Muscle Cell News 4.05 February 11, 2019 | |
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TOP STORYUsing skeletal muscle-specific protein arginine methyltransferases (prmt1) knockout mice, scientists examined the function and downstream targets of PRMT1 in muscle homeostasis. They found that muscle-specific PRMT1 deficiency led to muscle atrophy. [Autophagy] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSThe authors used real-time qPCR to determine the up-regulated let-7i-5p in cardiomyocytes (CMs) during the postnatal switch from proliferation to terminal differentiation and further validated the role of let-7i-5p by loss- and gain-of-function of let-7i-5p in CMs in vitro and in vivo. [Clin Sci (Lond)] Abstract Critical Role of Lin28-TNFR2 Signaling in Cardiac Stem Cell Activation and Differentiation By employing a protocol of in vitro cardiac stem cell (CSC) differentiation from human inducible pluripotent stem cell, scientists showed that expression of tumor necrotic factor receptor-2 (TNFR2) precedes expression of CSC markers followed by expression of mature cardiomyocyte proteins. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article Temporal Impact of Substrate Anisotropy on Differentiating Cardiomyocyte Alignment and Functionality Investigators differentiated mESCs to cardiomyocytes on non-aligned, semi-aligned, and aligned fibrous substrates and evaluated cell alignment, contractile displacement, and calcium transient synchronicity over time. Although cardiomyocyte gene expression was not affected by fiber alignment, they observed gradient- and threshold-based differences in cardiomyocyte alignment and function. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Combinatorial Interactions of Genetic Variants in Human Cardiomyopathy In vitro studies of patient-derived and isogenic human-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes that were genome-edited via CRISPR to create an allelic series of TROPOMYOSIN (TPM1) and VINCULIN (VCL) variants revealed that cardiomyocytes with both TPM1 and VCL variants display reduced contractility and sarcomeres that are less organized. [Nat Biomed Eng] Abstract SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSNuclear Defects in Skeletal Muscle from a Dynamin 2-Linked Centronuclear Myopathy Mouse Model Researchers identified signs of impaired spatial nuclear distribution including alteration of distance from myonuclei to their nearest neighbours and change in orientation of the nuclei. They highlighted reduction of number of myonuclei, a key regulator of the myofiber size, as a new pathomechanism underlying muscle atrophy in the dominant centronuclear myopathy. [Sci Rep] Full Article miR-92a was found to be highly expressed in muscle endothelial cells and satellite cells. Treatment with Antagomir-92a increased capillary density and tissue perfusion which was accompanied by an increase in satellite cells. However, Antagomir-92a treated mdx mice showed no histological improvement and had worse muscle function. Antagomir-92a suppressed myogenic differentiation in satellite cell culture. [Muscle Nerve] Abstract SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSResearchers showed that impaired vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) autophagy promotes an unstable plaque phenotype, as well as the accumulation of fragmented mitochondria with reduced bioenergetic efficiency and more oxidative stress. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Scientists aimed to better understand how polymerase delta interacting protein 2 (Poldip2) activated Rho family GTPases and the functions of the involved proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells. RhoA was activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Using nucleotide-free RhoA to pulldown active RhoGEFs, they found that the RhoGEF epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 is activated by Poldip2. [Am J Physiol Cell Physiol] Abstract Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Extracellular Matrix News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSConcise Review: Skeletal Muscle as a Delivery Route for Mesenchymal Stromal Cells The authors provide a brief overview of the fate and efficacy of intramuscular delivered mesenchymal stromal cells and identify gaps that require further assessment for adoption of this promising route to treat systemic disease. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSParent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) named the University of Rochester Medical Center the 24th Certified Duchenne Care Center. This expanding program of elite centers, created in 2014 as part of PPMD’s Certified Duchenne Care Center Program, reviews and recognizes clinics nationwide for their outstanding neuromuscular programs. [Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy] Press Release Capricor Therapeutics announced that it has resumed per protocol dosing of patients already enrolled in its HOPE-2 clinical trial of CAP-1002, the company’s novel cell therapy candidate to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Approximately 20 young men and boys in advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy have already been enrolled in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to date. [Capricor Therapeutics] Press Release Solid Biosciences announced preliminary findings from IGNITE DMD, the company’s Phase I/II dose-ascending clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of SGT-001 microdystrophin gene transfer for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [Solid Biosciences Inc.] Press Release CytRx Corporation highlighted positive Phase II/III clinical trial data from arimoclomol licensee Orphazyme A/S. Orphazyme is currently developing arimoclomol in four different indications, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Niemann-Pick disease Type C, Gaucher disease and sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis. [CytRx Corporation] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSUkraine’s Science Revolution Stumbles Five Years On Ukraine’s science system is in a precarious state, despite promised improvements in the wake of a revolution five years ago that aligned the country with the European Union. [Nature News] Editorial France Set to Get First National Strategy for Research France is preparing to implement a national, multi-year research plan for the first time — a move warmly welcomed by the heads of the country’s major research agencies. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Gordon Research Conference: From Molecular & Cellular Insights to Therapeutic Approaches in Atherosclerosis Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Position – Muscle Stem Cell Biology (University of Sherbrooke) Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells & Cardiac Regeneration (Temple University) Assistant Specialist – Cardiovascular Research (University of California, Davis) Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cardiac Stem Cells (University of Louisville) Postdoctoral Research Position – Cardiovascular Medicine (University of California, Davis) Assistant Professor – Sarcoma & Skeletal-Related Malignancies (UC Davis School of Medicine) Scientist – Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Drug Discovery (Expansion Therapeutics, Inc.) Assistant/Associate Adjunct Professor – Cardiovascular Medicine (University of California Davis) 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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