Muscle Cell News Volume 2.41 | Dec 11 2017

TOP STORY

REST Regulates the Cell Cycle for Cardiac Development and Regeneration

Researchers showed that RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) regulates the cardiomyocyte cell cycle. REST binds and represses the cell cycle inhibitor gene p21 and was required for mouse cardiac development and regeneration. Rest deletion de-repressed p21 and inhibited the cardiomyocyte cell cycle and proliferation in embryonic or regenerating hearts. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

The Effects of Load on Transmural Differences in Contraction of Isolated Mouse Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

The authors investigated the effects of the mechanical load (preload and afterload) on transmural differences in contraction of subendocardial (ENDO) and subepicardial (EPI) single cells isolated from the murine left ventricle. They showed that ENDO and EPI cardiomyocytes have different mechanical responses to changes in preload to the cells. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-Linked Mutation in Troponin T Causes Myofibrillar Disarray and Pro-Arrhythmic Action Potential Changes in Human iPSC Cardiomyocytes

Using CRISPR/Cas9, the troponin T (TnT)-I79N mutation was introduced into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Compared to isogenic control hiPSC-cardiomyocytes (CMs), TnT-I79N hiPSC-CMs exhibited sarcomere disorganization, increased systolic function and impaired relaxation. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Therapeutic Effect of a Novel Wnt Pathway Inhibitor on Cardiac Regeneration after Myocardial Infarction

Scientists identified if and how a novel porcupine inhibitor CGX1321 influenced myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiac regeneration. CGX1321 administration blocked the secretion of Wnt proteins, and inhibited both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways. CGX1321 improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial infarct size, and fibrosis of post-MI hearts. [Clin Sci (Lond)] Abstract

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Alterations in the In Vitro and In Vivo Regulation of Muscle Regeneration in Healthy Aging and the Influence of Sarcopenia

The authors investigated muscle myogenesis in healthy elderly adults, with or without sarcopenia, compared with middle-aged controls using both in vivo and in vitro approaches to explore potential biomarker or causative molecular pathways associated with sarcopenic versus non-sarcopenic skeletal muscle phenotypes during aging. [J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle] Full Article

Pharmacological Inhibition of REV-ERB Stimulates Differentiation, Inhibits Turnover and Reduces Fibrosis in Dystrophic Muscle

Researchers explored whether the REV-ERB antagonist SR8278 could slow the progression of muscular dystrophy. In mdx mice SR8278 increased lean mass and muscle function, and decreased muscle fibrosis and muscle protein degradation. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Caveolin-3 Promotes Glycometabolism, Growth and Proliferation in Muscle Cells

Investigators found that in the muscle, caveolin-3 (CAV3) protein can activate Akt signaling, increase GLUT4 protein localization in the cell membrane, increase glucose uptake, and promote myocyte growth and proliferation. CAV3 protein has a physiological role in glycometabolism, growth and proliferation, independent of insulin stimulation. [PLoS One] Full Article

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Hypertension-Evoked RhoA Activity in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Requires RGS5

The authors investigated the influence of regulator of G protein signaling 5 (RGS5), an inhibitor of Gα_q/11 and Gα_i/o activity, on blood pressure and the vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype during experimental hypertension. [FASEB J] Abstract

Local Production of Activated Factor X in Atherosclerotic Plaque Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence

Researchers identified the cells that produced factor Xa (FX/Xa) in atherosclerosis using human atherosclerotic plaques obtained from carotid endarterectomy. In situ hybridization for FX revealed that FX was generated in vascular smooth muscle cells, inflammatory cells, and endothelial cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Egr-1 Mediates Leptin-Induced PPARγ Reduction and Proliferation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Scientists demonstrated that leptin dose- and time-dependently inducued peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) down-regulation and proliferation of primary cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell, this was accompanied with the activation of extracellular regulated kinase1/2 signaling pathway and subsequent induction of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) expression. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract | Full Article

Differential Effects of Alcohol and its Metabolite Acetaldehyde On Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Notch Signaling and Growth

Investigators compared the effects of alcohol and its primary metabolite acetaldehyde on vascular smooth muscle Notch signaling and cell growth that are important for atherogenesis. [Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol] Abstract

Apelin/APJ System: A Critical Regulator of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell

The authors review the exact role of apelin/APJ system in VSMC, including induction of proliferation and migration, enhance of contraction and relaxation, inhibition of calcification. Furthermore, they discuss the role of apelin/APJ system in vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and chronic kidney disease from the point of VSMC. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

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

Cytokinetics Announces Presentation of Results from VITALITY-ALS

Cytokinetics, Incorporated presented results from Ventilatory Investigation of Tirasemtiv and Assessment of Longitudinal Indices after Treatment for a Year in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (VITALITY-ALS), the international Phase III clinical trial of tirasemtiv in patients with ALS. [Press release from Cytokinetics Inc. discussing research presented at the 28^th National Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Boston] Press Release

MediciNova Announces Positive Top-Line Results from the Clinical Trial of MN-166 (Ibudilast) in ALS

MediciNova, Inc. announced positive top-line results from MediciNova’s clinical trial of MN-166 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [Press release from MediciNova, Inc. discussing research presented at the 28^th National Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Boston] Press Release

Preclinical Data Supporting Wave Life Sciences ALS and FTD Programs Presented

Wave Life Sciences Ltd. announced data from preclinical studies of WVE-3972-01, the company’s investigational stereopure antisense oligonucleotide designed to target the pathogenic allele of the C9ORF72 gene for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). [Press release from Wave Life Sciences Ltd. discussing research presented at the 28^th National Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Boston] Press Release

GM604 Is a Multi-Target Regulator that Provides a Novel Treatment Strategy for ALS

Genervon Biopharmaceuticals LLC. presented its recent findings. Genervon discovered and developed GM604, a multi-target regulator that provides a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. [Press release from Genervon Biopharmaceuticals LLC. discussing research presented at the 28^th National Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Boston] Press Release

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America to Present Data on RADICAVA^® (Edaravone)

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. announced it presented four abstracts, one of which was an oral presentation, on RADICAVA^® in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [Press release from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. discussing research presented at the 28^th National Symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Boston] Press Release

MNI Forms Promising Open Science Partnership with Takeda

A unique industry-academia partnership will increase the rate at which promising drug compounds can be tested as potential treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The partnership between The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (MNI) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited will allow compounds developed by Takeda scientists to be tested on cell lines produced at the MNI. [McGill Reporter] Press Release

Regentis Co-Founder Wins Prize for Regenerative Medicine Research

Regentis Biomaterials announced that company co-founder and chief scientific officer Prof. Dror Seliktar was awarded the Rita Levi Montalcini Award for his regenerative medicine research over the past 15 years at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. [Regentis Biomaterials (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Duchenne/Becker and FSH Muscular Dystrophies Receive ICD-10 Codes

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, along with collaborators the FSH Society and the Foundation to Eradicate Duchenne, announced that the nominations to create more specific ICD-10 codes for Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (Duchenne/Becker) and facioscapulohumeral (FSH) muscular dystrophy have been accepted by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) Coordination & Maintenance Committee. [FSH Society] Press Release

Brexit ‘Breakthrough’ Raises Hope — and Questions

British science is expected to benefit from a deal that would allow EU nationals to remain in the country once it leaves the union. [Nature News] Editorial

Nine Researchers Sue University of Rochester over Sexual-Harassment Allegations

Nine researchers filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Rochester in New York, its president Joel Seligman and its provost Robert Clark over their handling of alleged sexual harassment by a professor there. [Nature News] Editorial

U.S. Science Groups Make Last-Minute Push to Influence Final Tax Deal

It wasn’t your typical graduate school experience. Eight graduate students, including doctoral students in anthropology and astrophysics at major U.S. universities, ended up in handcuffs after they refused to end a noisy protest outside the Washington, D.C., office of Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The London Stem Cell Network Symposium 2018
February 26, 2018
London, United Kingdom

NEW The Stem Cell Niche Conference 2018
May 27-31, 2018
Copenhagen, Denmark

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cardiovascular Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

NEW Scientist – Muscle Physiology (Merck)

NEW Assistant/Associate Professor – Muscle Biologist (University of Maryland)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiac Metabolism (University of British Columbia)

Postdoctoral Fellow – 3D Multicellular Culture Systems (KU Leuven)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Metabolism or Tissue Fibrosis (University of California, San Francisco)

Faculty Positions – Cardiovascular Biology Research Program (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

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

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