Muscle Cell News Volume 4.31 | Sept 16 2019

TOP STORY

A Muscle Hybrid Promoter as a Novel Tool for Gene Therapy

Investigators describe a novel muscle hybrid promoter that is highly active in both skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. It had an easily exchangeable modular structure, including an intronic module that highly enhanced the expression of the gene driven by it. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

miR-146a Attenuates Apoptosis and Modulates Autophagy by Targeting TAF9b/P53 Pathway in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Cardiotoxicity was inhibited by overexpressed miR-146a and was more severe when miR-146a was downgraded. Further research proved that miR-146a targeted TATA-binding protein associated factor 9b (TAF9b), a coactivator and stabilizer of P53, indirectly destroyed the stability of P53, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and improving autophagy in cardiomyocytes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Energy-Efficiency of Cardiomyocyte Stimulation with Rectangular Pulses

Cardiomyocyte were stimulated with different stimulation protocols using rectangular waveforms applied in varying number, in short succession. The amplitude, the width of each pulse, and the interval between consecutive pulses were modified. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Assessment of Temporal Functional Changes and miRNA Profiling of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes

The authors assessed functional physiology, ultrastructural morphology, gene expression, and miRNA profiling at week one, week two, and week four in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-cardiomyocytes (CMs) in vitro. Functional assessment of hiPSC-CMs was determined by multielectrode array, Ca²⁺ cycling and particle image velocimetry. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Role of Regulatory T Cells and Effector T Cell Exhaustion in Liver-Mediated Transgene Tolerance in Muscle

Scientists characterized liver-induced transgene tolerance after simultaneous transduction of liver and muscle. A clinically relevant transgene, α-sarcoglycan, mutated in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D, was fused with the SIINFEKL epitope and expressed with adeno-associated virus vectors. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract

Phospholipid Methylation Regulates Muscle Metabolic Rate through Ca²⁺ Transport Efficiencyl

Investigators showed that skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum phospholipids could be altered to decrease sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase efficiency and increased the whole-body metabolic rate. The absence of skeletal muscle phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase promoted an increase in the skeletal muscle and whole-body metabolic rate to protect mice from diet-induced obesity. [Nat Metab] Abstract

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1-Induced miR-133a Inhibits Myofibroblast Differentiation and Pulmonary Fibrosis

Quantitative proteomics analysis indicated that miR-133a attenuated myofibroblast differentiation via targeting multiple components of TGF-β1 profibrogenic pathways. Western blot analysis confirmed that miR-133a down-regulated TGF-β1-induced expression of classic myofibroblast differentiation markers such as ɑ-smooth muscle actin, connective tissue growth factor and collagens. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0016070 Is Associated with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by Promoting Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation

CircRNA microarray was used to search circRNAs involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension, whereas real-time PCR and Western-blot analysis were performed to detect miR-942 and CCND1 expression in different groups. In addition, the effect of miR-942 on CCND1 expression, as well as the effect of hsa_circ_0016070 on the expression of miR-942 and CCND1, was also studied using real-time PCR and Western-blot analysis. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Abstract | Full Article

Endophilin A2 Regulates Calcium-Activated Chloride Channel Activity via Selective Autophagy-Mediated TMEM16A Degradation

In cultured basilar artery smooth muscle cells isolated from 2k2c renohypertesive rats, treatment with angiotensin II dose-dependently increased endophilin A2 levels and decreased TMEM16A expression. A similar phenomenon was observed in basilar artery isolated from 2k2c rats. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

TSPO Ligands Prevent the Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Attenuate Neointima Formation through AMPK Activation

Researchers investigated the role of endogenous TSPO in neointima formation after angioplasty in vitro and in vivo. They established a vascular injury model in vitro by using platelet-derived growth factor-BB to stimulate rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

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Potential Therapies Using Myogenic Stem Cells Combined with Bio-Engineering Approaches for Treatment of Muscular Dystrophies

Artificial skeletal muscle generated by myogenic cells and muscle resident cells is an alternate approach that may enable the replacement of damaged tissues. The authors review the current status of myogenic stem cell transplantation therapy, describe recent advances, and discuss the remaining obstacles that exist in the search for a cure for muscular dystrophy patients. [Cells] Abstract | Download Full Article

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Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Announces Initiation of APOLLO-B Phase III Study of Patisiran for the Treatment of Transthyretin Amyloidosis with Cardiomyopathy

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the company has initiated APOLLO-B, a global Phase III placebo-controlled clinical trial of patisiran, an intravenously administered RNAi therapeutic, for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosi with cardiomyopathy. [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Wave Life Sciences Announces Fast Track Designation from US FDA for Suvodirsen

Wave Life Sciences Ltd. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to suvodirsen for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in patients amenable to exon 51 skipping. The designation was based on comprehensive in vitro and in vivo nonclinical data that support the potential for suvodirsen to address a significant unmet medical need. [Wave Life Sciences Ltd.] Press Release

NIH Grant Funds Study on How Obesity Affects Insulin Action on Skeletal Muscle

Through a five-year, $1.9 million grant funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases within the National Institutes of Health, researchers led by David Williamson, assistant professor of kinesiology at Penn State Harrisburg, are studying the protein REDD1, which may play a role in how the body responds to hormones like insulin or cortisol. Understanding that role could lead to advances in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and other insulin resistant conditions. [Penn State Harrisburg] Press Release

Science under Maximum Pressure in Iran

Research scientists Shahin Akhondzadeh received a novel reason why a journal was unable to publish his work: his nationality. Akhondzadeh is Iranian and works at the Tehran University of Medical Science. And for the US-based journal and its publisher, that made him a persona non grata. [The Scientist] Editorial

Clubby and ‘Disturbing’ Citation Behavior by Researchers in Italy Has Surged

The rate at which scientists in Italy cite themselves and their compatriots is rising faster than in ten other developed countries, according to a new study. The surge in Italy’s clubby citation behavior is likely the result of a 2010 law requiring productivity standards for academic recruitment or promotion, the study authors say. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

EU Research Commissioner Named, but Lacks ‘Research’ in Her Title

Mariya Gabriel, a conservative politician from Bulgaria, is slated to become the next European research chief- although her job title, unlike that of her predecessors, doesn’t include the words “research” or “science.” Some researchers and science policy experts worry the new job title could signal a reduced standing for science within von der Leyen’s proposed executive branch for the European Union, made up of 26 commissioners. [ScienceMagazine] Editorial

NEW European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) Congress
May 16-19, 2020
Marseille, France

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NEW Researcher – Skeletal Muscle Mechanics and Energetics (University of California, Riverside)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Skeletal Muscle Aging and Proteostasis (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Senior Scientist – Small Molecule Therapeutics (Almac Group)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Molecular Mechanisms of Heart Failure (Boston University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Ion Channels in Vascular Smooth Muscle (The University of Tennessee)

Assistant Professor – Applied Cardiovascular Physiology (York University)

Assistant Specialist – Cardiovascular Medicine (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Physiology (University of California, San Diego)

Research Scientist – Cellular Electrophysiology (Duke University)

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