Muscle Cell News Volume 3.39 | Nov 26 2018

TOP STORY

Age-Related Declines in α-Klotho Drive Progenitor Cell Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Impaired Muscle Regeneration

Genetic silencing of Klotho in young muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) drove mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and decreased cellular bioenergetics. Conversely, supplementation with α-Klotho restored mtDNA integrity and bioenergetics of aged MPCs to youthful levels in vitro and enhanced functional regeneration of aged muscle in vivo in a temporally-dependent manner. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Editorial

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

Single Cell RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq Analysis of Cardiac Progenitor Cell Transition States and Lineage Settlement

Researchers characterized mouse cardiac progenitor cells marked by Nkx2-5 and Isl1 expression from E7.5 to E9.5 using single-cell RNA sequencing and transposase-accessible chromatin profiling (ATAC-seq). [Nat Commun] Full Article

Kv4.3 Expression Abrogates and Reverses Norepinephrine-Induced Myocyte Hypertrophy by CaMKII Inhibition

Incubation of 20-μM norepinephrine in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes for 48 hours and 96 hours induced myocyte hypertrophy in a time-dependent manner, characterized by progressive increase in cell size, protein/DNA ratio, ANP and BNP, along with an progressive increase in the activity of CaMKII and calcineurin and reduction of Kv4.3 mRNA and proteins. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Effects of Cardiomyopathy-Linked Mutations k15n and r21h in Tropomyosin on Thin Filament Regulation and Pointed-End Dynamics

Missense mutations K15N and R21H in striated muscle tropomyosin are linked to dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, respectively. Expression of the K15N mutant in cardiomyocytes decreased leiomodin’s thin filament pointed-end assembly but did not affect tropomodulin’s assembly at the pointed end. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract | Full Article

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Pannexin 1 Inhibits Rhabdomyosarcoma Progression through a Mechanism Independent of Its Canonical Channel Function

Scientists determined that pannexin 1 transcript and protein levels were down-regulated in embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma patient-derived cell lines and primary tumor specimens as compared to differentiated skeletal muscle myoblasts and tissue, respectively. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Roles of miRNA-1 and miRNA-133 in the Proliferation and Differentiation of Myoblasts in Duck Skeletal Muscle

To determine the function of miRNA-1 and miRNA-133 in skeletal muscle development, researchers found that the overexpression of miRNA-1, but not miRNA-133, promoted fusion of adjacent myoblasts. By contrast, a repressor of miRNA-1 promoted, whereas a miRNA-133 inhibitor inhibited, myoblast proliferation. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Moderate Intensity Continuous Training Reverses the Detrimental Effects of Ovariectomy on RyR1 Phosphorylation in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Treatment with low, physiological 17β-Estradiol (E2) concentrations reduced dihydropyridine receptor and RyR1 mRNA content in C2C12 myotubes compared to untreated control cells, whereas RyR1 protein phosphorylation was significantly increased after treatment with high, non-physiological E2 concentrations. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

SCAP Knockdown in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Alleviates Atherosclerosis Plaque Formation via Up-Regulating Autophagy in ApoE^−/− Mice

In vitro, sterol regulatory element binding protein cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) knockdown in human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells by RNA interference reduced lipid accumulation and increased autophagy under LDL cholesterol loading. [FASEB J] Abstract

Arterial Wall Stress Induces Phenotypic Switching of Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells in Vascular Remodeling by Activating the YAP/TAZ Signaling Pathway

Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) knockdown significantly attenuated the stretch-induced proliferative and pro-inflammatory phenotypes in human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

miR-429 and miR-424-5p Inhibit Cell Proliferation and Ca²⁺ Influx by Downregulating CaSR in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Researchers demonstrated that miR-429, miR-424-5p, miR-200b-3p, and miR-200c-3p regulated calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) by targeting specific 3′-UTR, suggesting that these miRNAs function as CaSR inhibitors in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. [Am J Physiol Cell Physiol] Abstract

Inhibitory Effects of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 on Autophagy Deficiency-Induced Dedifferentiation of Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells

The exogenously administrated growth differentiation factor 11 was found to promote carotid arterial smooth muscle cells differentiation with increased expression of various differentiation markers, α-SMA, myogenin, MyoD, and MyHC as well as decreased expression of dedifferentiation markers, vimentin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. [Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol] Abstract

Sulfatase 2 Mediates, Partially, the Expression of Endothelin-1 and the Additive Effect of Ang II-Induced Endothelin-1 Expression by CXCL8 in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Scientists investigated the effect of sulfatases on the expression of CXCL8-induced endothelin-1, a hypertensive mediator, in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats. [Cytokine] Abstract

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Modeling Elastin-Associated Vasculopathy with Patient Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering

Investigators cover the cutting edge in vascular smooth muscle cell modeling of elastin-associated vasculopathy, and aid in the development of human disease modeling and drug screening approaches to identify potential treatments. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

Roles of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog in Skeletal Muscle

In skeletal muscle, the deletion of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) regulates muscle development and protects the mutant mice from insulin resistance and diabetes. In this review, the authors mainly discuss the role of PTEN in regulating the development, glucose metabolism, stem cell fate decision, and regeneration of skeletal muscle. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

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

Santhera Enters into Agreement to Acquire Option from Idorsia for Exclusive Sub-License of First-in-Class Dissociative Steroid Vamorolone

Thomas Meier, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Santhera, said: “Vamorolone is a highly promising drug candidate for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and a perfect strategic fit alongside idebenone. Our late-stage DMD drug portfolio covers a broad DMD patient spectrum, irrespective of genetic background, disease stage or age”. [Santhera Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

Rocket Pharmaceuticals Announces Preclinical Data for AAV-Based RP-A501, the First Investigational Gene Therapy Program for a Monogenic Heart Failure Syndrome

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced it is developing its first adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-based gene therapy, RP-A501, that is designed to restore the lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 2 gene which is defective in patients afflicted with Danon disease. Rocket also announced animal study data which provides preclinical proof-of-concept for the RP-A501 program. [Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.] Press Release

Biohaven Announces FDA Acceptance of 505(b)(2) NDA Filing for BHV-0223, a Novel Sublingual Delivery Form of Riluzole for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. announced that its 505(b)(2) new drug application (NDA) for BHV-0223, an investigational sublingual form of riluzole for the treatment of people living with ALS, has been accepted for review by the FDA. [Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.] Press Release

Tasly and Mesoblast Initiate Development and Regulatory Activities for MPC-150-IM Heart Failure Cell Therapy in China

Tasly Pharmaceutical Group and Mesoblast Limited announced that the first Joint Steering Committee meeting for their cardiovascular partnership was held in Tianjin last week, and as a result Tasly plans to meet with the National Medical Products Administration of China in the first quarter 2019 to discuss the regulatory approval pathway for Mesoblast’s heart failure product candidate MPC-150-IM in China. [Mesoblast Ltd (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Rocket Delivers Cell Samples to ISS to Study Effects of Microgravity on Muscles

Muscle cells from research study participants at Florida Hospital’s Translational Research Institute for Metabolism & Diabetes blasted off to the International Space Station Saturday as part of an experiment to examine the effects of a weightless environment on muscle health. [Florida Hospital (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

How Scotland’s Science Minister Aims to Protect Research from Brexit

The Scottish government and seven bodies representing the nation’s research and higher education sectors — including Universities Scotland and the Royal Society of Edinburgh — have agreed to work together to protect Scottish research from Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial

Crashing the Boards: Neuroscientist Maureen Condic Brings a Different Voice to NSF Oversight Body

On Wednesday, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will welcome the first cohort of members appointed by President Donald Trump to its oversight body, the National Science Board. Most of the seven fit the mold of senior academic leaders, prominent scientists, and corporate research managers who typically sit on the 24-member board. But Maureen Condic is somewhat different. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Frontiers in Myogenesis – Skeletal Muscle: Development, Regeneration and Disease
September 23-28, 2019
San Jose, Costa Rica

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

NEW Assistant Professor – Skeletal Muscle Biology (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

NEW Tenure Track Assistant Professor – Muscle Biology (University of Zurich)

Assistant/Associate Adjunct Professor – Cardiovascular Medicine (UC Davis)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cardiac RNA Biology (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiac Hypertrophy & Heart Failure (Masonic Medical Research Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Muscle Degeneration (Rice University)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Exercise Science (Syracuse University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Integrative Cardiac Pathophysiology (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Associate Specialist – Muscle Aging Biology (Nestle Research – EPFL Campus)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University)

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