[Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics] In H9C2 cells, exposure to hypoxia for 24 hours led to weakened nerve growth factor level, as well as lowered cell vitality and superoxide dismutase activity, but elevated levels of LDH, Fe2+, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species, triggering ferroptosis.

[Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America] The authors demonstrated that a skeletal muscle actin mutation potently caused multiple defects in actin function at the atomic and molecular scales, and it functions in a dominant fashion, leading to cardiomyocyte contractile defects.

[Journal of The American Heart Association] Researchers highlighted the crucial role of suppressing platelet‐derived growth factor‐related signaling in mediating the beneficial effects of empagliflozin on neointima formation and vascular smooth muscle cell function, which were independent of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 and glycemic control.

[International Journal of Biological Macromolecules] Methacrylated fucoidan (FuMA) was synthesized by grafting the methacryloyl group onto fucoidan. In vitro experiments demonstrated that treatment with FuMA significantly up-regulated myogenic markers' expression and promoted myotubes' formation in C2C12 myoblast cells.

[Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology] Investigators unveil the significance of PFN1 N6-methyladenosine modification in vascular smooth muscle cells, demonstrating its role in promoting phenotype switching and neointimal hyperplasia through the activation of the p-ANXA2/STAT3 pathway.

[European Heart Journal] Scientists revealed novel coronary artery disease-associated variants that may be functionally linked to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in atherosclerotic plaques. Specifically, variants in the ARNTL gene may influence SMC ratios and function, and its role as a regulator of SMC proliferation should be further investigated.

[International Journal of Molecular Medicine] The authors provided an in‑depth analysis of advancements in understanding the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis. The present manuscript summarized the interplay between ferroptosis and cardiovascular diseases, highlighting its dual roles in these conditions.

[Eli Lilly and Company] Eli Lilly and Company announced positive Phase II results for muvalaplin, an investigational once-daily, orally administered selective inhibitor of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a genetically inherited risk factor for heart disease.

[Science Signaling] Using loss- and gain-of-function genetic approaches, investigators explored the role of the muscle-specific de novo purine synthesis enzyme Adssl1 in cardiac regeneration.

[Aging Cell] Scientists demonstrated that chronic heat exposure induced skeletal muscle volume loss, leading to muscle strength and functional decline in mice.

[Experimental Cell Research] Angiotensin II (Ang II) and β-aminopropionitrile were administered to wild-type mice to induce abdominal aortic aneurysm. Increased PAR2 expression was observed in the aneurysmal tissues of these mice and in Ang II-treated vascular smooth muscle cells.

[American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology] Researchers explored the physiological role of volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) in excitation-contraction coupling and shortening of human airway smooth muscle (HASM). In HASM cells, pharmacological inhibition of VRAC with DCPIB markedly attenuated swell-activated Cl- conductance and contractile agonist-induced cellular stiffening as measured by single-cell patch clamp and optical magnetic twisting cytometry, respectively.