FDA has accepted the New Drug Application and granted Priority Review for risdiplam, an investigational survival motor neuron-2 splicing modifier for spinal muscular atrophy. [Genentech, Inc.] Press Release

Six Rochester Graduate Students Offered National Institutes of Health Fellowship Grants

Five graduate students from the University of Rochester Medical Center and one graduate student from the School of Arts and Sciences have been offered National Institutes of Health F31 fellowship grants. The grants are part of a federally sponsored program that provides three years of support for students pursuing doctoral or other research-based degrees in health-related areas. [University of Rochester] Press Release

Science Funders Gamble on Grant Lotteries

The Health Research Council of New Zealand is one of a growing number of funders that award grants partly through random selection. Earlier this year, for example, David Ackerley, a biologist at Victoria University of Wellington, received NZ$150,000 (US$96,000) to develop new ways to eliminate cells – after his number came up in the council’s annual lottery. [Nature News] Editorial

Foreign Interference Fears Prompt Guidelines for Australian Universities

New guidelines will help Australian universities protect themselves against foreign interference, says the country’s government. The advice follows concerns that foreign groups or governments, such as the government of China, might be seeking to instigate campus activities that are against Australia’s interests. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Noncoding RNAs – Mechanism, Function and Therapies
January 12-16, 2020
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

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NEW Asistant Professor – Ion Channels (University of Tennessee)

Assistant Professor – Muscle Biology (Purdue University)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Failing Heart Muscle Cells (University Hospital of Muenster)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Larngeal Muscle Development (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Genome Editing in Cardiac Microtissues (The Jackson Laboratory)

Research Scientists – Cardiac and Neuronal Cell Differentiation (Evotec)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Skeletal Muscle (Harvard Medical School)

Research Scientist – Metabolic & Muscle Diseases (Regeneron)

Research Scientist – Gene Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders (Vertex Pharmaceuticals)

Assistant Specialist – Cardiovascular Medicine (University of California, Davis)

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