Muscle Cell News 3.42 December 17, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYResearchers aimed to model peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) and to determine whether low levels of STAT3 characterize PPCM iCMs. [Circulation] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSCultured G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2)-S670A knock-in cardiomyocytes subjected to IR in vitro showed enhanced glucose-mediated mitochondrial respiratory function that was partially due to maintenance of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and improved glucose oxidation. [Sci Signal] Abstract | Press Release A Long Noncoding RNA NR_045363 Controls Cardiomyocyte Proliferation and Cardiac Repair NR_045363 knockdown inhibited proliferation of primary embryonic cardiomyocytes, while NR_045363 overexpression enhanced DNA synthesis and cytokinesis in neonatal cardiomyocytes in vitro. Mechanistic analysis revealed that NR_045363 promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation through the interaction with miR-216a, which regulated the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Investigators describe a role for Drp1/Fis1-mediated excessive mitochondrial fission and dysfunction, associated with lysosomal dysfunction in H9C2 expressing long polyglutamine repeat and in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes transfected with Q77. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSTo validate the role of differentially abundant miRNAs on glucose metabolism, scientists transfected miR-20b-5p, a highly abundant exoRNA in type 2 diabetic patients, into primary human skeletal muscle cells. miR-20b-5p overexpression increased basal glycogen synthesis in human skeletal muscle cells. miR-20b-5p overexpression reduced AKTIP abundance and insulin-stimulated glycogen accumulation. [Diabetes] Abstract Nonthermal Atmospheric Plasma Enhances Myoblast Differentiation by Eliciting STAT3 Phosphorylation Nonthermal atmospheric plasma treatment enhanced cell differentiation in primary normal human skeletal muscle myoblast cells and increased the relative expression of mRNA levels of MyoD which is one of the earliest markers of myogenic commitment, and myogenin, which are important transcription factors required for myogenic differentiation. [FASEB J] Abstract SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSFunctionally, β-catenin/TCF inhibition or Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein-2 (WISP-2) neutralization significantly impaired Wnt3a-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell survival. WISP-2 was upregulated in human atherosclerosis and partly co-localized with Wnt3a. [Aging Cell] Full Article Flavokawain A (FKA), a naturally occurring chalcone in kava extracts, was evaluated for its anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties in TGF-β1-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells, as well as its underlying molecular mechanism of action. Researchers showed that FKA decreased TGF-β1-mediated phosphorylation and the transcriptional activity of Smad3. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell exposure to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, stimulated immediate increased levels of phosphorylated Src family kinases (SFKs) together with increased phosphorylated GluN2B and cell surface relocalization, suggesting a cross-talk between PDGFR-recruited SFKs and the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract Scientists investigated the role of H19 in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and its related mechanism. They showed that H19 was highly expressed in the serum and lungs of monocrotaline-induced rats/mice, and H19 was upregulated by PDGF-BB in vitro. [Respir Res] Full Article Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Extracellular Matrix News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSThe advent of pluripotent stem cell technology that allows cardiovascular cells to be derived from patients and healthy individuals, in some cases genetically matched through mutation repair, is leading to paradigm shifts in how cardiovascular diseases are studied in humans. The author reviews aspects of recent advances but also remaining challenges. [Stem Cell Reports] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSRoche announced that the European Medicines Agency has granted PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation for the company’s investigational oral medicine risdiplam for the treatment of people with SMA. [Roche] Press Release MyoKardia, Inc. announced topline results from the Phase Ib single-ascending dose study of MYK-491. MYK-491 was generally well-tolerated and increases in cardiac contractility were observed. [MyoKardia, Inc.] Press Release NIH Funds New Study on a Gene Vital to Circadian Rhythms Assistant Professor Shihoko Kojima, of the Department of Biological Sciences and biology Fellow at the Biocomplexity Institute, is trying to piece together how circadian rhythms operate from a genetic perspective. A new $1.6 million grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help her do just that. [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSJournals Retract 13 Papers from Heart Stem Cell Lab The cardiac stem cell field has had a rough run in recent months. Not only have scientists piled up evidence that cardiac stem cells don’t exist, but one of the leading proponents of the cells has just had a dozen papers retracted. [The Scientist] Editorial South Korean University Delays Vote on Whether to Suspend President Leaders at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology decided 6-3 to defer a vote on whether to suspend the university’s president Shin Sung-Chul, who has been accused of making illegal payments to a lab in California — allegations that he denies. The board will take the matter up again at its next meeting. [Nature News] Editorial China Introduces ‘Social’ Punishments for Scientific Misconduct Researchers in China who commit scientific misconduct could soon be prevented from getting a bank loan, running a company or applying for a public-service job. The government has announced an extensive punishment system that could have significant consequences for offenders — far beyond their academic careers. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 15th Annual Stem Cell Symposium: Stem Cells B2B – Bench to Bedside Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Assistant Professor Positions – Department of Cardiology (Boston Children’s Hospital) NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cardiovascular Sciences (Medical College of Wisconsin) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Sarcopenia (Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine) Assistant Professor – Skeletal Muscle Biology (University of Alabama at Birmingham) 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 Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University) 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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