Profile
My research line is based on the study of molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle diseases, and sarcopenia as muscular aging. Our aim is to find new therapeutical targets, and biomarkers for sarcopenia diagnosis. We are also working on evaluating the effect of nutritional supplements with high antioxidant potential on sarcopenia and atrophy models.
+562 2477 7243
mjose.acuna@ubo.cl
- Principal Investigator: María José Acuña Díaz-Tendero
- Doctoral Students: Paula García
- Undergraduate Students: Araceli Chavez
- Research Assistant: Juan Pablo Espinoza
National Collaborations
- Dr. Enrique Brandan (Fundación Ciencia y Vida)
- Dr. Claudio Cabello-Verrugio (Universidad Andrés Bello)
- Dra. Daniela Rebolledo (CEBIMA, Punta Arenas)
- Dr. Sebastián Beltrán (Universidad Bernardo O´Higgins)
- Dr. Edgardo Rojas (Universidad Bernardo O´Higgins)
- Dr. Alvaro Becerra (Universidad Bernardo O´Higgins)
Internationals Collaborations
- Dr. Robson Santos (Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil)
- Dr. Vanina Romanello (Universidad de Padova, Italia)
Publications
Cofré C*, Acuña MJ*, Contreras O, Morales MG, Riquelme C, Cabello-Verrugio C, Brandan E. “Transforming growth factor type-β inhibits Mas receptor expression in fibroblasts but not in myoblasts or differentiated myotubes; Relevance to fibrosis associated to muscular dystrophies”. Biofactors. 41(2):111-20, 2015. *Estos autores contribuyeron de igual manera al desarrollo de este trabajo.
Morales MG, Abrigo J, Acuña MJ, Santos RA, Bader M, Brandan E, Simon F, Olguin H, Cabrera D, Cabello-Verrugio C.“Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates disuse skeletal muscle atrophy in mice via its receptor, Mas”. Dis Model Mech. 9(4):441-9, 2016.
Morales MG*, Acuña MJ*, Cabrera D, Goldschmeding R, Brandan E. “The pro-fibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) correlates with the number of necrotic- regenerative foci in dystrophic muscle”. J Cell Commun Signal. 12 (1): 413-421. 2018. *Estos autores contribuyeron de igual manera al desarrollo de este trabajo.
Acuña MJ, Salas D, Córdova-Casanova A, Cruz-Soca M, Céspedes C, Vio CP, Brandan E. “Blockade of Bradykinin receptors worsens the dystrophic phenotype of mdx mice: differential effects for B1 and B2 receptors”. J Cell Commun Signal. 12 (3):589–601. 2018.
Valle-Tenney R, Rebolledo D, Acuña MJ, Brandan E.“HIF-hypoxia signaling in skeletal muscle physiology and fibrosis”. J Cell Commun Signal. 14(2):147-158. 2020.
Rebolledo D., Acuña MJ, Brandan E. “Role of Matricellular CCN Proteins in Skeletal Muscle: Focus on CCN2/CTGF and Its Regulation by Vasoactive Peptides” Int J Mol Sci, 15;22(10):5234; 2021
Caceres-Ayala C, Pautassi RM, Acuña MJ, Cerpa W, Rebolledo DL.The functional and molecular effects of problematic alcohol consumption on skeletal muscle: a focus on athletic performance. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2022 Mar 4;48(2):133-147.
Other publications
Caceres-Ayala C, Pautassi RM, Acuña MJ, Cerpa W, Rebolledo DL. The functional and molecular effects of problematic alcohol consumption on skeletal muscle: a focus on athletic performance. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2022 Mar 4;48(2):133-147.
Rebolledo D., Acuña MJ, Brandan E. “Role of Matricellular CCN Proteins in Skeletal Muscle: Focus on CCN2/CTGF and Its Regulation by Vasoactive Peptides” Int J Mol Sci, 15;22(10):5234; 2021
Valle-Tenney R, Rebolledo D, Acuña MJ, Brandan E. “HIF-hypoxia signaling in skeletal muscle physiology and fibrosis”. J Cell Commun Signal. 14(2):147-158. 2020.
Acuña MJ, Salas D, Córdova-Casanova A, Cruz-Soca M, Céspedes C, Vio CP, Brandan E. “Blockade of Bradykinin receptors worsens the dystrophic phenotype of mdx mice: differential effects for B1 and B2 receptors”. J Cell Commun Signal. 12 (3):589–601. 2018.
Morales MG*, Acuña MJ*, Cabrera D, Goldschmeding R, Brandan E. “The pro-fibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) correlates with the number of necrotic- regenerative foci in dystrophic muscle”. J Cell Commun Signal. 12 (1): 413-421. 2018. *Estos autores contribuyeron de igual manera al desarrollo de este trabajo.
Morales MG, Abrigo J, Acuña MJ, Santos RA, Bader M, Brandan E, Simon F, Olguin H, Cabrera D, Cabello-Verrugio C. “Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates disuse skeletal muscle atrophy in mice via its receptor, Mas”. Dis Model Mech. 9(4):441-9, 2016.
Cofré C*, Acuña MJ*, Contreras O, Morales MG, Riquelme C, Cabello-Verrugio C, Brandan E. “Transforming growth factor type-β inhibits Mas receptor expression in fibroblasts but not in myoblasts or differentiated myotubes; Relevance to fibrosis associated to muscular dystrophies”. Biofactors.
41(2):111-20, 2015. *Estos autores contribuyeron de igual manera al desarrollo de este trabajo.
Acuña MJ, Pessina P, Olguin H, Cabrera D, Vio CP, Bader M, Muñoz-Canoves P, Santos RA, Cabello-Verrugio C, Brandan E. “Restoration of muscle strength in dystrophic muscle by angiotensin-1-7 through inhibition of TGF-β signalling”. Hum Mol Genet. 23(5):1237-49, 2014.
Riquelme C*, Acuña MJ*, Torrejón J, Rebolledo D, Cabrera D, Santos RA, Brandan E. “ACE2 is augmented in dystrophic skeletal muscle and plays a role in decreasing associated fibrosis”. PLoS One. 9(4):e93449, 2014. *Estos autores contribuyeron de igual manera al desarrollo de este trabajo.
Painemal P, Acuña MJ, Riquelme C, Brandan E, Cabello-Verrugio C. “Transforming growth factor type beta 1 increases the expression of angiotensin II receptor type 2 by a SMAD- and p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism in skeletal muscle”. Biofactors. 39(4):467-75, 2013.
Morales MG, Vazquez Y, Acuña MJ, Rivera JC, Simon F, Salas JD, Alvarez Ruf J, Brandan E, Cabello-Verrugio C. “Angiotensin II-induced pro-fibrotic effects require p38MAPK activity and transforming growth factor beta 1 expression in skeletal muscle cells”. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 11:1993-2002, 2012.
Cabello-Verrugio C, Santander C, Cofré C, Acuña MJ, Melo F, Brandan E. “The internal region leucine-rich repeat 6 of decorin interacts with low density lipoprotein receptor- related protein-1, modulates transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-dependent signaling, and inhibits TGF-β-dependent fibrotic response in skeletal muscles”. J Biol Chem 287:6773-87, 2012.
Cabello-Verrugio C, Acuña MJ, Morales MG, Becerra A, Simon F, Brandan E. “Fibrotic response induced by angiotensin-II requires NAD(P)H oxidase-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skeletal muscle cells”. Biochem Biophys Res Commun.410:665-70, 2011.
Fernández M, Acuña MJ, Reyes M, Olivares D, Hirsch S, Bunout D, de la Maza MP. “Proliferation and differentiation of human adipocyte precursor cells: differences between the preperitoneal and subcutaneous compartments”. J Cell Biochem. 111:659-64, 2010.
Fuentes P, Acuña MJ, Cifuentes M, Rojas CV. “The anti-adipogenic effect of angiotensin II on human preadipose cells involves ERK1,2 activation and PPARG phosphorylation”. J Endocrinol. 206:75-83, 2010.
Brücher R, Cifuentes M, Acuña MJ, Albala C, Rojas CV. “Larger anti-adipogenic effect of angiotensin II on omental preadipose cells of obese humans”. Obesity 15: 1643-1646, 2007.
