Muscle Cell News 4.38 November 17, 2019 | |
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TOP STORYRNA-sequencing was used to examine the transcriptomes of the biceps femoris and vastus lateralis in a previously-described canine cohort that showed dose-dependent clinical improvements after recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV)8-cMTM1 gene transfer. Analysis confirmed several dysregulated genes previously observed in X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) mice, but also identified transcripts linked to XLMTM pathology. [Mol Ther] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLSThe authors utilized human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to study the effects of microgravity on cell-level cardiac function and gene expression. The hiPSC-CMs were cultured aboard the International Space Station for 5.5 weeks and their gene expression, structure, and functions were compared with ground control hiPSC-CMs. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLSResearchers identified four factors from a small molecule screen whose combinatorial treatment resulted in myotubes with enhanced maturation, as shown by the expression profile of myosin heavy chain isoforms, as well as the upregulation of genes related with muscle contractile function. These molecular changes were confirmed by global chromatin accessibility and transcriptome studies. [eLife] Full Article To evaluate myogenic potential, panniculus carnosus (PC) muscle progenitors were isolated from eight-week old wild-type and mdx mice, grown and differentiated for seven days. Myogenic profiling of PC-derived myocytes suggested that male mdx satellite cells were more myogenic than female counterparts, independent of satellite cell density in PC muscles. [Sci Rep] Full Article Investigators report the cellular characteristics and gene expression profiles of primary-cultured myoblasts of layer and broiler chickens. Broiler myoblasts actively proliferated and promptly differentiated into myotubes compared to layer myoblasts, which corresponded well with the muscle phenotype of broilers. [Sci Rep] Full Article SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLSUsing gain- and loss-of-function approaches, investigators showed that both transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) were required for myofibroblast transdifferentiation as assessed by the increased production of α-smooth muscle actin and its incorporation into stress fibers, cytoskeletal changes, collagen-1 production, and contractile force. [Sci Signal] Abstract Characterization of Circular RNAs in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells with Vascular Calcification Inorganic phosphate was used to treat rat vascular smooth muscle cells to induce vascular calcification (VC). CircRNAs were identified by analyzing RNA sequencing data, and their expression change during VC was validated. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Abstract | Full Articles Prostaglandin D2 Stimulates Phenotypic Changes in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) facilitated the transformation of contractile vascular smooth muscle cells to the synthetic phenotype, as determined by the expression of marker proteins and a collagen gel contraction assay. Western blot analysis and a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) promoter assay revealed that TNFα stimulation resulted in the induction of COX2. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article Customizable Composite Fibers for Engineering Skeletal Muscle Models Investigators engineered composite fibers from biocompatible cores and biologically relevant hydrogel sheaths. The fibers are mechanically robust to be assembled using textile processes and could support adhesion, proliferation and maturation of cell populations important for engineering of skeletal muscles. [ACS Biomater Sci Eng] Abstract Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Extracellular Matrix News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSSex Differences in Cardiometabolic Disorders The predominance of common types of cardiometabolic disorders such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart disease is sex specific, and the identification of these and the underlying mechanisms is only just emerging. New evidence suggests that sex hormones, sex-specific molecular mechanisms and gender influence glucose and lipid metabolisms, as well as cardiac energy metabolism, and function. [Nat Med] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSSolid Biosciences Provides SGT-001 Program Update Solid Biosciences Inc. provided a clinical update on SGT-001 and reported that the FDA has notified the company that IGNITE DMD, its Phase I/II study of SGT-001, has been placed on clinical hold. To date, six patients have been dosed with SGT-001, Solid’s gene transfer candidate under investigation for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [Solid Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release | Editorial Roche announced positive data from the pivotal Part 2 of SUNFISH, a study evaluating risdiplam in people aged 2-25 years with Type 2 or 3 spinal muscular atrophy. The study met its primary endpoint of change from baseline in the Motor Function Measure 32 scale after one year of treatment with risdiplam, compared to placebo. [Roche] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSMove by Journals to ‘Seamless’ Off-Campus Access Raises Privacy Concerns One major publisher- the Nature family of journals- launched an effort to make things easier for off- campus readers. It became the first to offer a consistent, streamlined method of access, through a standard button displayed prominently atop articles in its 150 journals. But the project has raised concerns among some university librarians, who say it could ultimately allow publishers to obtain personally identifiable data about researchers without their knowledge. [ScienceInsider] Editorial NSF Unwittingly Hired a Professor Guilty of Bullying, Highlighting the ‘Pass the Harasser’ Problem The practice of “passing the harasser” is abetted by privacy and labor laws that limit how much prospective employers can be told about a job applicant. In a bid to penetrate that veil of silence, two major research universities in the University of California system have launched pilot programs that require certain faculty candidates to agree to waive some privacy protections. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Advancing Precision Medicine Drug Development: Incorporation of Real-World Data and Other Novel Strategies Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Assistant Professor – Muscle Biology (Purdue University) Postdoctoral Scientist – Failing Heart Muscle Cells (University Hospital of Muenster) Postdoctoral Researcher – Larngeal Muscle Development (Columbia University) Postdoctoral Researcher – Genome Editing in Cardiac Microtissues (The Jackson Laboratory) Research Scientists – Cardiac and Neuronal Cell Differentiation (Evotec) Postdoctoral Fellow – Skeletal Muscle (Harvard Medical School) Scientific Associate – Cardiac Cell Therapy (Avery Therapeutics) Research Scientist – Metabolic & Muscle Diseases (Regeneron) Research Scientist – Gene Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders (Vertex Pharmaceuticals) Assistant Specialist – 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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