Muscle Cell News Volume 1.10 | May 16 2016

    By
    Justin.choi
    -
    0
    32

     

      Muscle Cell News 1.10 May 16, 2016  

    Muscle Cell News

           In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Science News | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs  
    Cell Therapy News on Facebook  MUSCN on Twitter

    TOP STORY
    Activation of the Pluripotency Factor OCT4 in Smooth Muscle Cells Is Atheroprotective Scientists demonstrated that smooth muscle cell-specific conditional knockout of Oct4 in Apoe−/− mice resulted in increased lesion size and changes in lesion composition that are consistent with decreased plaque stability, including a thinner fibrous cap, increased necrotic core area, and increased intraplaque hemorrhage. [Nat Med] Abstract
    Download Mini-Review: Myogenic Progenitor and Satellite Cells

    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS OptoDyCE as an Automated System for High-Throughput All-Optical Dynamic Cardiac Electrophysiology Scientists showed, computationally and experimentally, the limits of all-optical electrophysiology when applied to drug testing, then implement and validate OptoDyCE, a fully automated system for all-optical cardiac electrophysiology. They validated optical actuation by virally introducing optogenetic drivers in rat and human cardiomyocytes or through the modular use of dedicated light-sensitive somatic ‘spark’ cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release STIM1-Dependent Ca2+ Microdomains Are Required for Myofilament Remodeling and Signaling in the Heart Researchers investigated the stromal interaction molecule 1-associated Ca2+ signals in cardiomyocytes and their relevance to pathological cardiac remodeling. [Sci Rep] Full Article Extracellular mtDNA Activates NF-κB via Toll-Like Receptor 9 and Induces Cell Death in Cardiomyocytes Investigators hypothesized that mtDNA triggers an innate immune response via TLR9 and NF-κB activation, causing cardiomyocyte injury. Murine cardiomyocytes express TLR9 mRNA and protein and were able to internalize fluorescently labeled mouse mtDNA. [Basic Res Cardiol] Abstract SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS The Chromatin Remodeling Complex Chd4/NuRD Controls Striated Muscle Identity and Metabolic Homeostasis Scientists showed that preservation of the identity of the two striated muscle types depends on epigenetic repression of the alternate lineage gene program by the chromatin remodeling complex Chd4/NuRD. Loss of Chd4 in the heart triggered aberrant expression of the skeletal muscle program, causing severe cardiomyopathy and sudden death. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Impaired Mitochondrial Fat Oxidation Induces FGF21 in Muscle Researchers showed that inhibition of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation induces FGF21 expression specifically in skeletal muscle. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release Rac1 Activation Caused by Membrane Translocation of a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor in Akt2-Mediated Insulin Signaling in Mouse Skeletal Muscle Researchers provided in vivo evidence that FLJ00068 acts downstream of Akt2 as a Rac1 regulator by using mouse skeletal muscle. [PLoS One] Full Article SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Regulate Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype The authors investigated the loading of smooth muscle cells with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and to explore what effect this has on the phenotype of the cells. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract Smooth Muscle-Alpha Actin Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration by Inhibiting Rac1 Activity The authors used lentiviral-mediated gene transfer and siRNA technology to manipulate expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMA) in carotid mouse smooth muscle cells and studied effects of SMA. [PLoS One] Full Article Request Sample: ReLeSR™, Easy Passaging Through Selective Detachment of hPSCs

    REVIEWS
    Satellite Cells in Muscular Dystrophy – Lost in Polarity The authors highlight recent research advances in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and discuss the current state of treatment and, importantly, how they can incorporate satellite cell-targeted therapeutic strategies to correct satellite cell dysfunction in DMD. [Trends Mol Med] Abstract Molecular Networks Underlying Myofibroblast Fate and Fibrosis The authors focused on defining myofibroblast physiology, its progenitor cell populations, and the core signaling network that orchestrates myofibroblast differentiation as a way of understanding the basic determinants of fibrotic disease in the heart and other tissues. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field.

    SCIENCE NEWS
    Positive Interim Results From Second Phase IIa Study Of AIR001 in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) Mast Therapeutics, Inc. announced positive interim results from an ongoing Phase IIa study of AIR001 in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. [Press release from Mast Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference, San Francisco] Press Release From our sponsor: Pluripotent cell isolation for regenerative medicine. Request a free wallchart from Nature.

    INDUSTRY NEWS
    BioVentrix Announces Successful First-in-Man, Catheter-Based Endovascular Clinical Procedure with Revivent-TC™ System for Heart Failure Treatment BioVentrix announced the first-in-man use of its next generation Revivent-TC™ System with an endovascular catheter-based approach from within the left ventricle. The Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement™ or the LIVE™ procedure, used to reshape and reduce the left ventricle, now utilizes deployment of its micro-anchor technology to exclude scar tissue from within the vasculature and without opening the chest. [BioVentrix] Press Release WAVE Life Sciences to Advance Next-Generation Nucleic Acid Therapies to Address Unmet Need in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy WAVE Life Sciences Ltd. reaffirmed its commitment to advance next-generation nucleic acid therapies to address the significant unmet need of patients diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). WAVE’s DMD program is based on preclinical data demonstrating an approximate 25-fold improvement in exon-skipping efficiency compared to drisapersen and eteplirsen, suggesting the potential for improved potency and an enhanced ability to restore the production of functional dystrophin. [WAVE Life Sciences Ltd.] Press Release

    POLICY NEWS
    National Institutes of Health (United States) Food and Drug Administration (United States) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States) European Medicines Agency (European Union) Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom) Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

    EVENTS
    NEW Gordon Research Conference – Notch Signaling in Development, Regeneration & Disease July 31-August 5, 2016 Lewiston, United States Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the muscle cell community.

    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Regeneration of the Mammalian Heart (UT Southwestern Medical Center) NEW Postdoctoral Fellow(s) – Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells and Molecular Medicine (University Paris-Est Créteil) NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Skeletal Muscle Repair and Performance (GlaxoSmithKline) Research Technologist – Myogenic and Progenitor Cell (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Postdoctoral Scientist – Airway Smooth Muscle Biology (UCSF) Postdoctoral Fellow – Genome Editing for Striated Muscle Regeneration (Duke University) Postdoctoral Position – Chemical and Structural Biology of RNA (The Scripps Research Institute) PhD Positions – Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC) Research Technician – Myogenesis, Neurogenesis and Related Diseases (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) PhD Position – Muscle Fiber Type Switch in Congenital Myopathies (King’s College London) Postdoctoral Fellow – Pathogenesis of Heart and Vascular Injury (University of Alberta) Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Biology Regenerative Medicine (NUI Galway) Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

    Have we missed an important article or publication in Muscle Cell News? Click here to submit! Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here
    Learn more about Muscle Cell News: Archives | Events | Contact Us