Muscle Cell News 3.14 April 23, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYDiscovery Provides “Profound New Insight” into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have discovered a completely new function for the protein complex containing the dystrophin protein, which is missing in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [Press release from The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSKit allele-dependent lineage tracing and fusion analysis was performed in mice following simultaneous Gata4 and Gata6 cell-type specific deletion to examine rates of putative de novo cardiomyocyte formation from c-Kit+ cells. [Circulation] Abstract | Full Article Chemical-Induced Cardiac Reprogramming In Vivo Researchers present the first evidence of chemical-induced direct conversion of adult cardiac fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes in vivo. An interesting difference between their method and the transcription factor-based methods is that their chemical cocktail induced cardiac reprogramming in normal mice. [Cell Res] Full Article The authors showed that an engineered hydrogel patch capable of slowly releasing extracellular vesicles secreted from cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells reduced arrhythmic burden, promoted ejection-fraction recovery, decreased CM apoptosis 24 hours after infarction, and reduced infarct size and cell hypertrophy 4 weeks post-infarction when implanted onto infarcted rat hearts. [Nat Biomed Eng] Abstract | Press Release SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSInduction of Muscle Stem Cell Quiescence by the Secreted Niche Factor Oncostatin M Researchers report an in vivo imaging-based screen which identifies Oncostatin M (OSM), a member of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, as a potent inducer of muscle stem cell (MuSC, satellite cell) quiescence. OSM was produced by muscle fibers, induced reversible MuSC cell cycle exit, and maintained stem cell regenerative capacity as judged by serial transplantation. [Nat Commun] Full Article Scientists report the generation of 3D artificial skeletal muscle tissue from human pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with Duchenne, limb-girdle, and congenital muscular dystrophies. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Heme Oxygenase-1 Influences Satellite Cells and Progression of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Mice In contrast to the effect observed in muscle fibers, in dystrophin-deficient muscle satellite cells (SCs) expression of heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1) was decreased, while MyoD, myogenin and miR-206 were upregulated comparing to wild-type counterparts. mdx SCs demonstrated disturbed and enhanced differentiation, which was further intensified by Hmox1 deficiency. [Antioxid Redox Signal] Abstract SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSThe authors investigated the role of endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell (SMC) interaction and underlying signaling pathways in pulmonary hypertension (PH) development. FoxM1 expression was markedly upregulated in lungs and pulmonary arterial SMCs of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients and four discrete PH rodent models. [Am J Respir Crit Care Med] Abstract Scientists identified proteolytic turnover of the anti-adhesive proteoglycan versican as a requirement for maintenance of smooth muscle cell focal adhesions. Using conditional deletion in mice, they showed that ADAMTS9, a secreted metalloprotease, is required for myometrial activation during late gestation and for parturition. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract TAK-733 exerted anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects on human vascular smooth muscle cells. These multiple effects of TAK-733 were evaluated using various assays, such as cell cycle analysis and wound healing. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article | |
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REVIEWScGMP Signaling and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity The authors summarize the effects of cyclic guanosine 3′-5′ monophosphate (cGMP) on the growth and survival of vascular smooth muscle cells, which display remarkable phenotypic plasticity during the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. [J Cardiovasc Dev Dis] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSCatalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the first patient has been enrolled into its Phase III clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Firdapse® in patients with MuSK antibody positive myasthenia gravis. [Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release Scientists to Test New Treatment for Heart Valve Disease Dr. Masliza Mahmod has been awarded £290,000 by the British Heart Foundation to carry out a pilot study in patients with the debilitating condition. [British Heart Foundation] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSThe Salk Institute for Biological Studies has placed prominent cancer and gene therapy scientist Inder Verma on administrative leave and launched an investigation into allegations against him. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Women Less Successful When Applying for Patents Women inventors have less success than men at each step of the patent application process in the U.S., according to a study published this month in Nature Biotechnology. [The Scientist] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Gordon Research Conferences: Musculoskeletal Biology and Bioengineering Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Director – Center for Cardiovascular Biology (University of Washington Medical Center) NEW Faculty – Heart Regeneration and Therapeutics (University of Pittsburgh) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine (University of Oxford) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration (University of South Dakota) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Differentiation and Applications of Cardiomyocytes (Emory University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Smooth Muscle Cells (University of Colorado) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Regenerative Medicine (University of Oxford) Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Director – Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (Boston University) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Basic and Translational Heart Failure (University of South Florida) 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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