Muscle Cell News 2.29 August 28, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYInvestigators generated a robust human cell model of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) by reprogramming Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)2 mutation-bearing fibroblasts from a patient with both TSC and LAM into induced pluripotent stem cells, followed by selection of cells that resemble those found in LAM tumors by unbiased in vivo differentiation. [Cancer Res] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSResearchers showed that in a mouse model of doxorubicin (DOXO)-induced cardiomyopathy, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4+) cells were increased in response to DOXO, mainly in human cardiac mesenchymal progenitor cells, a subpopulation with regenerative potential. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Scientists investigated the possible protective effects of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiomyopathy. They established DOX-induced cardiotoxicity models in H9c2 cells, adult mouse cardiomyocytes, and 129S1/SyImJ mice, which clearly showed cardiac dysfunction and myocardial collagen accumulation accompanying by inflammatory, oxidative stress, and apoptotic damage. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Nestin Expression Is Dynamically Regulated in Cardiomyocytes during Embryogenesis In the heart of 9.5-10.5 day embryonic mice, nestin staining was detected in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes and a subpopulation co-expressed Tbx5. Investigators demonstrated that Tbx5- and Gata4-dependent events negatively regulate nestin expression in cardiomyocytes during embryogenesis. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract The authors elucidated the intracellular molecules implicated in the force-frequency relationship (FFR) of isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Negative FFR was changed to positive FFR when the myocytes were pre-incubated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger MPG, the NADPH oxidase blocker apocynin, or by inhibiting mitochondrial ROS production with 5-HD. [Pflugers Arch] Abstract SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSPolycaprolactone fibrous membranes with appropriate diameter were selected and coated by mussel-inspired poly norepinephrine (pNE). The membrane with smaller diameter fibers, a relative larger specific surface area and the suitable pNE functionalization provided more suitable microenvironment for cell adhesion and proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article Inducible Satellite Cell Depletion Attenuates Skeletal Muscle Regrowth Following a Scald-Burn Injury To determine the necessity of satellite cells during muscle recovery following a burn injury, researchers utilized a genetically modified mouse model (Pax7CreER-DTA) that allowed for the conditional depletion of satellite cells in skeletal muscle. [J Physiol] Abstract Scientists created a new volumetric muscle loss (VML) model, consisting of a full-thickness, single muscle defect, in the rat biceps femoris muscle, and evaluated the ability of myoblast-seeded vascularized collagen hydrogel constructs to augment VML regeneration. Adipose-derived microvessels were cultured with or without myoblasts to form vascular networks within collagen constructs. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSResearchers found that the growth of human intestinal smooth muscle cells (HISMCs) was significantly stimulated by butyrate (Bu) via activation of Yes-Associated Protein. Incubation with Bu induced a distinct proliferative effect on HISMCs, as indicated by the promotion of cell cycle progression and increased DNA replication. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract The authors investigated whether the nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) pathway was involved in the regulation of biomechanical stretch-induced human arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation, inflammation, and migration. They showed that stretch promoted the expression of NFAT5 in human arterial smooth muscle cells and regulated through activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase under these conditions. [Inflammation] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSScientists provide a summary of the different applications of endothelial progenitor cells and cardiac progenitor cells for cardiovascular cell therapy and underlie their advantages and limitations. [Pharmacol Ther] Abstract Musculoskeletal Stem Cells to Treat Age-Related Osteoporosis The authors outline the physiological basis of age-related osteoporosis, as well as discuss relevant preclinical studies that use exogenous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) transplantation with the aim of treating osteoporosis in murine models. They also discuss results from specific clinical trials aimed at treating other systemic bone diseases, and how the discovery of skeletal stem cells could help realize the full regenerative potential of MSC therapy to increase bone formation. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article Surface-Modified Polymers for Cardiac Tissue Engineering Researchers discuss the recent advances in cardiac tissue engineering using polymers and cell surface interactive factors that interact strongly with stem cells to trigger the molecular aspects of the differentiation or formulation of cardiomyocytes for the functional repair of heart injuries or cardiac defects. [Biomater Sci] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSAmgen announced that new data from the Repatha® (evolocumab) clinical trial program, including three late-breaking scientific sessions, will be presented. New data includes additional efficacy and safety analyses from the Repatha cardiovascular outcomes trial (FOURIER) and the Repatha coronary intravascular ultrasound imaging trial (GLAGOV). [Press release from Amgen discussing research to be presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2017, Barcelona] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSWith the help of a new $1 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center bioengineer and cancer researcher Dr. Cyrus Ghajar and his team are hoping to crack open a mystery that has long puzzled scientists in the field: Why do metastatic cells, which can proliferate in many organs, nearly always fail to grow in skeletal muscles, which account for as much as half the body mass of an adult? [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center] Press Release New Biomedical Engineering Grants Aim at Heart Failure and Resistant High Blood Pressure Biomedical engineering researchers will attack two banes of cardiovascular disease — heart failure after heart attacks and the scourge of resistant high blood pressure — with $4.8 million in National Institutes of Health grants that begin this fall. [University of Alabama at Birmingham] Press Release $3.7 Million Grant to Fund Research on Novel Drug Targeting Heart Diseases The Exscien Corporation of Louisville, Kentucky, in conjunction with Louisiana State University Health New Orleans Cardiovascular Center of Excellence, has been awarded an SBIR Fast-Track grant in the amount of $3.7 million over three years by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The funding will be used to study the company’s first in a new class of drugs that repairs DNA damage to reduce cardiac tissue injury and improve outcomes in cardiovascular diseases. [Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans] Press Release Novartis revealed primary data from CANTOS, a Phase III study evaluating quarterly injections of ACZ885 in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels of >=2mg/L, a known marker of inflammation. [Novartis AG] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSIn the last few days alone, the FDA has taken steps in Florida and California to address a number of especially troubling products being marketed. But unfortunately, these are examples of a larger pool of actors who claim that their unproven and unsafe products will address a serious disease, but instead put patients at significant risk. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Editorial FDA Warns US Stem Cell Clinic of Significant Deviations The U.S. FDA posted a warning letter issued to US Stem Cell Clinic of Sunrise, Florida, and its Chief Scientific Officer Kristin Comella for marketing stem cell products without FDA approval and for significant deviations from current good manufacturing practice requirements, including some that could impact the sterility of their products, putting patients at risk. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Editorial Biomedical Ph.D. Program at Major Research University Drops GRE Requirement for Admission The University of Michigan’s biomedical sciences graduate program announced that it will no longer require GRE scores for its Ph.D. admissions. Following a review of the available evidence and a public discussion involving the program’s faculty, staff, and trainees, the exam’s ability to predict student performance seems “weak at best” while it significantly disadvantages women, minorities, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, writes Scott Barolo, director of the Program in Biomedical Sciences, in the announcement. [Science Careers] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 2018 New Directions in Biology and Disease of Skeletal Muscle Conference Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cardiology (Temple University) NEW PhD Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiac Myocyte Proliferation (KU Leuven) Postdoctoral Associate – Muscular Dystrophy (University of Florida) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cardiovascular Experimental Therapeutics (University Health Network) PhD Student – Cardiac Stem Cell Differentiation (Ernst Moritz Arndt Universität Greifswald) Scientist – Obesity, Metabolic & Muscle Diseases (Regeneron) Assistant Professor – Skeletal Muscle Physiology (University of California, Davis) Postdoctoral Positions – Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (The University of Sao Paulo) Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes and Heart Disease (University Health Network) 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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