Muscle Cell News 2.02 January 23, 2017 | |
| |
TOP STORYThe Multifunctional Mitochondrial Epac1 Controls Myocardial Cell Death To investigate the role of mitochondrial exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, the authors showed that Epac1 genetic ablation protects against experimental myocardial I/R injury with reduced infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. [Circ Res] Abstract | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSScientists evaluated individual differences in serious adverse events susceptibility based on an in vitro model using human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) as a pilot study. hiPSCs were generated from blood samples of ten healthy volunteers with different susceptibilities to moxifloxacin (Mox)-induced QT prolongation. Different Mox-induced field potential duration prolongation values were observed in the hiPSC-CMs from each individual. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Researchers showed that different cardiotoxic drugs altered the contractile motion properties of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs) together with increased release of cardiac biomarkers. Heart fatty acid binding protein and release of cardiac troponin I were shown to be potential surrogates to predict cardiotoxicity in hiPS-CMs, whereas N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide seemed to be a less valuable biomarker. [Br J Pharmacol] Abstract SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSPten Is Necessary for the Quiescence and Maintenance of Adult Muscle Stem Cells The authors show a function of Pten in quiescent satellite cells (SCs). Deletion of Pten in quiescent SCs leads to their spontaneous activation and premature differentiation without proliferation, resulting in depletion of SC pool and regenerative failure. Their findings delineate a critical function of Pten in maintaining SC quiescence and reveal an interaction between Pten and Notch signaling. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release Scientists developed a human-based in vitro muscle sensory circuit utilizing human stem cells. A serum-free medium was developed to drive the induction of intrafusal fibers from human satellite cells by actuation of a neuregulin signaling pathway. [Biomaterials] Abstract Autophagy Dysregulation in Danon Disease To define the role of autophagy in human disease, investigators analyzed the muscle biopsies of Danon Disease patients and monitored autophagy and several autophagy regulators like transcription factor EB, a master player in lysosomal biogenesis, and vacuolar protein sorting 15, a critical factor for autophagosome and endosome biogenesis and trafficking. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Researchers have identified a novel Rictor/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) binding molecule, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M, that allows mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) signaling to phosphorylate SGK1 thus regulating muscle differentiation. [Sci Rep] Full Article Modeling Stem Cell Myogenic Differentiation The process of stem cell myogenic differentiation is interpreted as the interplay among transcription factors, targeted proteins and strain-generated signaling molecule. The authors used a kinetic multi-stage model to describe the process of stem cell myogenesis. [Sci Rep] Full Article Efficient Transdifferentiation of Human Dermal Fibroblasts into Skeletal Muscle Investigators used MYOD1 to establish its capacity to induce skeletal muscle transdifferentiation of human dermal fibroblasts under baseline conditions. They demonstrated significant transdifferentiation improvement via TGFβ/Activin signaling inhibition, canonical WNT signaling activation, receptor tyrosine kinase binding, and collagen type I utilization. Mechanistically, they showed that manipulation of individual signaling pathways modulates the transdifferentiation process via myoblast proliferation, lowering the transdifferentiation threshold, and inducing cell fusion. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Full Article SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSScientists conducted a functional study of variants at this locus in primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. In both cell types, they found genotype-dependent differences for rs13082711 in DNA-nuclear protein interactions, where the risk allele is associated with increased SLC4A7 expression level, NBCn1 availability and function as reflected in elevated steady-state pHi and accelerated recovery from intracellular acidosis. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract Infantile Refsum disease (IRD), a peroxisomal disease with defective phytanic acid oxidation, causes neurological impairment and development delay. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) regulates child development and to understand molecular mechanism(s) of IRD, researchers examined the effect of phytanic acid (PA) on IGF-1 activity. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation was measured in rat aortic smooth muscle cell cultures following treatment with fetal bovine serum, basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor or IGF-1 in the absence or presence of PA. [Pediatr Res] Abstract | |
| |
REVIEWSAetiology and Management of Hereditary Aortopathy The authors comprehensively describe the molecular landscape of familial thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA), and they discuss whether familial TAA, from a biological point of view, can serve as a paradigm for the genetically more complex forms of the condition, such as sporadic TAA or abdominal aortic aneurysms. [Nat Rev Cardiol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSaTyr Pharma, Inc. announced that its product candidate Resolaris™ was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B (LGMD2B), making it the first known therapeutic candidate for the treatment of LGMD2B to receive the designation. [aTyr Pharma, Inc.] Press Release PathMaker Neurosystems Inc. announced the establishment of a broad relationship with the Brain and Spine Institute (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière – ICM) at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. PathMaker and ICM will work together to carry out human clinical trials needed to obtain CE Mark clearance for PathMaker’s MyoRegulator™ system, the first neuromodulation device intended for the treatment of patients suffering from neuromotor spasticity. [PathMaker Neurosystems Inc.] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSBiotech Firm Backs Controversial CRISPR Challenger A major enzyme manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chinese university to explore uses for a protein claimed to be a powerful alternative to the popular genome-editing tool CRISPR–Cas9. Several scientists have failed to reproduce the results of the paper that first made the claim and doubt that the protein, NgAgo, works as a gene editor. [Nature News] Editorial Scientists Join Massive Protest against Trump The women in white lab coats didn’t expect to be treated like celebrities. The group of scientists, dozens strong, came to Washington DC to join the Women’s March, a massive protest against the brand-new US President, Donald Trump. But as they navigated the dense crowd near the National Air and Space Museum, the researchers were greeted by shouts of “We love science!” Eager strangers asked the scientists to pose for photographs with the signs they carried, which bore slogans such as “Stand up 4 Science” and “Science does not discriminate.” [Nature News] Editorial Wanted: A Leader for the Toughest Job in Global Health Global health watchers will pay close attention to Geneva, Switzerland when the World Health Organization (WHO) will announce the final three candidates to take the agency’s top job. The decision by WHO’s Executive Board, made up of representatives of 34 member states, follows months of behind-the-scenes jockeying, campaigning by the candidates, and intense speculation. It will be followed in May by a final vote by WHO’s 194 member states. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW Keystone Symposium: RNA-Based Approaches in Cardiovascular Disease Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Department Head – Cardiovascular iPSC Research (Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute) Postdoctoral Researcher – Actin and Myosin (Linnaeus University) Assistant/Associate Professor – Physiology and Cell Biology (University of Nevada) Assistant Professor – Heart Tissue Regeneration (University of Cincinnati) Cell Engineering Scientist – (Oxford Genetics Ltd.) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Research (Thomas Jefferson University) Recruit Top Talent: Reach 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. | |
|
Home Muscle Cell News Volume 2.02 | Jan 23 2017