Muscle Cell News Volume 2.33 | Oct 2 2017

TOP STORY

Loss of β-Catenin in Resident Cardiac Fibroblasts Attenuates Fibrosis Induced by Pressure Overload in Mice

Scientists showed that β-catenin loss of function in cardiac fibroblasts after trans-aortic constriction significantly preserves cardiac function, and reduces interstitial fibrosis but does not alter the numbers of activated or differentiated cardiac fibroblasts in vivo. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

Comparative Gene Expression Analyses Reveal Distinct Molecular Signatures between Differentially Reprogrammed Cardiomyocytes

Researchers performed transcriptome analyses of beating cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-CMs) and induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) generated from cardiac fibroblasts of the same origin. Although both iPSC-CMs and iCMs established CM-like molecular features globally, iPSC-CMs exhibited a relatively hyperdynamic epigenetic status, whereas iCMs exhibited a maturation status that more closely resembled that of adult CMs. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Severe DCM Phenotype of Patient Harboring RBM20 Mutation S635A Can Be Modeled by Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Scientists generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) caused by a missense mutation S635A in RNA-binding motif protein 20 (RBM20) and investigated the functionality and cell biology of cardiomyocytes derived from patient-specific iPSCs (RBM20-iPSCs). [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Full Article

CXCL6 Is an Important Paracrine Factor in the Pro-Angiogenic Human Cardiac Progenitor-Like Cell Secretome

To define the set of proteins specifically or highly differentially secreted by cardiac progenitor cell (CPC), investigators compared human mesenchymal stem cells and dermal fibroblasts; the study defined a group of growth factors, cytokines and chemokines expressed at high to medium levels by CPC. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Lipidomics Reveals Diurnal Lipid Oscillations in Human Skeletal Muscle Persisting in Cellular Myotubes Cultured In Vitro

The authors investigated lipid profiles over 24 hours in human skeletal muscle in vivo and in primary human myotubes cultured in vitro. The percentage of oscillating lipid metabolites was comparable between muscle tissue and cultured myotubes, and temporal lipid profiles correlated with transcript profiles of genes implicated in their biosynthesis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Nesprin-1α-Dependent Microtubule Nucleation from the Nuclear Envelope via Akap450 Is Necessary for Nuclear Positioning in Muscle Cells

Using the proximity-dependent biotin identification method, investigators found several centrosomal proteins, including Akap450, Pcm1, and Pericentrin, whose association with Nesprin-1α was increased in differentiated myotubes. They showed that Nesprin-1α recruits Akap450 to the nuclear envelope (NE) independently of kinesin and that Akap450, but not other centrosomal proteins, are required for microtubule nucleation from the NE. [Curr Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Promotes Muscle-Derived Stem Cell Osteogenic Differentiation through MAPK Pathway

Researchers investigated the effects of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC) osteoblastic differentiation and the related potential mechanism. The cell proliferation rate was substantially increased in NPWT-treated MDSCs in comparison with a static group for three days. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Nanoparticle Delivery of Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein and Donor DNA In Vivo Induces Homology-Directed DNA Repair

Scientists demonstrated that a delivery vehicle composed of gold nanoparticles conjugated to DNA and complexed with cationic endosomal disruptive polymers could deliver Cas9 ribonucleoprotein and donor DNA into a wide variety of cell types and efficiently correct the DNA mutation that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mice via local injection, with minimal off-target DNA damage. [Nat Biomed Eng] Abstract

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Nicotine-Induced Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Involves TRPC6-Dependent Calcium Influx via α7 nAChR

Researchers investigated the mechanisms by which nicotine affects human bronchial smooth muscle cell (HBSMC) proliferation. They verified that activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in nicotine-enhanced proliferation and calcium influx in HBSMCs. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

DJ-1 Regulates Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Smooth Muscle-Like Cells in Response to Sphingosylphosphorylcholine

The authors investigated the correlation between altered proteins, especially those related to ROS, and smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation in sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC)-stimulated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Treatment with SPC resulted in an increased expression of SMC markers, namely α-smooth muscle actin and calponin, and an increased production of ROS in hMSCs. [Proteomics] Abstract

APE1/Ref-1 Inhibits Phosphate-Induced Calcification and Osteoblastic Phenotype Changes in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Scientists investigated the possible role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) in inorganic phosphate (Pi)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. They observed that Pi decreased endogenous APE1/Ref-1 expression and promoter activity in VSMCs, and that adenoviral overexpression of APE1/Ref-1 inhibited Pi-induced calcification in VSMCs and in an ex vivo organ culture of a rat aorta. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Vascular Stem/Progenitor Cells: Functions and Signaling Pathways

During the past two decades, considerable progress has been achieved in the understanding of the derivation, surface markers, and differentiation of vascular stem/progenitor cells. Yet, the mechanisms regulating their functions and maintenance under normal and pathological conditions, such as in eye diseases, remain to be further elucidated. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field.

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals to Present Results from Joint Research Collaboration with Sarepta Therapeutics

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the company will present data from the Catabasis and Sarepta joint research collaboration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a poster presentation titled “Edasalonexent, an NF-kB inhibitor, enhances myotube formation in vitro, and increases exon-skipped sarcolemmal dystrophin in muscle of mdx mice”. [Press release from Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 22^nd International Congress of the World Muscle Society, Saint Malo] Press Release

UofL Receives $13.8 Million to Study Promising New Heart Failure Treatment

The University of Louisville has received one of its largest grants for medical research in the school’s 219-year history, a $13.8 million award from the National Institutes of Health to study a promising new type of adult cardiac stem cell that has the potential to treat heart failure. [University of Louisville] Press Release

BioCardia Announces Successful Interim Safety Analysis in Its Phase III Clinical Trial of CardiAMP Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Failure

BioCardia announced that the independent data safety monitoring board has completed the pre-specified interim analysis of safety outcomes for the first ten patients treated in the Phase III trial of its investigational CardiAMP cell therapy product. [BioCardia^®, Inc.] Press Release

Capricor Therapeutics Advances Clinical Development Program in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with Naming of Principal Investigator

Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the national principal investigator for its HOPE-2 Trial will be Craig M. McDonald, M.D., a distinguished thought leader in the clinical management of neuromuscular diseases, including muscular dystrophies, and the development of novel outcome measures for Duchenne muscular dystrophy clinical trials. [Capricor Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

How the Latest US Travel Ban Could Affect Science

Trump announced permanent travel restrictions on citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. That list includes five Muslim-majority countries that were targeted in the White House’s first and second travel bans, which Trump signed in January and March. Those policies, which were designed as temporary measures, have been limited by a series of federal court rulings. [Nature News] Editorial

Researchers Caught in Growing Rift over Catalan Independence

Scientists in Catalonia are feeling the ripples of a severe crisis as the region’s bid for independence from Spain comes to a head. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

French Government Proposes Big Science-Spending Boost

French research funding is set for a heartening increase in the country’s first budget under President Emmanuel Macron, if draft 2018 plans are voted into law. [Nature News] Editorial

After Upheaval, Russian Academy of Sciences Gets New Leader

After months of uncertainty, the Russian Academy of Sciences finally has a new leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin approved physicist Alexander Sergeyev as the academy’s president for the next 5 years. Sergeyev has vowed to secure more money for Russian science and create a fund, through a new tax on fossil fuel company profits, for upgrading the country’s antiquated research infrastructure. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The 2018 World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS)
January 22-26, 2018
Miami, Florida, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Smooth Muscle Biology (Boston Children’s Hospital & Harvard Medical School)

NEW Research Assistant – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (University of Oxford)

NEW Assistant Professor – Musculoskeletal Biology (University of Alabama)

Postdoctoral Associate – Skeletal Muscle Differentiation (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Research Positions – Molecular and Integrative Biology of Heart and Muscle (University of Minnesota Medical School)

Faculty Positions – Cardiovascular Biology (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Researcher – Skeletal Tissue Engineering (KU Leuven)

Tenure-Track Assistant or Associate Professor – Human Cardiac and Cardiovascular Development (Columbia University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cardiology (Temple University)

Scientist – Obesity, Metabolic & Muscle Diseases (Regeneron)

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.