Muscle Cell News 2.15 May 1, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYScientists report that a Bag3 variant (Ile81Met) segregates with tissue protection from hindlimb ischemia. They found that the BAG3 Ile81Met variant in the C57BL/6 mouse background segregates with protection from tissue necrosis in a shorter congenic fragment of Lsq-1. [Circulation] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSDisruption of Spatiotemporal Hypoxic Signaling Causes Congenital Heart Disease in Mice The authors demonstrated that cells in the mouse heart tube are hypoxic, while cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) expressing islet 1 (ISL1) in the secondary heart field are normoxic. In ISL1+ CPCs, induction of hypoxic responses caused congenital heart disease by repressing Isl1 and activating NK2 homeobox 5, resulting in decreased cell proliferation and enhanced cardiomyocyte specification. [J Clin Invest] Full Article Researchers tested whether palmitoylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is involved in palmitic acid (PA) regulation of left ventricular (LV) myocyte contraction from healthy and hypertensive rats. Their results showed that PA, a predominant metabolic substrate for cardiac β-oxidation, significantly increased contraction and oxygen consumption rate in LV myocytes from sham. [Pflugers Arch] Abstract SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSPolyurethane Acrylates as Effective Substrates for Sustained In Vitro Culture of Human Myotubes Investigators developed polyurethane acrylate (PUA) materials to support long term in vitro culture of human skeletal muscle tissue. They found that PUA of an optimal modulus could support human myoblast proliferation, terminal differentiation and sustenance beyond 35 days, without use of any extracellular protein coating. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Pax7 Remodels the Chromatin Landscape in Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells Scientists took advantage of pluripotent stem cell-derived skeletal muscle precursor cells, wherein the induced expression of Pax7 robustly initiates the muscle program and enables the in vitro generation of precursors that seed the satellite cell compartment upon transplantation. They found that chromatin accessibility in myogenic precursors pre-figures subsequent activation of myogenic differentiation genes. [PLoS One] Full Article The authors investigated the mechanisms underlying the anti-atrophic effects of leucine, namely, the way that this amino acid can restrain the up-regulation of MuRF1 and Mafbx/Atrogin-1 in muscle atrophy. Their results showed that leucine inhibited forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a) translocation to cell nuclei. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSScientists determined that endoglin is robustly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Using CRISPR/CAS9 knockout and shRNA knockdown in the VSMC/endothelial coculture model system, they determined that endoglin in VSMCs, but not in endothelial cells, promotes VSMC recruitment by the endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] Abstract | Full Article (Download) Researchers investigated the participation of a connexin (Cx), Cx37, in the formation of the neointima layer. The presence of Cx37 in the media layer of injured arteries restrained vascular smooth muscle cells’ proliferation and limited the development of intimal hyperplasia, by interfering with the pro-proliferative effect of Cx43 and the Akt pathway. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract Scientists studied platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (Pdgfrβ)F7/F7 mice, which carry seven point mutations that disrupt PDGFRβ signaling, causing loss of pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the developing brain. They found an early and progressive region-dependent loss of brain pericytes, microvascular reductions and blood-brain barrier breakdown, which were more pronounced in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum than in the thalamus, whereas VSMCs population remained unaffected at the time when pericyte loss was already established. [PLoS One] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSA Novel Paradigm Links Mitochondrial Dysfunction with Muscle Stem Cell Impairment in Sepsis Recent data suggests that long-term myopathy in sepsis survivors is due to failure of skeletal muscle stem cells (satellite cells) to regenerate the muscle. Satellite cell impairment in the acute phase of sepsis is linked to unusual mitochondrial dysfunctions, characterized by a dramatic reduction of the mitochondrial mass and hyperactivity of residual organelles. Targeting muscle stem cells mitochondria, in a context of reduced inflammation, may represent a valuable strategy to reduce morbidity and long-term impairment of the muscle upon sepsis. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSCytokinetics Announces Results from Dose Escalation Phase of COSMIC-HF Cytokinetics, Inc. announced that results from the dose escalation phase of Chronic Oral Study of Myosin Activation to Increase Contractility in Heart Failure (COSMIC-HF), a Phase II trial evaluating omecamtiv mecarbil in patients with chronic heart failure were presented. [Press release from Cytokinetics, Inc. discussing research presented at Heart Failure 2017, Paris] Press Release Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced favorable results across multiple functional assessments in the MoveDMD trial. In Part B of the MoveDMD trial, designed to evaluate the potential of edasalonexent in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, numerical improvements were seen in prespecified rate change analyses across five functional assessments. [Press release from Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 69th Annual Meeting, Boston] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSCapricor Therapeutics, Inc. announced positive top-line results from a safety and exploratory efficacy analysis of six-month data from the randomized 12-month Phase I/II HOPE Clinical Trial of CAP-1002, an investigational candidate for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [Capricor Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release TLC178 Designated by US FDA as Drug for Rare Pediatric Disease in the Treatment of Rhabdomyosarcoma Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd. announced that its oncology drug candidate TLC178 has been designated as a drug for a rare pediatric disease in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [Taiwan Liposome Company, Ltd.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSHow Science Fares in the U.S. Budget Deal Congress has finally reached a deal on spending bills for the 2017 fiscal year. House of Representatives and Senate leaders announced that they expect lawmakers to vote on an agreement that wraps together all 12 appropriations bills that fund federal operations. For the past seven months, the government has been operating under a continuing resolution that froze 2017 spending at most agencies at 2016 levels and generally prevented them from starting new programs. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Marine Le Pen Is a ‘Terrible Danger,’ French Research Leaders Say The French science and higher education community appears virtually united in its opposition against Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate who could become France’s next president during the second round of elections on 7 May. In an unprecedented letter, the directors of nine major public research institutes describe Le Pen’s candidacy as a “terrible danger” and call on voters not to support her. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Controversial UK Research Reform Crosses Finish Line A controversial and wide-ranging shake-up of the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) research and higher-education landscape has been completed, amid a huge rush by the country’s parliament to push through legislation. [Nature News] Editorial $10 Million Settlement over Alleged Misconduct in Boston Heart Stem Cell Lab A research misconduct investigation of a prominent stem cell lab by the Harvard University-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston has led to a massive settlement with the U.S. government over allegations of fraudulently obtained federal grants. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW ISSCR Annual Meeting 2017 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral/ Graduate Student Positions – Neuromuscular Diseases (University of Alberta) NEW PhD Studentship – Experimental Genetic Cardiology (Oslo University Hospital) PhD Student – Molecular Cardiology (University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein) Research Fellow – Cardiovascular Science (Columbia University) Principal Investigator – Human Physiology and Experimental Medicine (University of Cambridge) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Disease (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Smooth Muscle (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center) Postdoctoral Fellow – Skeletal Muscle (University of Oregon) Postdoctoral Scholar – Stem Cell Biology and Endocrinology (Stanford University) 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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Home Muscle Cell News Volume 2.15 | May 1 2017