Muscle Cell News Volume 1.32 | Nov 14 2016

TOP STORY

Control of Mitochondrial Function and Cell Growth by the Atypical Cadherin Fat1

The authors showed that the atypical Fat1 cadherin acts as a molecular ‘brake’ on mitochondrial respiration that regulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation after arterial injury. [Nature] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

Chemical Enhancement of In Vitro and In Vivo Direct Cardiac Reprogramming

Researchers found that a combination of the transforming growth factor-β inhibitor SB431542 and the WNT inhibitor XAV939 increased reprogramming efficiency eight-fold when added to Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5 (GMT)-overexpressing cardiac fibroblasts. [Circulation] Abstract | Press Release

Single-Cell Resolution of Temporal Gene Expression During Heart Development

Scientists defined developmental ages of human and mouse pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes and characterized lineage-specific maturation defects in hearts of mice with heterozygous mutations in Nkx2.5 that cause human heart malformations. [Dev Cell] Abstract

TRPC3 Positively Regulates Reactive Oxygen Species Driving Maladaptive Cardiac Remodeling

Investigtators demonstrated that transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3), a Ca2+-permeable channel, acts as a positive regulator of reactive oxygen species in cardiomyocytes, and specifically regulates pressure overload-induced maladaptive cardiac remodeling in mice. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Β-Blockers Treatment of Cardiac Surgery Patients Enhances Isolation and Improves Phenotype of Cardiosphere-Derived Cells

This study shows anti-fibrotic and pro-commitment effects of b-blockers treatment on endogenous cardiac reparative cells, and suggests adjuvant roles of β-blockers in cell therapy applications. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Myogenic Progenitor Cells Control Extracellular Matrix Production by Fibroblasts during Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy

Investigators showed that myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) interact with interstitial fibrogenic cells to ensure proper extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and optimal muscle remodeling in response to hypertrophic stimuli. MPC-dependent ECM remodeling during the first week of a growth stimulus is sufficient to ensure long-term myofiber hypertrophy. MPCs secrete exosomes containing miR-206, which represses Rrbp1, a master regulator of collagen biosynthesis, in fibrogenic cells to prevent excessive ECM deposition. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Transcriptomic Profiling Maps Anatomically Patterned Subpopulations Among Single Embryonic Cardiac Cells

Embryonic gene expression intricately reflects anatomical context, developmental stage, and cell type. To address whether the precise spatial origins of cardiac cells can be deduced solely from their transcriptional profiles, scientists established a genome-wide expression database from 118, 949, and 1,166 single murine heart cells at embryonic day 8.5 (e8.5), e9.5, and e10.5, respectively. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Mitochondria Mediate Cell Membrane Repair and Contribute to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Using two dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse models, researchers found that the mitochondrial dysfunction is among the earliest cellular deficits of mdx muscles. Mitochondria in dystrophic myofibers also respond poorly to sarcolemmal injury. These mitochondrial deficits reduce the ability of dystrophic muscle cell membranes to repair and are associated with a compensatory increase in dysferlin-mediated membrane repair proteins. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Differentiated Smooth Muscle Cells Generate a Subpopulation of Resident Vascular Progenitor Cells in the Adventitia Regulated by KLF4

Using two in vivo fate-mapping approaches combined with a smooth muscle cell (SMC) epigenetic lineage mark, researchers report that a subpopulation of Sca1 and CD34 cells is generated in situ from differentiated SMCs. Their data establish that the vascular adventitia contains phenotypically distinct subpopulations of progenitor cells expressing SMC, myeloid, and hematopoietic progenitor-like properties and that differentiated SMCs are a source to varying degrees of each subpopulation. [Circ Res] Abstract

Smooth Muscle Cell Pro-Angiogenic Phenotype Induced by Cyclopentenyl Cytosine Promotes Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Migration

Scientists found that platelet-derived growth factor-BB-induced synthetic smooth muscle cells (SMC) suppressed endothelial cells proliferation and migration while exhibiting an increased expression of anti-angiogenic factors such as endostatin and decreased pro-angiogenic factors including C-X-C motif ligand 1. Cyclopentenyl cytosine, a CTP synthase inhibitor that previously reported to inhibit SMC proliferation and injury-induced neointima formation, induced SMC re-differentiation. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Fibers for Hearts: A Critical Review on Electrospinning for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

The desirable physico-chemical properties of the electrospun scaffolds for cardiac therapy are described, and polymers are categorized to natural and synthetic. The methods used for improving functionalities by providing cells with the necessary chemical cues and a more in vivo– like environment are reported. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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CHMP Recommends Renewal of Translarna’s^™ Marketing Authorization for Nonsense Mutation Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Based on Continued Positive Benefit-Risk Assessment

PTC Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has recommended the renewal of the conditional marketing authorization of Translarna^™ for the treatment of nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients five years and older. In connection with the renewal, the marketing authorization will include a specific obligation to conduct an additional long-term post-authorization trial. [PTC Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Weill Cornell Medicine and the New York Genome Center Awarded NCI Grant to Create Specialized Genomic Data Center

Weill Cornell Medicine and the New York Genome Center were recently awarded a federal grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to support a joint cancer genomics data center for the research and clinical interpretation of tumors. The grant will provide funding of $490,000 per year over the next five years. [Weill Cornell Medicine] Press Release

Disgraced Stem-Cell Entrepreneur Under Fresh Investigation

Public prosecutors in Turin, Italy, are investigating whether disgraced stem-cell entrepreneur Davide Vannoni — convicted on criminal charges last year for administering unproven stem-cell therapies in Italy — is offering his treatments again, this time in eastern Europe. [Nature News] Editorial

The Ultimate Experiment: How Trump Will Handle Science

Some scientists have expressed fear about how Trump’s presidency will affect research in the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

The Quiet Rise of the NIH’s Hot New Metric

Biomedical funders worldwide are adopting the US agency’s free Relative Citation Ratio to analyze grant outcomes. [Nature News] Press Release

Embryonic Stem Cells and Fetal Tissue Research—Will Trump Intervene?

Of all the materials valued in biomedical research, embryonic stem (ES) cells and fetal tissue have gotten disproportionate attention from politicians. Because creating ES cell lines initially requires destroying a human embryo, President George W. Bush tightly restricted the use of federal funds for research on all but a few stem cell lines. President Barack Obama then made lifting those restrictions one of his first official actions after he took office in 2009. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW Challenges, Solutions and Progress in Stem Cell Medicine
February 18-21, 2017
Carlsbad, United States

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NEW PhD – Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Cell Biology (Max-Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine)

Postdoctoral Associate – Integrative Biology & Physiology (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Muscular Dystrophies and Associated Cardiomyopathy (The Ohio State University)

Research Associate – Craniofacial Development and Stem Cell Biology (King’s College London)

Assistant Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Univesrity of South Dakota)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells & Cartilage Development/Disease (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Staff Scientist/Research Assistant II – Musculoskeletal Tissue Development (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Faculty Position (Tenure) – Cardiovascular Biology (University of Maryland School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Mechanisms of Calcium Regulation in Striated Muscles (Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

National Field Product Service Specialist (Cook MyoSite)

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