Muscle Cell News Volume 3.00 | Jan 8 2018

TOP STORY

Getting Straight to the Heart of the Matter in Stem Cells

The process by which embryonic stem cells develop into heart cells is a complex process involving the precisely timed activation of several molecular pathways and at least 200 genes. Now, scientists have found a simpler way to go from stem cells to heart cells that involves turning off a single gene. [Press release from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies discussing online prepublication in Genes & Development] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

FZD4 Marks Lateral Plate Mesoderm and Signals with NORRIN to Increase Cardiomyocyte Induction from Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Progenitors

Using an integrated mass spectrometry- and microarray-based approach, investigators analyzed the surface proteome and transcriptome of cardiac progenitor cells generated from the stage-specific differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Diabetes Induces the Activation of Pro-Aging miR-34a in the Heart, but Has Differential Effects on Cardiomyocytes and Cardiac Progenitor Cells

Scientists determined the role of pro-senescence miR-34a in accelerating the aging of the diabetic heart. Analysis of cultured human adult cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose and cardiac progenitor cells isolated from the diabetic heart confirmed significant upregulation of miR-34a and downregulation of the pro-survival protein sirtuin 1, associated with a marked increase in pro-apoptotic caspase-3/7 activity. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Polycystin-2 Plays an Essential Role in Glucose Starvation Induced Autophagy in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes

Researchers explored the functional role of polycystin-2 (PKD2) in autophagy and apoptosis in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Knockdown of PKD2 reduced the autophagic flux and increased apoptosis under glucose starvation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Muscle Stem Cells Exhibit Distinct Clonal Dynamics in Response to Tissue Repair and Homeostatic Aging

Investigators performed clonal multicolor lineage tracing of skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs). They found that MuSC clonal complexity is maintained during aging despite heterogenous reductions in proliferative capacity, allowing aged muscle to mount a clonally diverse, albeit diminished, response to injury. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract | Video

ERBB3 and NGFR Mark a Distinct Skeletal Muscle Progenitor Cell in Human Development and hPSCs

Scientists observed that human pluripotent stem cell-skeletal muscle progenitor cells (hPSC-SMPCs) derived by directed differentiation are less functional in vitro and in vivo compared to human satellite cells. Using RNA sequencing, they found that the cell surface receptors ERBB3 and NGFR demarcate myogenic populations, including PAX7 progenitors in human fetal development and hPSC-SMPCs. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release

Complement C3a Signaling Facilitates Skeletal Muscle Regeneration by Regulating Monocyte Function and Trafficking

Researchers showed that complement is activated in skeletal muscle injury and plays a key role during regeneration. Genetic ablation of complement C3 or its inactivation with Cobra Venom Factor resulted in impaired muscle regeneration following cardiotoxin-induced injury in mice. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Expression of an Active Gαs Mutant in Skeletal Stem Cells Is Sufficient and Necessary for Fibrous Dysplasia Initiation and Maintenance

Investigators developed a conditional tetracycline-inducible animal model expressing the Gα_s^R201C in the skeletal stem cell (SSC) lineage, which develops typical fibrous dysplasia bone lesions in both embryos and adult mice in less than two weeks following doxycycline administration. Conditional Gα_s^R201C expression promoted PKA activation and proliferation of SSCs along the osteogenic lineage but halted their differentiation to mature osteoblasts. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Reversible Immortalization Enables Genetic Correction of Human Muscle Progenitors and Engineering of Next-Generation Human Artificial Chromosomes for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Scientists showed that reversible cell immortalization mediated by lentivirally delivered excisable hTERT and Bmi1 transgenes extended cell proliferation, enabling transfer of a novel dystrophin locus-human artificial chromosome into Duchenne muscular dystrophy satellite cell‐derived myoblasts and perivascular cell‐derived mesoangioblasts. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article

The Impact of Mechanically Stimulated Muscle-Derived Stromal Cells on Aged Skeletal Muscle

Researchers tested the capacity for muscle-resident mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (mMSCs) isolated from young mice to release regenerative proteins in response to mechanical strain in vitro, and subsequently determined the extent to which strain-stimulated mMSCs can enhance skeletal muscle and cognitive performance in a mouse model of uncomplicated aging. [Exp Gerontol] Abstract

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

miRNA-22 Is a Novel Mediator of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Modulation and Neointima Formation

Expression of miR-22 was closely regulated during vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic modulation. miR-22 over-expression significantly increased expression of VSMC marker genes and inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration, whilst the opposite effect was observed when endogenous miR-22 was knocked down. [Circulation] Full Article

DKK3 (Dickkopf 3) Alters Atherosclerotic Plaque Phenotype involving Vascular Progenitor and Fibroblast Differentiation into Smooth Muscle Cells

Investigators used a murine model of atherosclerosis in conjunction with DKK3^−/− and performed tandem stenosis of the carotid artery to evaluate atherosclerotic plaque development. They found that the absence of DKK3 lead to vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, because of a reduced number of smooth muscle cells and reduced matrix protein deposition, as well as increased hemorrhage and macrophage infiltration. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] Abstract

Beyond Cardiomyocyte Loss: Role of Notch in Cardiac Aging

Thorough investigation of the Notch system in the aging myocardium may lead to the identification of molecular targets for novel therapies for age-related cardiac disease. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

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

NeuX Technologies and Muscle Activation Technique Execute Letter of Intent for a Strategic Alliance to Develop Integrated Solutions to Treat and Prevent Musculoskeletal Conditions and Chronic Pain

NeuX Technologies, Inc. and Muscle Activation Technique, LLC announced the execution of a Letter of Intent for a Strategic Alliance focused on exploring and developing solutions for the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions that result in chronic pain, limited range of motion and less than optimal performance in daily and athletic activities. [NeuX Technologies, Inc. ( PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation and National Stem Cell Foundation Award $800,000 Grant to Christopher L. Mendias, PhD, of Hospital for Special Surgery

The Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation and the National Stem Cell Foundation announced that a research grant of $800,000 has been awarded to Christopher L. Mendias, PhD, of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. The study, SVFC Therapy to Improve Rotator Cuff Tears: A Phase II Clinical Trial, seeks to determine if autologous stem cell therapy will enhance the regeneration of musculoskeletal tissue and improve surgical outcomes for patients with chronic rotator cuff tears. [Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation (Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.)] Press Release

Ra Pharmaceuticals Initiates Dosing in Phase II Clinical Trial Evaluating RA101495 SC in Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Patients

Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has initiated dosing in the company’s Phase II clinical trial evaluating RA101495 SC for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis. [Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Last Patient Visit in Confirmatory Phase II Study of NP001 for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the completion of the last patient visit in the confirmatory Phase II study of its investigational treatment, NP001, in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in North America. [Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Soliris^® (Eculizumab) Receives Marketing Authorization in Japan for the Treatment of Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG)

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan has approved Soliris^® as a treatment for patients with gMG who are anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive and whose symptoms are difficult to control with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy or plasmapheresis. [Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Cellular Dynamics International Sends Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes to International Space Station on NASA Resupply Mission

Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) announced that its iCell^® Cardiomyocytes were launched into space via SpaceX’s 13^th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. The purpose of the scientific research project utilizing CDI’s iCell Cardiomyocytes in space is to validate the function of NASA’s new Bioculture System for automated cell culture on the International Space Station and to study human cardiac cell function in microgravity. [Cellular Dynamics International (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Germany vs Elsevier: Universities Win Temporary Journal Access after Refusing to Pay Fees

The Dutch publishing giant Elsevier has granted uninterrupted access to its paywalled journals for researchers at around 200 German universities and research institutes that had refused to renew their individual subscriptions at the end of 2017. [Nature News] Editorial

Chile Election Reignites Tussle over Science Policy

Chile’s new President-elect Sebastián Piñera is poised to reshape science policy in the country. His plans to forge closer ties among science, education and industry have sparked enthusiasm from scientists who hope the plan will bolster support for their work — but also concern about possible changes in research priorities. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Applications of Organoid Technology
May 27-June 2, 2018
Bar Harbor, Maine, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cardiac Fibrosis (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

NEW Research Assistant – Muscular Dystrophy (University of Oxford)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Neuromuscular Biology (University of Oxford)

NEW Faculty Position – Translational Research in Cardiac Biology (Temple University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Mass Spectrometry of Cardiomyocytes (Medical College of Wisconsin)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Molecular and Integrative Cardiology and Muscle Biology (University of Minnesota Medical School)

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Cardiac Tissue Homeostasis and Regeneration Mechanisms (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares)

NEW Postdoctoral Associate – Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine (Duke University)

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

Scientist – Muscle Physiology (Merck)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiac Metabolism (University of British Columbia)

Postdoctoral Position – Biomicrofluidics and Organ-on-a-Chip Research (University of Toronto)

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