Muscle Cell News 4.21 June 24, 2019 | |
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TOP STORYSingle-Cell Transcriptomic Analyses of Cell Fate Transitions during Human Cardiac Reprogramming Researchers report a single-cell transcriptomic study of human cardiac reprogramming that utilized an analysis pipeline incorporating current data normalization methods, multiple trajectory prediction algorithms, and a cell fate index calculation they developed to measure reprogramming progression. [Cell Stem Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSEngineered Macroscale Cardiac Constructs Elicit Human Myocardial Tissue-Like Functionality Investigators report on the design and implementation of a platform for the production of engineered cardiac macrotissues from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which they termed “CardioSlice.” PSC-derived cardiomyocytes, together with human fibroblasts, were seeded into large 3D porous scaffolds and cultured using a parallelized perfusion bioreactor with custom-made culture chambers. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article Mitochondrial miR-62 Regulates Apoptosis and Myocardial Infarction by Impairing ND2 Using a miRNA microarray assay, researchers found that miR-762 predominantly translocated in the mitochondria and was significantly upregulated upon anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) treatment. Knockdown of endogenous miR-762 significantly attenuated the decrease in intracellular ATP levels, the increase in ROS levels, the decrease in mitochondrial complex I enzyme activity and the increase in apoptotic cell death in cardiomyocytes, which was induced by A/R treatment. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Scientists sought to clarify the role of exosomes in improving cardiac function by investigating the effect of cardiomyocyte endocytosis of exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells on acute myocardial infarction. Exposing cardiomyocytes to the culture supernatant of adipose-derived regenerative cells prevented cardiomyocyte cell damage under hypoxia in vitro. [J Biol Chem] Abstract Myofibroblast Modulation of Cardiac Myocyte Structure and Function Fibroblasts (Fbs) were treated to maintain an undifferentiated state or to attain full differentiation to myofibroblasts (MyoFbs). Fbs and MyoFbs were co-cultured with cardiomyocytes, with the possibility of direct contact or separated by a Thincert membrane. [Sci Rep] Full Article SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSScientists showed that PGC-1α1 elevated aspartate and glutamate levels and increased the expression of glycolysis and malate-aspartate shuttle genes. These interconnected processes improved energy utilization and transfered fuel-derived electrons to mitochondrial respiration. [Nat Commun] Full Article miR-17 and miR-19 Cooperatively Promote Skeletal Muscle Cell Differentiation Investigators showed that miR-17 and miR-20a could effectively promote the differentiation of both C2C12 myoblasts and primary bovine satellite cells. In contrast, miR-18a might played a negative role in C2C12 cell differentiation, while miR-19 and miR-92a had little influence. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract The authors evaluated the feasibility of co-delivering pro-myogenic factors, such as Wnt7a, and muscle satellite cells using a synthetic poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel to affected skeletal muscles. The Wnt7a release rate could be controlled by modulating the polymer density of the hydrogel, and this release rate could be further accelerated through the proteolytic degradation of the hydrogel. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract The cytokine and growth-factor profile, gene expression, and transcriptome analysis of injury exudate (EX)-derived cells were compared with blood taken simultaneously from the same individuals. Cellular responses to the EX were tested in three-dimensional culture based on primary human fibroblasts and myoblasts isolated from hamstring muscles. [FASEB J] Abstract Researchers investigated the effects of SPARC, an exercise-responsive myokine, on glucose metabolism in human and mouse skeletal muscle. SPARC-knockout mice showed impaired systemic metabolism and reduced phosphorylation of AMPK and protein kinase B in skeletal muscle. [FASEB J] Abstract SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSSerum amyloid A1 (SAA1) expression was detected in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) at different concentrations for different time by using Western blotting. After pre-incubation with recombinant SAA1 protein, VSMCs were treated with 1μg/ml LPS for 24 hours. [BMC Mol Cell Biol] Full Article Histone deacetylase inhibitor, butyrate, arrested vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) proliferation and promoted cell growth. Researchers determined the mechanism of butyrate-induced VSMC growth. Using proliferating VSMCs exposed to 5 mM butyrate, immunoblotting studies were performed to determine whether PI3K/Akt pathway that regulates different cellular effects is a target of butyrate-induced VSMC growth. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Extracellular Matrix News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSRegulation of Skeletal Myogenesis by MicroRNAs The authors summarize the current findings of microRNAs (miRNAs) and signaling pathways in the regulation of skeletal myogenesis, focusing on miRNAs’ target genes and IGF/AKT/mTOR pathway and TGF‐β signaling. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract The Popeye domain containing (POPDC1) plays a role as a tumor suppressor by limiting c-Myc and WNT signaling. Currently, a common functional link between POPDC’s role in striated muscle and as a tumor suppressor is lacking. Investigators also discuss several alternative working models to better understand POPDC protein function. [J Muscle Res Cell Motil] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSRocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that patient dosing has commenced in the open-label, Phase I clinical trial of RP-A501, the company’s adeno-associated viral vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of Danon disease. [Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release Jingsong Zhou Receives $2.88 Million for Novel Research on Lou Gehrig’s Disease Jingsong Zhou, professor of kinesiology at The University of Texas at Arlington, believes the debilitating disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) requires a novel approach. The majority of research on ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, focuses on the spinal cord because of how the disease affects neurological function. [The University of Texas] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSIranian Biologists Face US Trial for Trying to Take Proteins Out of the Country Three Iranian biologists are facing trial in a US court over charges that they violated trade sanctions by attempting to export chemicals known as growth factors, which are commonly used in medical research. The scientists have asked a federal district court judge in Atlanta, Georgia, to dismiss the criminal charges against them. [Nature News] Editorial UK’s Leading Mouse Genetics Center Faces Closure Britain’s leading center for mouse genetics is facing closure in a move that critics say will undermine crucial research on serious diseases and threaten the standing of UK science. The Medical Research Council has told staff at its Harwell Institute in Oxfordshire that an internal strategy board recommended the closure of all academic work at the site, threatening research on diabetes, neurodegenerative disease, child deafness and other conditions. [The Guardian] Editorial House Panel Clarifies How Universities Would Report Sexual Harassment Cases to US Funders New rules from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on reporting sexual harassment by someone with an NSF grant raise questions about due process, university administrators say. A key congressional panel took those concerns to heart by modifying language in a bill that would require the administration to write guidelines applying to half a dozen major federal research agencies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Physiology 2019 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Research Scientist – Cellular Electrophysiology (Duke University) NEW Research Fellow – Genetically Inherited Cardiomyopathies (The University of Oxford) Postdoctoral Researcher – Muscle Atrophy and Metabolism (McGill University) Postdoctoral Researchers – Cardiovascular Studies (Virginia Tech) Postdoctoral – Proteomics of Muscles and Aging (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation) Postdoctoral Fellow – Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Research (Pfizer) Postdoctoral Fellow – Muscular Growth, Wasting, and Dystrophy (University of Louisville) Assistant Professor – Sarcoma or Skeletal Related Malignancies (University of California, Davis) Assistant Specialist – Cardiovascular Research (University of California, Davis) 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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