Muscle Cell News 2.36 October 30, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYHow to Turn Damaged Heart Tissue Back into Healthy Heart Muscle: New Details Emerge Researchers used single cell RNA sequencing technology in combination with mathematical modeling and genetic and chemical approaches to delineate the step-by-step molecular changes that occur during cell fate conversion from fibroblast to cardiomyocyte. [Press release from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSScientists demonstrate the safety and efficacy of encapsulating human cardiac stem cells in thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamine-co-acrylic acid) nanogel in mouse and pig models of myocardial infarction. [ACS Nano] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract HSPB7 Is Indispensable for Heart Development by Modulating Actin Filament Assembly Investigators generated global as well as cardiac-specific HSPB7 KO mouse models and found that loss of HSPB7 globally or specifically in cardiomyocytes resulted in embryonic lethality before embryonic day 12.5. Using biochemical and cell culture assays, they identified HSPB7 as an actin filament length regulator that repressed actin polymerization by binding to monomeric actin. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract The authors obtained high-quality cardiac tissue-like constructs by cultivating human induced pluripotent stem cell-cardiomyocytes (CMs) on low-thickness aligned nanofibers made of biodegradable poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymer. They showed that multilayered and elongated CMs could be organized at high density along aligned nanofibers in a simple one-step seeding process, resulting in upregulated cardiac biomarkers and enhanced cardiac functions. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract To explore the potential use of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) as functional cardiomyocytes for drug discovery and cardiotoxicity screening, researchers examined the effects of bisindolylmaleimide, which inhibits native cardiac Ca2+ channels, on the Ca2+ channel activity of hESC-CMs. [Sci Rep] Full Article SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSScientists showed that irisin induces expression of a number of pro-myogenic and exercise response genes in myotubes. Irisin increased myogenic differentiation and myoblast fusion via activation of IL6 signaling. [Nat Commun] Full Article αv Integrins on Mesenchymal Cells Regulate Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Fibrosis Investigators showed that platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ+) cells contribute to skeletal muscle and cardiac fibrosis via a mechanism that depends on αv integrins. Mice in which αv integrin was depleted in PDGFRβ+ cells were protected from cardiotoxin and laceration-induced skeletal muscle fibrosis and angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release Identification and Functional Characterization of Muscle Satellite Cells in Drosophila Researchers showed that lineal descendants of muscle stem cells are present in adult muscle of Drosophila as small, unfused cells observed at the surface and in close proximity to the mature muscle fibers. [eLife] Abstract Scientists examined circRNA expression profiles of two developmental stages of bovine skeletal muscle (embryonic and adult musculus longissimus) to provide first insights into their potential involvement in bovine myogenesis. They also characterized the role of circLMO7 in bovine muscle development. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSInvestigators found that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pre-treatment enhanced acute contractile responses to bradykinin in isolated rat bronchioles, and inhibitors of RhoGEFs and Rho-kinase, but not the Src-family kinases inhibitor PP2 prevented this enhancement. [J Physiol] Abstract | Full Article Impaired BKCa Channel Function in Native Vascular Smooth Muscle from Humans with Type 2 Diabetes The authors evaluated BKCa function in vascular smooth muscle from small resistance adipose arteries of non-diabetic and clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. They found that BKCa channel activity opposes pressure-induced constriction in human small resistance adipose arteries, and this is compromised in arteries from diabetic patients. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers hypothesize that activation of RhoA following chronic hypoxia (CH) increases acid sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) Ca2+ entry by promoting ASIC1a plasma membrane localization. They found greater plasma membrane localization of ASIC1a following CH. [Am J Physiol Cell Physiol] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSTemporal Regulation of Chromatin during Myoblast Differentiation The authors discuss the transition of genes that promote myoblast differentiation from the silenced to the activated state with an emphasis on the changes that occur to individual histones and the chromatin structure present at these loci. [Semin Cell Dev Biol] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSCapricor Announces 12-Month Results from HOPE-1 Trial in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the 12-month results from the company’s HOPE-1 clinical trial of its lead investigational product, CAP-1002, in boys and young men in advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy will be presented. [Press release from Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2017, Anaheim] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSAlexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. FDA has approved Soliris® as a treatment for adult patients with generalized myasthenia gravis who are anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive. [Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release Biogen and Ionis Win Prestigious Prix Galien Award for SPINRAZA as Best Biotechnology Product Biogen and Ionis have been awarded the prestigious 2017 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Product for SPINRAZA®. The Prix Galien USA Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in scientific innovation that improves the state of human health. SPINRAZA is being developed globally for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. [Biogen] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSUS March for Science Group Faces Growing Pains The US group that sparked the global March for Science movement is facing complaints about its management practices as it files for non-profit status and signals its intent to continue as “a movement to advance science and its role in public life”. [Nature News] Editorial Key Legislator Tells Trump Officials to Back Off on Proposed Overhead Spending Cap for NIH An influential legislator wants President Donald Trump’s administration and fellow Republicans to drop the notion of capping overhead costs on grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [ScienceInsider] Editorial Bitter CRISPR Patent War Intensifies The long-running battle over US patents for CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing continues. The Broad Institute of Cambridge, Massachusetts, filed a fresh set of arguments with the US government to defend a key patent. [Nature News] Editorial China Announces Plans to Fast-Track Drug Approval China is overhauling its drug-approval system to let companies bring their treatments to market quicker and more easily. The Communist Party of China and the State Council, two of the country’s most authoritative bodies, announced plans to reduce the backlog of medicines awaiting approval by the China Food and Drug Administration. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 13th Annual Wisconsin Stem Cell Symposium Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Cell Biologist – Contractile Tissue Biology (Aspect Biosystems Ltd.) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Skeletal Muscle Biology (Weill Cornell Medical College) Multiple Positions – Cardiovascular Research (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research) Postdoctoral Position – Biomicrofluidics and Organ-on-a-Chip Research (University of Toronto) Postdoctoral Position – Myotonic Dystrophy (Vitalité Health Network) Postdoctoral Fellow – Smooth Muscle Biology (Boston Children’s Hospital & Harvard Medical School) Research Assistant – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (University of Oxford) Assistant Professor – Musculoskeletal Biology (University of Alabama) Postdoctoral Associate – Skeletal Muscle Differentiation (University of Minnesota) 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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