Muscle Cell News Volume 5.16 | May 04 2020

TOP STORY

Interleukin-13 Drives Metabolic Conditioning of Muscle to Endurance Exercise

The authors used several molecular and bioenergetic assays and generated three genetic models to determine the role of IL-13 signaling in the metabolic reprogramming of skeletal muscle in response to endurance exercise training. [Science] Abstract

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CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS

Spatiotemporal Analysis Reveals Overlap of Key Proepicardial Markers in the Developing Murine Heart

Scientists showed the overlap of markers in all proepicardial organ and epicardial cells until E13.5, and found no evidence for discrete proepicardial sub-compartments that might contribute coronary endothelium via the epicardial layer. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Bmi1 Inhibitor PTC-209 Promotes Chemically-Induced Direct Cardiac Reprogramming of Cardiac Fibroblasts into Cardiomyocytes

Researchers showed that pre-treatment with the Bmi1 inhibitor PTC-209 was sufficient to increase the efficiency of Chemical-induced Direct Cardiac Reprogramming both in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and adult cardiac fibroblasts. [Sci Rep] Full Article

SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS

Intracellular Role for the Matrix-Modifying Enzyme Lox in Regulating Transcription Factor Subcellular Localization and Activity in Muscle Regeneration

Scientists showed that Lox interacted with, and directly oxidized, vestigial-like 3, a transcriptional co-activator acting with Mef2 and transcriptional enhancer factor (TEF) TFs. This enzymatic activity was required for Vgll3 cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation in regulation of myogenic differentiation. [Dev Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Cyclodextrin Prevents Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm via Activation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell TFEB

Researchers investigated the role of vascular smooth muscle cell transcription factor EB (TFEB) in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and established TFEB as a novel target to treat AAA. [Circulation] Abstract

Cultured Macrophages Transfer Surplus Cholesterol into Adjacent Cells in the Absence of Serum or High-Density Lipoproteins

Investigators plated macrophages, in the absence of serum or high-density lipoproteins, onto smooth muscle cells that had been metabolically labeled with [¹⁵N]choline. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

BET Bromodomain Containing Epigenetic Reader Proteins Regulate Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Neointima Formation

Researchers investigated the effects of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins on human smooth muscle cell function in vitro and neointima formation in response to vascular injury in vivo. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Reduced Stiffness and Augmented Traction Force in Type 2 Diabetic Coronary Microvascular Smooth Muscle

Both mouse and human type 2 diabetic coronary microvascular vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) were less adhesive to fibronectin compared to normal. Type 2 diabetic db/db coronary VSMCs generated enhanced traction force by traction force microscopy. [Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol] Abstract

Cortistatin Ameliorates Ang II-induced Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Inhibiting Autophagy through SSTR3 and SSTR5

Investigators showed that different concentrations of cortistatin alleviated the Ang II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The autophagy and reactive oxygen species stimulated by Ang II were attenuated by cortistatin. [Life Sci] Abstract

Elevated C-fos Expression is Correlated with Phenotypic Switching of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Derived from Lower Limb Venous Varicosities

Primary vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated from both groups and cultured in vitro. A Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and a scratch-wound assay were used to analyze the proliferation and migration abilities of the cells. [J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord] Abstract

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Exosomes: Cell-Free Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases

The authors discuss the application and mechanism of exosomes derived from stem cells in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and provide evidence for the application of exosomes in cardiovascular diseases. [J Cardiovasc Transl Res] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the muscle cell research field.

Roche’s Risdiplam Shows Significant Improvement in Survival and Motor Milestones in Infants with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Roche presented one-year data from FIREFISH Part 2, a pivotal global study evaluating risdiplam in infants aged one to seven months old with symptomatic Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy. [Roche] Press Release

VentFree^™ Respiratory Muscle Stimulator Receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization for Use During COVID-19 Pandemic

Liberate Medical announced that it has received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its VentFree^™ Respiratory Muscle Stimulator, intended to be used to reduce disuse atrophy of the abdominal wall muscles, which may reduce the number of days adult patients require mechanical ventilation, including those patients with COVID-19. [Liberate Medical] Press Release

Students Stand Up for Sub-Contracted Workers amid COVID-19 Crisis

Students at a number of universities have been advocating for the payment of employees, and especially contracted workers who are more vulnerable to layoffs, as campuses shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. [The Scientist] Editorial

The Pandemic’s Effects on Recruiting International STEM Trainees

Pandemic-related concerns that have arisen for science trainees-shuttered labs, research and education delays, anxiety-are applicable across the board. But international graduate students and postdocs face a suite of unique challenges that raise uncertainty about recruiting and supporting this critical group of researchers in the future. [The Scientist] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine (Novartis)

Research Associate – In Vitro Pharmacology in Skeletal Muscle (Evotec International GmbH)

Postdoctoral Position – Muscle Denervation and Axonal Degeneration Research (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease (University of Iowa)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Molecular Mechanisms in Heart Disease (The University of Arizona College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – NAD Metabolism in Heart Disease (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Associate Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Cincinnati)

Group Leader – Cancer Biology (Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Muscle Stem Cell Biology (State University of New York)

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