Muscle Cell News 3.21 June 18, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYSGK1 Induces Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Calcification through NF-κB Signaling Scientists describe that serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) was upregulated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under calcifying conditions. In primary human aortic VSMCs, overexpression of constitutively active SGK1S422D, but not inactive SGK1K127N, upregulated osteo-/chondrogenic marker expression and activity, effects pointing to increased osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSCHD4 and the NuRD Complex Directly Control Cardiac Sarcomere Formation Through transcriptomic and genome-wide analyses of CHD4 localization, researchers identified unique CHD4 binding sites in smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, fast skeletal α-actin, and the fast skeletal troponin complex genes. They further demonstrated that in the absence of CHD4, cardiomyocytes in the developing heart formed a hybrid muscle cell that contained cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle myofibril components. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article | Press Release miR-217 Promotes Cardiac Hypertrophy and Dysfunction by Targeting PTEN The expression levels of miR-217 were increased in hearts from both chronic heart failure patients and thoracic aortic constriction mice. Cardiomyocyte-derived miR-217-containing exosomes enhanced proliferation of fibroblasts in vitro. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Abstract APC/CFzr Regulates Cardiac and Myoblast Cell Numbers and Plays a Crucial Role During Myoblast Fusion Scientists identified the anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C) adaptor Fizzy related (Fzr) as an essential regulator of heart and muscle development. They showed that APC/CFzr regulates the fusion of myoblasts as well as mitotic exit of pericardial cells, cardioblasts and myoblasts. [J Cell Sci] Abstract Molecular Signature of Progenitor Cells Isolated from Young and Adult Human Hearts Researchers report that 3-dimensional cardiac progenitor cell (CPC) expansion recapitulates a conducive environment for growth factor and cytokine release from adult donor cells that optimally supports vascular tube formation and vessel sprouting. Transdifferentiation capacity of c-kitpos CPCs and cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) towards cardiomyocyte-like cells was modest, however, most notable in young c-kitpos cells and adult CDCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article The role of CaMKIIδA in regulation of phosphorylated ryanodine receptor type 2 (P-RyR2) was elucidated in cardiomyocytes isolated from neonatal rats in vitro. Hypoxia induced upregulation of CaMKIIδA and activation of P-RyR2 in the cardiomyocytes, which both were attenuated by knockdown of CaMKIIδA. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Full Article SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSTwist1 Activation in Muscle Progenitor Cells Causes Muscle Loss Akin to Cancer Cachexia Scientists found that overexpression of Twist1 in mouse muscle progenitor cells, either constitutively during development or inducibly in adult animals, caused severe muscle atrophy with features reminiscent of cachexia. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Investigators found evidence that galectin-3 and the monosaccharide N-acetylglucosamine, which increases the synthesis of binding partners of galectin-3, promote myogenesis in vitro. In the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, treatment with N-acetylglucosamine increased muscle-force production. [FASEB J] Abstract The authors report that with-no-lysine (WNK) 1 positively regulates skeletal muscle cell hypertrophy via mediating the function of the pro-longevity transcription factor forkhead box protein O4 (FOXO4) independent of the conventional WNK signaling pathway linking SPS/STE20-related proline-alanine-rich kinase/oxidative stress response kinase 1 to downstream effector ion transporters. [Sci Rep] Full Article The authors report preclinical studies designed to characterize the effects of a novel JAK/STAT inhibitor on plantar flexor skeletal muscle function, morphology, and satellite cell content. [PLoS One] Full Article SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSInvestigators evaluated the expression of vaspin in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions, and its effects on atherogenic responses in human macrophages and human aortic smooth muscle cells, as well as aortic atherosclerotic lesion development in spontaneously hyperlipidemic Apoe−/− mice, an animal model of atherosclerosis. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article The authors identified the regulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) urothelial carcinoma-associated (UCA1) on atherosclerosis-related vascular dysfunction via miR-26a targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog, and investigated the underlying mechanisms in the development of atherosclerosis. [Gene] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSDevelopment, Proliferation, and Growth of the Mammalian Heart With the recent observation of a small fraction of cardiomyocytes that appear to have retained the proliferative capacity within the adult heart, as well as the identification of developmental pathways such as the Hippo-signaling pathway that can invoke mature cardiomyocyte proliferation, more studies are taking a knowledge-based mechanistic approach to heart regeneration. [Mol Ther] Abstract Cardiomyocyte Proliferation for Therapeutic Regeneration The authors review progress made toward the regeneration of cardiac tissue in the mammalian heart through the stimulation of mature cardiomyocyte renewal. [Curr Cardiol Rep] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSGenentech announced that new OCREVUS® data will be presented. The new Phase III data analyses show OCREVUS may provide meaningful disability benefits such as delay in the need for a wheelchair for people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. [Press release from Genentech discussing research to be presented at the 4th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), Lisbon] Press Release Cytokinetics, Incorporated announced data from the Phase II clinical study of reldesemtiv in patients with spinal muscular atrophy were presented in an oral presentation by John W. Day, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics (Genetics), Stanford University. [Press release from Cytokinetics, Incorporated discussing research presented at the 2018 Annual Cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Conference, Dallas] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSProtalex, Inc. announced preliminary findings that its lead drug candidate PRTX-100 reduced disease activity in a second, confirmatory mouse study of myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder mediated by anti-self antibodies that react with the neuromuscular junction. [Protalex, Inc.] Press Release Solid Biosciences Announces FDA Removes Clinical Hold on SGT-001 Solid Biosciences Inc. announced that the FDA has lifted the clinical hold on IGNITE DMD, the company’s Phase I/II clinical trial for its investigational microdystrophin gene transfer, SGT-001, for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [Solid Biosciences Inc.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSHouse Bill Gives NIH a 3% Boost in 2019, to $38.3 Billion A draft bill released by a House of Representatives spending panel would give the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, a $1.25 billion raise in 2019, to $38.3 billion. That is 3% more than this year’s level and $4.1 billion more than President Donald Trump’s administration had requested. [ScienceInsider] Editorial New Zealand Appoints First Female Chief Scientific Adviser The New Zealand government has appointed biochemist Juliet Gerrard as its next chief scientific adviser — the first woman to hold the position. [Nature News] Editorial U.S. Legislators Back Larger Facilities Budget for NSF The National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, is in line for a budget increase of 4% to 5% next year. That assessment is based on bills approved recently by the spending committees in both chambers of Congress. Lawmakers have also signaled support for growing the account that NSF uses to build major new scientific facilities. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Why the Medical Research Grant System Could Be Costing Us Great Ideas The medical research grant system in the United States, run through the National Institutes of Health, is intended to fund work that spurs innovation and fosters research careers. In many ways, it may be failing. [The New York Times] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 26th European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS) 2018 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunoengineering for Muscle Regeneration (Duke University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell-Based Cardiac Regeneration (Karolinska Institutet) Canada Excellence Research Chair – Cardiac Regeneration (University of Toronto) Senior Scientist/Scientist – Cardiac Differentiation and Cardiac Tissue Engineering (Novoheart) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Stem Cell Research (University of Maryland School of Medicine) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Biology (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation) Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Skeletal Muscle Disease Modeling and Regeneration (Duke University) Postdoctoral Fellow – hiPSC Based Cardiac Regeneration (Duke University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University) Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham) 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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