Extracellular matrix scaffolds for treatment of large volume muscle injuries: A review

OBJECTIVE

Large muscular or musculotendinous defects present a dilemma because of the inadequacies of current treatment strategies. Extracellular matrices (ECM) are potential clinically applicable regenerative biomaterials. This review summarizes information from the preclinical literature evaluating the use of ECM for muscle regeneration in animal models of volumetric muscle loss (VML).

STUDY DESIGN

Literature review.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Animal models of VML in which surgical repair was performed with an ECM product, with or without added cell populations.

METHODS

PubMed, Google Scholar, CAB abstracts, and Scopus were searched for preclinical studies using ECM in animal models of VML. The search terms "extracellular matrix," "VML," "muscle regeneration," "cell seeded," and "scaffold" identified 40 articles that met inclusion criteria of an animal model of VML in which surgical repair was performed with an ECM product, with or without added cell populations. Key skeletal muscle repair mechanisms and experimental findings on scaffold type, VML location, and experimental animal species were summarized.

CONCLUSIONS

Satellite cells and basal lamina are key endogenous contributors to skeletal muscle regeneration. ECM as a dynamic tissue component may provide structural integrity, signaling molecules, and a 3-dimensional topography conducive to muscle regeneration. Preclinical models of muscle repair most commonly used mice and rats (88%). Most experimental lesions were created in abdominal wall (33%), anterior tibialis (33%), latissimus dorsi (10%), or quadriceps (10%) muscles. Matrices varied markedly in source and preparation. Experimental outcomes of ECM and cell-seeded ECM implantation for muscle regeneration in VML were highly variable and dependent on matrix tissue source, preparation method, and anatomic site of injury. Scar tissue formation likely contributes to load transfer. Nonappendicular lesions had better regenerative results compared with appendicular VML.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The preponderance of current evidence supports the use of ECM for muscle defect repair only in specific instances, such as nonappendicular and/or partial-thickness defects. Consequently, clinical use of ECM in veterinary patients requires careful consideration of the specific ECM product, lesion size and location, and loading circumstances.

Age-related Differences in Dystrophin: Impact on Force Transfer Proteins, Membrane Integrity, and Neuromuscular Junction Stability

The loss of muscle strength with age has been studied from the perspective of a decline in muscle mass and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) stability. A third potential factor is force transmission. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in the force transfer apparatus within aging muscle and the impact on membrane integrity and NMJ stability. We measured an age-related loss of dystrophin protein that was greatest in the flexor muscles. The loss of dystrophin protein occurred despite a twofold increase in dystrophin mRNA. Importantly, this disparity could be explained by the four- to fivefold upregulation of the dystromir miR-31. To compensate for the loss of dystrophin protein, aged muscle contained increased α-sarcoglycan, syntrophin, sarcospan, laminin, β1-integrin, desmuslin, and the Z-line proteins α-actinin and desmin. In spite of the adaptive increase in other force transfer proteins, over the 48 hours following lengthening contractions, the old muscles showed more signs of impaired membrane integrity (fourfold increase in immunoglobulin G-positive fibers and 70% greater dysferlin mRNA) and NMJ instability (14- to 96-fold increases in Runx1, AchRδ, and myogenin mRNA). Overall, these data suggest that age-dependent alterations in dystrophin leave the muscle membrane and NMJ more susceptible to contraction-induced damage even before changes in muscle mass are obvious.

Muscle-specific and age-related changes in protein synthesis and protein degradation in response to hindlimb unloading in rats

Disuse is a potent inducer of muscle atrophy, but the molecular mechanisms driving this loss of muscle mass are highly debated. In particular, the extent to which disuse triggers decreases in protein synthesis or increases in protein degradation, and whether these changes are uniform across muscles or influenced by age, is unclear. We aimed to determine the impact of disuse on protein synthesis and protein degradation in lower limb muscles of varied function and fiber type in adult and old rats. Alterations in protein synthesis and degradation were measured in the soleus, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of adult and old rats subjected to hindlimb unloading (HU) for 3, 7, or 14 days. Loss of muscle mass was progressive during the unloading period, but highly variable (-9 to -38%) across muscle types and between ages. Protein synthesis decreased significantly in all muscles, except for the old TA. Atrophy-associated gene expression was only loosely associated with protein degradation as muscle RING finger-1, muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx), and Forkhead box O1 expression significantly increased in all muscles, but an increase in proteasome activity was only observed in the adult soleus. MAFbx protein levels were significantly higher in the old muscles compared with adult muscles, despite the old having higher expression of microRNA-23a. These results indicate that adult and old muscles respond similarly to HU, and the greatest loss in muscle mass occurs in predominantly slow-twitch extensor muscles due to a concomitant decrease in protein synthesis and increase in protein degradation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we showed that age did not intensify the atrophy response to unloading in rats, but rather that the degree of atrophy was highly variable across muscles, indicating that changes in protein synthesis and protein degradation occur in a muscle-specific manner. Our data emphasize the importance of studying muscles of varying fiber-type and physiological function at multiple time points to fully understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for disuse atrophy.

Contribution of mechanical unloading to trabecular bone loss following non-invasive knee injury in mice

Development of osteoarthritis commonly involves degeneration of epiphyseal trabecular bone. In previous studies, we observed 30-44% loss of epiphyseal trabecular bone (BV/TV) from the distal femur within 1 week following non-invasive knee injury in mice. Mechanical unloading (disuse) may contribute to this bone loss; however, it is unclear to what extent the injured limb is unloaded following injury, and whether disuse can fully account for the observed magnitude of bone loss. In this study, we investigated the contribution of mechanical unloading to trabecular bone changes observed following non-invasive knee injury in mice (female C57BL/6N). We investigated changes in gait during treadmill walking, and changes in voluntary activity level using Open Field analysis at 4, 14, 28, and 42 days post-injury. We also quantified epiphyseal trabecular bone using μCT and weighed lower-limb muscles to quantify atrophy following knee injury in both ground control and hindlimb unloaded (HLU) mice. Gait analysis revealed a slightly altered stride pattern in the injured limb, with a decreased stance phase and increased swing phase. However, Open Field analysis revealed no differences in voluntary movement between injured and sham mice at any time point. Both knee injury and HLU resulted in comparable magnitudes of trabecular bone loss; however, HLU resulted in considerably more muscle loss than knee injury, suggesting another mechanism contributing to bone loss following injury. Altogether, these data suggest that mechanical unloading likely contributes to trabecular bone loss following non-invasive knee injury, but the magnitude of this bone loss cannot be fully explained by disuse. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1680-1687, 2016.

Control of skeletal muscle atrophy in response to disuse: clinical/preclinical contentions and fallacies of evidence

Muscle wasting resulting wholly or in part from disuse represents a serious medical complication that, when prolonged, can increase morbidity and mortality. Although much knowledge has been gained over the past half century, the underlying etiology by which disuse alters muscle proteostasis remains enigmatic. Multidisciplinary and novel methodologies are needed to fill gaps and overcome barriers to improved patient care. The present review highlights seminal concepts from a symposium at Experimental Biology 2016. These proceedings focus on 1) the role of insulin resistance in mediating disuse-induced changes in muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and breakdown (MPB), as well as cross-talk between carbohydrate and protein metabolism; 2) the relative importance of MPS/MPB in mediating involuntary muscle loss in humans and animals; 3) interpretative limitations associated with MPS/MPB "markers," e.g., MuRF1/MAFbx mRNA; and finally, 4) how OMIC technologies can be leveraged to identify molecular pathways (e.g., ATF4, p53, p21) mediating disuse atrophy. This perspective deals primarily with "simple atrophy" due to unloading. Nonetheless, it is likely that disuse is a pervasive contributor to muscle wasting associated with catabolic disease-related atrophy (i.e., due to associated sedentary behaviour of disease burden). Key knowledge gaps and challenges are identified to stimulate discussion and identify opportunities for translational research. Data from animal and human studies highlight both similarities and differences. Integrated preclinical and clinical research is encouraged to better understand the metabolic and molecular underpinnings and translational relevance,for disuse atrophy. These approaches are crucial to clinically prevent or reverse muscle atrophy, thereby reestablishing homeostasis and recovery.

Acute resistance exercise activates rapamycin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms that control translational activity and capacity in skeletal muscle

KEY POINTS

Ribosome biogenesis is the primary determinant of translational capacity, but its regulation in skeletal muscle following acute resistance exercise is poorly understood. Resistance exercise increases muscle protein synthesis acutely, and muscle mass with training, but the role of translational capacity in these processes is unclear. Here, we show that acute resistance exercise activated pathways controlling translational activity and capacity through both rapamycin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms. Transcription factor c-Myc and its downstream targets, which are known to regulate ribosome biogenesis in other cell types, were upregulated after resistance exercise in a rapamycin-independent manner and may play a role in determining translational capacity in skeletal muscle. Local inhibition of myostatin was also not affected by rapamycin and may contribute to the rapamycin-independent effects of resistance exercise.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine (1) the effect of acute resistance exercise on mechanisms of ribosome biogenesis, and (2) the impact of mammalian target of rapamycin on ribosome biogenesis, and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and degradation. Female F344BN rats underwent unilateral electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve to mimic resistance exercise in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. TA muscles were collected at intervals over the 36 h of exercise recovery (REx); separate groups of animals were administered rapamycin pre-exercise (REx+Rapamycin). Resistance exercise led to a prolonged (6-36 h) elevation (30-50%) of MPS that was fully blocked by rapamycin at 6 h but only partially at 18 h. REx also altered pathways that regulate protein homeostasis and mRNA translation in a manner that was both rapamycin-sensitive (proteasome activity; phosphorylation of S6K1 and rpS6) and rapamycin-insensitive (phosphorylation of eEF2, ERK1/2 and UBF; gene expression of the myostatin target Mighty as well as c-Myc and its targets involved in ribosome biogenesis). The role of c-Myc was tested in vitro using the inhibitor 10058-F4, which, over time, decreased basal RNA and MPS in a dose-dependent manner (correlation of RNA and MPS, r(2) = 0.98), even though it had no effect on the acute stimulation of protein synthesis. In conclusion, acute resistance exercise stimulated rapamycin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms that regulate translation activity and capacity.

Glucocorticoids and Skeletal Muscle

Glucocorticoids are known to regulate protein metabolism in skeletal muscle, producing a catabolic effect that is opposite that of insulin. In many catabolic diseases, such as sepsis, starvation, and cancer cachexia, endogenous glucocorticoids are elevated contributing to the loss of muscle mass and function. Further, exogenous glucocorticoids are often given acutely and chronically to treat inflammatory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, resulting in muscle atrophy. This chapter will detail the nature of glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy and discuss the mechanisms thought to be responsible for the catabolic effects of glucocorticoids on muscle.

Role of contraction duration in inducing fast-to-slow contractile and metabolic protein and functional changes in engineered muscle

The role of factors such as frequency, contraction duration and active time in the adaptation to chronic low-frequency electrical stimulation (CLFS) is widely disputed. In this study we explore the ability of contraction duration (0.6, 6, 60, and 600 sec) to induce a fast-to-slow shift in engineered muscle while using a stimulation frequency of 10 Hz and keeping active time constant at 60%. We found that all contraction durations induced similar slowing of time-to-peak tension. Despite similar increases in total myosin heavy (MHC) levels with stimulation, increasing contraction duration resulted in progressive decreases in total fast myosin. With contraction durations of 60 and 600 sec, MHC IIx levels decreased and MHC IIa levels increased. All contraction durations resulted in fast-to-slow shifts in TnT and TnC but increased both fast and slow TnI levels. Half-relaxation slowed to a greater extent with contraction durations of 60 and 600 sec despite similar changes in the calcium sequestering proteins calsequestrin and parvalbumin and the calcium uptake protein SERCA. All CLFS groups resulted in greater fatigue resistance than control. Similar increases in GLUT4, mitochondrial enzymes (SDH and ATPsynthase), the fatty acid transporter CPT-1, and the metabolic regulators PGC-1α and MEF2 were found with all contraction durations. However, the mitochondrial enzymes cytochrome C and citrate synthase were increased to greater levels with contraction durations of 60 and 600 sec. These results demonstrate that contraction duration plays a pivotal role in dictating the level of CLFS-induced contractile and metabolic adaptations in tissue-engineered skeletal muscle.

Western Blotting Inaccuracies with Unverified Antibodies: Need for a Western Blotting Minimal Reporting Standard (WBMRS)

Western blotting is a commonly used technique in biological research. A major problem with Western blotting is not the method itself, but the use of poor quality antibodies as well as the use of different experimental conditions that affect the linearity and sensitivity of the Western blot. Investigation of some conditions that are commonly used and often modified in Western blotting, as well as some commercial antibodies, showed that published articles often fail to report critical parameters needed to reproduce the results. These parameters include the amount of protein loaded, the blocking solution and conditions used, the amount of primary and secondary antibodies used, the antibody incubation solutions, the detection method and the quantification method utilized. In the present study, comparison of ubiquitinated proteins in rat heart and liver samples showed different results depending on the antibody utilized. Validation of five commercial ubiquitin antibodies using purified ubiquitinated proteins, ubiquitin chains and free ubiquitin showed that these antibodies differ in their ability to detect free ubiquitin or ubiquitinated proteins. Investigating proteins modified with interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) in young and old rat hearts using six commercially available antibodies showed that most antibodies gave different semi-quantitative results, suggesting large variability among antibodies. Evidence showing the importance of the Western blot buffer and the concentration of antibody used is presented. Hence there is a critical need for comprehensive reporting of experimental conditions to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of Western blot analysis. A Western blotting minimal reporting standard (WBMRS) is suggested to improve the reproducibility of Western blot analysis.

Skeletal muscle atrophy and the E3 ubiquitin ligases MuRF1 and MAFbx/atrogin-1

Muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx)/atrogin-1 were identified more than 10 years ago as two muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases that are increased transcriptionally in skeletal muscle under atrophy-inducing conditions, making them excellent markers of muscle atrophy. In the past 10 years much has been published about MuRF1 and MAFbx with respect to their mRNA expression patterns under atrophy-inducing conditions, their transcriptional regulation, and their putative substrates. However, much remains to be learned about the physiological role of both genes in the regulation of mass and other cellular functions in striated muscle. Although both MuRF1 and MAFbx are enriched in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle, this review will focus on the current understanding of MuRF1 and MAFbx in skeletal muscle, highlighting the critical questions that remain to be answered.

Molecular brakes regulating mTORC1 activation in skeletal muscle following synergist ablation

The goal of the current work was to profile positive (mTORC1 activation, autocrine/paracrine growth factors) and negative [AMPK, unfolded protein response (UPR)] pathways that might regulate overload-induced mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) activation with the hypothesis that a number of negative regulators of mTORC1 will be engaged during a supraphysiological model of hypertrophy. To achieve this, mTORC1-IRS-1/2 signaling, BiP/CHOP/IRE1α, and AMPK activation were determined in rat plantaris muscle following synergist ablation (SA). SA resulted in significant increases in muscle mass of ~4% per day throughout the 21 days of the experiment. The expression of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF) were high throughout the 21st day of overload. However, IGF signaling was limited, since IRS-1 and -2 were undetectable in the overloaded muscle from day 3 to day 9. The decreases in IRS-1/2 protein were paralleled by increases in GRB10 Ser(501/503) and S6K1 Thr(389) phosphorylation, two mTORC1 targets that can destabilize IRS proteins. PKB Ser(473) phosphorylation was higher from 3-6 days, and this was associated with increased TSC2 Thr(939) phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of TSC2 (Thr1345) (an AMPK site) was also elevated, whereas phosphorylation at the other PKB site, Thr(1462), was unchanged at 6 days. In agreement with the phosphorylation of Thr(1345), SA led to activation of AMPKα1 during the initial growth phase, lasting the first 9 days before returning to baseline by day 12. The UPR markers CHOP and BiP were elevated over the first 12 days following ablation, whereas IRE1α levels decreased. These data suggest that during supraphysiological muscle loading at least three potential molecular brakes engage to downregulate mTORC1.

Muscle hypertrophy is associated with increases in proteasome activity that is independent of MuRF1 and MAFbx expression

The regulation of skeletal muscle mass depends on the balance between protein synthesis and degradation. The role of protein degradation and in particular, the ubiquitin proteasome system, and increased expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligases, MuRF1 and MAFbx/atrogin-1, in the regulation of muscle size in response to growth stimuli is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to measure both proteasome activity and protein synthesis in mice over a 14-day period of chronic loading using the functional overload (FO) model. Further, the importance of MuRF1 and MAFbx expression in regulating muscle hypertrophy was examined by measuring muscle growth in response to FO in mice with a null deletion (KO) of either MuRF1 or MAFbx. In wild type (WT) mice, the increase in muscle mass correlated with significant increases (2-fold) in protein synthesis at 7 and 14 days. Interestingly, proteasome activity significantly increased in WT mice after one day, and continued to increase, peaking at 7 days following FO. The increase in proteasome activity was correlated with increases in the expression of the Forkhead transcription factors, FOXO1 and FOXO3a, which increased after both MuRF1 and MAFbx increased and returned to baseline. As in WT mice, hypertrophy in the MuRF1 and MAFbx KO mice was associated with significant increases in proteasome activity after 14 days of FO. The increase in plantaris mass was similar between the WT and MuRF1 KO mice following FO, however, muscle growth was significantly reduced in female MAFbx KO mice. Collectively, these results indicate that muscle hypertrophy is associated with increases in both protein synthesis and degradation. Further, MuRF1 or MAFbx expression is not required to increase proteasome activity following increased loading, however, MAFbx expression may be required for proper growth/remodeling of muscle in response to increase loading.

Maintenance of muscle mass and load-induced growth in Muscle RING Finger 1 null mice with age

Age-related loss of muscle mass occurs to varying degrees in all individuals and has a detrimental effect on morbidity and mortality. Muscle RING Finger 1 (MuRF1), a muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, is believed to mediate muscle atrophy through the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Deletion of MuRF1 (KO) in mice attenuates the loss of muscle mass following denervation, disuse, and glucocorticoid treatment; however, its role in age-related muscle loss is unknown. In this study, skeletal muscle from male wild-type (WT) and MuRF1 KO mice was studied up to the age of 24 months. Muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area decreased significantly with age in WT, but not in KO mice. In aged WT muscle, significant decreases in proteasome activities, especially 20S and 26S β5 (20–40% decrease), were measured and were associated with significant increases in the maladaptive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker, CHOP. Conversely, in aged MuRF1 KO mice, 20S or 26S β5 proteasome activity was maintained or decreased to a lesser extent than in WT mice, and no increase in CHOP expression was measured. Examination of the growth response of older (18 months) mice to functional overload revealed that old WT mice had significantly less growth relative to young mice (1.37- vs. 1.83-fold), whereas old MuRF1 KO mice had a normal growth response (1.74- vs. 1.90-fold). These data collectively suggest that with age, MuRF1 plays an important role in the control of skeletal muscle mass and growth capacity through the regulation of cellular stress.

Altered gene expression patterns in muscle ring finger 1 null mice during denervation- and dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy

Muscle atrophy can result from inactivity or unloading on one hand or the induction of a catabolic state on the other. Muscle-specific ring finger 1 (MuRF1), a member of the tripartite motif family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, is an essential mediator of multiple conditions inducing muscle atrophy. While most studies have focused on the role of MuRF1 in protein degradation, the protein may have other roles in regulating skeletal muscle mass and metabolism. We therefore systematically evaluated the effect of MuRF1 on gene expression during denervation and dexamethasone-induced atrophy. We find that the lack of MuRF1 leads to few differences in control animals, but there were several significant differences in specific sets of genes upon denervation- and dexamethasone-induced atrophy. For example, during denervation, MuRF1 knockout mice showed delayed repression of metabolic and structural genes and blunted induction of genes associated with the neuromuscular junction. In the latter case, this pattern correlates with blunted HDAC4 and myogenin upregulation. Lack of MuRF1 caused fewer changes in the dexamethasone-induced atrophy program, but certain genes involved in fat metabolism and intracellular signaling were affected. Our results demonstrate a new role for MuRF1 in influencing gene expression in two important models of muscle atrophy.

Disuse-induced muscle wasting

Loss of skeletal muscle mass occurs frequently in clinical settings in response to joint immobilization and bed rest, and is induced by a combination of unloading and inactivity. Disuse-induced atrophy will likely affect every person in his or her lifetime, and can be debilitating especially in the elderly. Currently there are no good therapies to treat disuse-induced muscle atrophy, in part, due to a lack of understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the induction and maintenance of muscle atrophy. Our current understanding of disuse atrophy comes from the investigation of a variety of models (joint immobilization, hindlimb unloading, bed rest, spinal cord injury) in both animals and humans. Under conditions of unloading, it is widely accepted that there is a decrease in protein synthesis, however, the role of protein degradation, especially in humans, is debated. This review will examine the current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating muscle loss under disuse conditions, discussing the similarities and areas of dispute between the animal and human literature. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Molecular basis of muscle wasting.

mTOR regulates fatty infiltration through SREBP-1 and PPARγ after a combined massive rotator cuff tear and suprascapular nerve injury in rats

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are among the most common injuries seen in orthopedic patients. Chronic tears can result in the development of muscular atrophy and fatty infiltration. Despite the prevalence of RCTs, little is known about the underlying molecular pathways that produce these changes. Recently, we have shown that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling plays an important role in muscle atrophy that results from massive RCTs in a rat model. The purpose of this study was therefore to extend our understanding of mTOR signaling and evaluate its role in fatty infiltration after a combined tendon transection and suprascapular nerve denervation surgery. Akt/mTOR signaling was significantly increased and resulted in the up-regulation of two transcription factors: SREBP-1 and PPARγ. We also saw an increase in expression of adipogenic markers: C/EBP-α and FASN. Upon treatment with rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR, we observed a decrease in mTOR signaling, activity of transcription factors, and reduction in fatty infiltration. Therefore, our study suggests that mTOR signaling mediates rotator cuff fatty infiltration via SREBP-1 and PPARγ. Clinically, our finding may alter current treatment methods to address rotator cuff fatty infiltration.

Evaluation of Akt/mTOR activity in muscle atrophy after rotator cuff tears in a rat model

Atrophy of the rotator cuff muscles is a factor that complicates the treatment of a massive rotator cuff tear (RCT). However, the molecular mechanisms that govern the development of muscle atrophy after RCTs have not been well defined. The Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway plays a central role in maintaining muscle mass in response to mechanical loading. The role of this pathway in the development of muscle atrophy after a massive RCT remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regulation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in the development of muscle atrophy after a RCT and suprascapular nerve (SSN) injury. We evaluated the activity of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and how this pathway interacts with two atrophy-related genes, MuRF-1 and MAFbx, in supraspinatus muscles of rats that underwent unilateral complete rotator cuff tendon transection or SSN transection. Akt/mTOR activity was significantly reduced after tendon rupture, but increased after nerve injury. MuRF-1 and MAFbx were only up-regulated following denervation. These results suggest that tendon transection leads to a decrease in protein synthesis with down-regulation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, whereas denervation leads to an increase in protein degradation via up-regulation of expression of MuRF-1 and MAFbx.

Upregulation of proteasome activity in muscle RING finger 1-null mice following denervation

Deletion of muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, leads to sparing of muscle mass following denervation. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that muscle sparing in mice with a deletion of MuRF1 is due to the selective inhibition of the ubiquitin proteasome system. Activities of the 20S and 26S proteasomes, calpain and cathepsin L, were measured in the triceps surae muscles of wild-type (WT) and MuRF1-knockout (KO) mice at 3 and 14 d following denervation. In addition, fractional protein synthesis rates and differential gene expression were measured in WT and KO muscle. The major finding was that 20S and 26S proteasome activities were significantly elevated (1.5- to 2.5-fold) after 14 d of denervation in both WT and KO mice relative to control, but interestingly, the activities of both the 20S and 26S proteasome were significantly higher in KO than WT mice. Further, mRNA expression of MAFbx was elevated after 14 d of denervation in KO, but not WT, mice. These data challenge the conventional dogma that MuRF1 is controlling the degradation of only contractile proteins and suggest a role for MuRF1 in the global control of the ubiquitin proteasome system and protein turnover.

A cell-autonomous role for the glucocorticoid receptor in skeletal muscle atrophy induced by systemic glucocorticoid exposure

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are important regulators of skeletal muscle mass, and prolonged exposure will induce significant muscle atrophy. To better understand the mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy induced by elevated GC levels, we examined three different models: exogenous synthetic GC treatment [dexamethasone (DEX)], nutritional deprivation, and denervation. Specifically, we tested the direct contribution of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in skeletal muscle atrophy by creating a muscle-specific GR-knockout mouse line (MGR(e3)KO) using Cre-lox technology. In MGR(e3)KO mice, we found that the GR is essential for muscle atrophy in response to high-dose DEX treatment. In addition, DEX regulation of multiple genes, including two important atrophy markers, MuRF1 and MAFbx, is eliminated completely in the MGR(e3)KO mice. In a condition where endogenous GCs are elevated, such as nutritional deprivation, induction of MuRF1 and MAFbx was inhibited, but not completely blocked, in MGR(e3)KO mice. In response to sciatic nerve lesion and hindlimb muscle denervation, muscle atrophy and upregulation of MuRF1 and MAFbx occurred to the same extent in both wild-type and MGR(e3)KO mice, indicating that a functional GR is not required to induce atrophy under these conditions. Therefore, we demonstrate conclusively that the GR is an important mediator of skeletal muscle atrophy and associated gene expression in response to exogenous synthetic GCs in vivo and that the MGR(e3)KO mouse is a useful model for studying the role of the GR and its target genes in multiple skeletal muscle atrophy models.

A critical role for muscle ring finger-1 in acute lung injury-associated skeletal muscle wasting

RATIONALE

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a debilitating condition associated with severe skeletal muscle weakness that persists in humans long after lung injury has resolved. The molecular mechanisms underlying this condition are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the muscle-specific molecular mechanisms responsible for muscle wasting in a mouse model of ALI.

METHODS

Changes in skeletal muscle weight, fiber size, in vivo contractile performance, and expression of mRNAs and proteins encoding muscle atrophy-associated genes for muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF1) and atrogin1 were measured. Genetic inactivation of MuRF1 or electroporation-mediated transduction of miRNA-based short hairpin RNAs targeting either MuRF1 or atrogin1 were used to identify their role in ALI-associated skeletal muscle wasting.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Mice with ALI developed profound muscle atrophy and preferential loss of muscle contractile proteins associated with reduced muscle function in vivo. Although mRNA expression of the muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases, MuRF1 and atrogin1, was increased in ALI mice, only MuRF1 protein levels were up-regulated. Consistent with these changes, suppression of MuRF1 by genetic or biochemical approaches prevented muscle fiber atrophy, whereas suppression of atrogin1 expression was without effect. Despite resolution of lung injury and down-regulation of MuRF1 and atrogin1, force generation in ALI mice remained suppressed.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that MuRF1 is responsible for mediating muscle atrophy that occurs during the period of active lung injury in ALI mice and that, as in humans, skeletal muscle dysfunction persists despite resolution of lung injury.

Cardiac proteasome activity in muscle ring finger-1 null mice at rest and following synthetic glucocorticoid treatment

Muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF1) is a muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase that has been implicated in the regulation of cardiac mass through its control of the ubiquitin proteasome system. While it has been suggested that MuRF1 is required for cardiac atrophy, a resting cardiac phenotype has not been reported in mice with a null deletion [knockout (KO)] of MuRF1. Here, we report that MuRF1 KO mice have significantly larger hearts than age-matched wild-type (WT) littermates at ≥ 6 mo of age and that loss of cardiac mass can occur in the absence of MuRF1. The objective of this study was to determine whether changes in proteasome activity were responsible for the cardiac phenotypes observed in MuRF1 KO mice. Cardiac function, architecture, and proteasome activity were analyzed at rest and following 28 days of dexamethasone (Dex) treatment in 6-mo-old WT and MuRF1 KO mice. Echocardiography demonstrated normal cardiac function in the enlarged hearts in MURF1 KO mice. At rest, heart mass and cardiomyocyte diameter were significantly greater in MuRF1 KO than in WT mice. The increase in cardiac size in MuRF1 KO mice was related to a decrease in proteasome activity and an increase in Akt signaling relative to WT mice. Dex treatment induced a significant loss of cardiac mass in MuRF1 KO, but not WT, mice. Furthermore, Dex treatment resulted in an increase in proteasome activity in KO, but a decrease in WT, mice. In contrast, Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling decreased in MuRF1 KO mice and increased in WT mice in response to Dex treatment. These findings demonstrate that MuRF1 plays an important role in regulating cardiac size through alterations in protein turnover and that MuRF1 is not required to induce cardiac atrophy.

Muscle sparing in muscle RING finger 1 null mice: response to synthetic glucocorticoids

Skeletal muscle atrophy occurs under a variety of conditions and can result from alterations in both protein synthesis and protein degradation. The muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases, MuRF1 and MAFbx, are excellent markers of muscle atrophy and increase under divergent atrophy-inducing conditions such as denervation and glucocorticoid treatment. While deletion of MuRF1 or MAFbx has been reported to spare muscle mass following 14 days of denervation, their role in other atrophy-inducing conditions is unclear. The goal of this study was to determine whether deletion of MuRF1 or MAFbx attenuates muscle atrophy after 2 weeks of treatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX). The response of the triceps surae (TS) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles to 14 days of DEX treatment (3 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) was examined in 4 month-old male and female wild type (WT) and MuRF1 or MAFbx knock out (KO) mice. Following 14 days of DEX treatment, muscle wet weight was significantly decreased in the TS and TA of WT mice. Comparison of WT and KO mice following DEX treatment revealed significant sparing of mass in both sexes of the MuRF1 KO mice, but no muscle sparing in MAFbx KO mice. Further analysis of the MuRF1 KO mice showed significant sparing of fibre cross-sectional area and tension output in the gastrocnemius (GA) after DEX treatment. Muscle sparing in the MuRF1 KO mice was related to maintenance of protein synthesis, with no observed increases in protein degradation in either WT or MuRF1 KO mice. These results demonstrate that MuRF1 and MAFbx do not function similarly under all atrophy models, and that the primary role of MuRF1 may extend beyond controlling protein degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system.

Chronic high fat feeding attenuates load-induced hypertrophy in mice

The incidence of obesity and obesity-related conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, is on the increase. The effect of obesity on skeletal muscle function, especially the regulation of muscle mass, is poorly understood. In this study we investigated the effect of diet-induced obesity on the ability of skeletal muscle to respond to an imposed growth stimulus, such as increased load. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into two diet groups: a low fat, high carbohydrate diet (LFD) and a high fat, low carbohydrate diet (HFD) fed ad libitum for 14 weeks. Mice from each diet group were divided into two treatment groups: sedentary control or bilateral functional overload (FO) of the plantaris muscle. Mice were evaluated at 3, 7, 14 or 30 days following FO. By 14 days of FO, there was a 10% reduction (P < 0.05) in absolute growth of the plantaris in response to overload in HFD mice vs. LFD mice. By 30 days the attenuation in growth increased to 16% in HFD mice compared to LFD mice. Following FO, there was a reduction in the formation of polysomes in the HFD mice relative to the LFD mice, suggesting a decrease in protein translation. Further, activation of Akt and S6K1, in response to increased mechanical loading, was significantly attenuated in the HFD mice relative to the LFD mice. In conclusion, chronic high fat feeding impairs the ability of skeletal muscle to hypertrophy in response to increased mechanical load. This failure coincided with a failure to activate key members of the Akt/mTOR signalling pathway and increase protein translation.

Age-related deficit in load-induced skeletal muscle growth

The growth response of ankle flexor and extensor muscles to two models of increased loading, functional overload (FO) and hind-limb reloading following hind-limb suspension, was measured by wet weight in Fisher 344-Brown Norway rats at ages ranging from 6 to 30 months. In response to FO, there was a 40% decrease in absolute growth of the plantaris beginning in middle age. Interestingly, the growth response to FO of 30-month old rats maintained on a 40% calorie-restricted diet improved by more than twofold relative to 30-month old rats on a normal chow diet. Recovery of muscle mass upon reloading following disuse was significantly impaired (reduced 7-16%) in predominantly fast, but not slow, muscles of 30-month relative to 9-month old rats. Initial investigation of the Akt signaling pathway following FO suggests a reduction or delay in activation of Akt and its downstream targets in response to increased loading in old rats.

The glucocorticoid receptor and FOXO1 synergistically activate the skeletal muscle atrophy-associated MuRF1 gene

The muscle specific ubiquitin E3 ligase MuRF1 has been implicated as a key regulator of muscle atrophy under a variety of conditions, such as during synthetic glucocorticoid treatment. FOXO class transcription factors have been proposed as important regulators of MuRF1 expression, but its regulation by glucocorticoids is not well understood. The MuRF1 promoter contains a near-perfect palindromic glucocorticoid response element (GRE) 200 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site. The GRE is highly conserved in the mouse, rat, and human genes along with a directly adjacent FOXO binding element (FBE). Transient transfection assays in HepG2 cells and C(2)C(12) myotubes demonstrate that the MuRF1 promoter is responsive to both the dexamethasone (DEX)-activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and FOXO1, whereas coexpression of GR and FOXO1 leads to a dramatic synergistic increase in reporter gene activity. Mutation of either the GRE or the FBE significantly impairs activation of the MuRF1 promoter. Consistent with these findings, DEX-induced upregulation of MuRF1 is significantly attenuated in mice expressing a homodimerization-deficient GR despite no effect on the degree of muscle loss in these mice vs. their wild-type counterparts. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis reveals that both GR and FOXO1 bind to the endogenous MuRF1 promoter in C(2)C(12) myotubes, and IGF-I inhibition of DEX-induced MuRF1 expression correlates with the loss of FOXO1 binding. These findings present new insights into the role of the GR and FOXO family of transcription factors in the transcriptional regulation of the MuRF1 gene, a direct target of the GR in skeletal muscle.

A functional insulin-like growth factor receptor is not necessary for load-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy

Increasing the mechanical load on skeletal muscle results in increased expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which is thought to be a critical step in the induction of muscle hypertrophy. To determine the role of the IGF-I receptor in load-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy, we utilized a transgenic mouse model (MKR) that expresses a dominant negative IGF-I receptor specifically in skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle hypertrophy was induced in the plantaris muscle using the functional overload (FO) model, a model which has previously been shown to induce significant elevations of IGF-I expression in skeletal muscle. Adult male wild-type (WT) and MKR mice were subjected to 0, 7 or 35 days of FO. In control or unchallenged animals, the plantaris mass was 11% greater in WT compared to the MKR mice (P < 0.05). After 7 days of FO, plantaris mass increased significantly by 26% and 62% in WT and MKR mice, respectively (P < 0.05). After 35 days of FO, WT and MKR mice demonstrated significant increases of 100% and 122%, respectively, in plantaris mass (P < 0.05). Further, at no time point was the degree of hypertrophy significantly different between the WT and MKR mice. Previous research suggests that IGF-I induces muscle growth through activation of the Akt-mTOR signalling pathway; therefore, we measured the phosphorylation status of Akt and p70(s6k) in the WT and MKR mice after 7 days of FO. Significant increases of approximately 100% and approximately 200% in Akt (Ser-473) and p70(s6k) (Thr-389) phosphorylation were measured in overloaded plantaris from both WT and MKR mice, respectively. Moreover, no differences were detected between the WT and MKR mice. These data suggest that increased mechanical load can induce muscle hypertrophy and activate the Akt and p70(s6k) independent of a functioning IGF-I receptor.

The histone deacetylase HDAC4 connects neural activity to muscle transcriptional reprogramming

Neural activity actively regulates muscle gene expression. This regulation is crucial for specifying muscle functionality and synaptic protein expression. How neural activity is relayed into nuclei and connected to the muscle transcriptional machinery, however, is not known. Here we identify the histone deacetylase HDAC4 as the critical linker connecting neural activity to muscle transcription. We found that HDAC4 is normally concentrated at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), where nerve innervates muscle. Remarkably, reduced neural input by surgical denervation or neuromuscular diseases dissociates HDAC4 from the NMJ and dramatically induces its expression, leading to robust HDAC4 nuclear accumulation. We present evidence that nuclear accumulated HDAC4 is responsible for the coordinated induction of synaptic genes upon denervation. Inactivation of HDAC4 prevents denervation-induced synaptic acetyl-choline receptor (nAChR) and MUSK transcription whereas forced expression of HDAC4 mimics denervation and activates ectopic nAChR transcription throughout myofibers. We determined that HDAC4 executes activity-dependent transcription by regulating the Dach2-myogenin transcriptional cascade where inhibition of the repressor Dach2 by HDAC4 permits the induction of the transcription factor myogenin, which in turn activates synaptic gene expression. Our findings establish HDAC4 as a neural activity-regulated deacetylase and a key signaling component that relays neural activity to the muscle transcriptional machinery.

Rapamycin inhibits the growth and muscle-sparing effects of clenbuterol

Clenbuterol and other β2-adrenergic agonists are effective at inducing muscle growth and attenuating muscle atrophy through unknown mechanisms. This study tested the hypothesis that clenbuterol-induced growth and muscle sparing is mediated through the activation of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways. Clenbuterol was administered to normal weight-bearing adult rats to examine the growth-inducing effects and to adult rats undergoing muscle atrophy as the result of hindlimb suspension or denervation to examine the muscle-sparing effects. The pharmacological inhibitor rapamycin was administered in combination with clenbuterol in vivo to determine whether activation of mTOR was involved in mediating the effects of clenbuterol. Clenbuterol administration increased the phosphorylation status of PKB/Akt, S6 kinase 1/p70s6k, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1/PHAS-1. Clenbuterol treatment induced growth by 27–41% in normal rats and attenuated muscle loss during hindlimb suspension by 10–20%. Rapamycin treatment resulted in a 37–97% suppression of clenbuterol-induced growth and a 100% reduction of the muscle-sparing effect. In contrast, rapamycin was unable to block the muscle-sparing effects of clenbuterol after denervation. Clenbuterol was also shown to suppress the expression of the MuRF1 and MAFbx transcripts in muscles from normal, denervated, and hindlimb-suspended rats. These results demonstrate that the effects of clenbuterol are mediated, in part, through the activation of Akt and mTOR signaling pathways.

mTOR Signaling and the Molecular Adaptation to Resistance Exercise

Skeletal muscle size is dynamic and responsive to extracellular signals such as mechanical load, neural activity, hormones, growth factors, and cytokines. The signaling pathways responsible for regulating cell size in adult skeletal muscle under growth and atrophy conditions are poorly understood. However, recent evidence suggests a role for the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Protein translation is regulated through the phosphorylation of initiation factors that are controlled by signaling pathways downstream of PI3K/Akt. Recent work in mammals has suggested that activation of Akt/PKB, a Ser-Thr phosphatidylinositol-regulated kinase, and its downstream targets, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), may be critical regulators of postnatal cell size in multiple organ systems, including skeletal muscle. This paper will review some of the recent data that demonstrate the critical role of Akt/mTOR signaling in the regulation of postnatal muscle size, especially under conditions of increased external loading.

Effect of severe short-term malnutrition on diaphragm muscle signal transduction pathways influencing protein turnover

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional deprivation (ND) on signal transduction pathways influencing the translational apparatus in the diaphragm muscle. Male rats were divided into two groups: 1) 20% of usual food intake for 4 days (ND) with water provided at libitum and 2) free-eating control (Ctl). Total protein and RNA were extracted from the diaphragm. Insulin-like growth factor I mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR. Protein analyses of key cytoplasmic proteins for three signaling pathways deemed important in influencing protein turnover [phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin, P13K/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3, and MAPK-ERK] were performed by Western blot. Body weight decreased 30% in ND and increased 17% in Ctl animals. Diaphragm mass decreased 29% in ND animals. Muscle insulin-like growth factor I mRNA abundance was reduced 63% in ND animals. ND resulted in a 55% reduction in phosphorylated (Ser473) Akt. Phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin at Ser2448 was reduced by 85% in ND animals. Downstream effectors important in translation initiation were also affected by ND. Phosphorylated (Thr389) 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase was significantly reduced (35%) by ND. ND also resulted in significant dephosphorylation of the translational repressor initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1. Phosphorylation of GSK-3alpha (Ser21) and GSK-3beta (Ser9) was increased 55 and 45%, respectively, with ND. Phosphorylation of ERK1 (Thr202) and ERK2 (Tyr204), p44 and p42, respectively, was reduced 64 and 55%, respectively, with ND. Total protein concentration for all signaling intermediates of the three pathways was preserved. We conclude that short-term ND altered the phosphorylation states of key proteins of several pathways involved in protein turnover. This forms the framework for future studies aimed at identifying therapeutic targets in the management of short-term nutritionally induced cachectic states.

Control of Ser2448 phosphorylation in the mammalian target of rapamycin by insulin and skeletal muscle load

We have investigated the effects of insulin, amino acids, and the degree of muscle loading on the phosphorylation of Ser(2448), a site in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylated by protein kinase B (PKB) in vitro. Phosphorylation was assessed by immunoblotting with a phosphospecific antibody (anti-Ser(P)(2448)) and with mTAb1, an activating antibody whose binding is inhibited by phosphorylation in the region of mTOR that contains Ser(2448). Incubating rat diaphragm muscles with insulin increased Ser(2448) phosphorylation but did not change the total amount of mTOR. Insulin, but not amino acids, activated PKB, as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of both Ser(308) and Thr(473) in the kinase. Ser(2448) phosphorylation was also modulated by muscle-loading. Overloading the rat plantaris muscle by synergist muscle ablation, which promotes hypertrophy of the plantaris muscle, increased Ser(2448) phosphorylation. In contrast, unloading the gastrocnemius muscle by hindlimb suspension, which promotes atrophy of the muscle, decreased Ser(2448) phosphorylation, an effect that was fully reversible. Neither overloading nor hindlimb suspension significantly changed the total amount of mTOR. In summary, our results demonstrate that atrophy and hypertrophy of skeletal muscle are associated with decreases and increases in Ser(2448) phosphorylation, suggesting that modulation of this site may have an important role in the control of protein synthesis.

Proteomic analysis of rat soleus muscle undergoing hindlimb suspension-induced atrophy and reweighting hypertrophy

A proteomic analysis was performed comparing normal rat soleus muscle to soleus muscle that had undergone either 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days of hindlimb suspension-induced atrophy or hindlimb suspension-induced atrophied soleus muscle that had undergone 1 hour, 8 hour, 1 day, 2 day, 4 day and 7 days of reweighting-induced hypertrophy. Muscle mass measurements demonstrated continual loss of soleus mass occurred throughout the 21 days of hindlimb suspension; following reweighting, atrophied soleus muscle mass increased dramatically between 8 hours and 1 day post reweighting. Proteomic analysis of normal and atrophied soleus muscle demonstrated statistically significant changes in the relative levels of 29 soleus proteins. Reweighting following atrophy demonstrated statistically significant changes in the relative levels of 15 soleus proteins. Protein identification using mass spectrometry was attempted for all differentially regulated proteins from both atrophied and hypertrophied soleus muscle. Five differentially regulated proteins from the hindlimb suspended atrophied soleus muscle were identified while five proteins were identified in the reweighting-induced hypertrophied soleus muscles. The identified proteins could be generally grouped together as metabolic proteins, chaperone proteins and contractile apparatus proteins. Together these data demonstrate that coordinated temporally regulated changes in the skeletal muscle proteome occur during disuse-induced soleus muscle atrophy and reweighting hypertrophy.

Proteomic analysis of rat soleus and tibialis anterior muscle following immobilization

A proteomic analysis was performed comparing normal slow twitch type fiber rat soleus muscle and normal fast twitch type fiber tibialis anterior muscle to immobilized soleus and tibialis anterior muscles at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days post immobilization. Muscle mass measurements demonstrate mass changes throughout the period of immobilization. Proteomic analysis of normal and atrophied soleus muscle demonstrated statistically significant changes in the relative levels of 17 proteins. Proteomic analysis of normal and atrophied tibialis anterior muscle demonstrated statistically significant changes in the relative levels of 45 proteins. Protein identification using mass spectrometry was attempted for all differentially regulated proteins from both soleus and tibialis anterior muscles. Four differentially regulated soleus proteins and six differentially regulated tibialis anterior proteins were identified. The identified proteins can be grouped according to function as metabolic proteins, chaperone proteins, and contractile apparatus proteins. Together these data demonstrate that coordinated temporally regulated changes in the proteome occur during immobilization-induced atrophy in both slow twitch and fast twitch fiber type skeletal muscle.

Size and myonuclear domains in Rhesus soleus muscle fibers: short-term spaceflight

The cross-sectional area (CSA), myonuclear number per mm of fiber length, and myonuclear domain (cytoplasmic volume/myonucleus) of mechanically isolated single fibers from biopsies of the soleus muscle of 5 vivarium control, 3 flight simulation and 2 flight (BION 11) Rhesus monkeys (Macaca [correction of Macacca] mulatta) were determined using confocal microscopy before and after a 14-day experimental period. Simulation monkeys were confined in chairs placed in capsules identical to those used during the flight. Fibers were classified as type I, type II or hybrid (containing both types I and II) based on myosin heavy chain (MHC) gel electrophoresis. A majority of the fibers sampled contained only type I MHC, i.e. 89, 62 and 68% for the control, simulation and flight groups, respectively. Most of the remaining fibers were hybrids, i.e. 8, 36 and 32% for the same groups. There were no significant pre-post differences in the fiber type composition for any of the experimental groups. There also were no significant pre-post differences in fiber CSA, myonuclear number or myonuclear domain. There was, however, a tendency for the fibers in the post-flight biopsies to have a smaller mean CSA and myonuclear domain (approximately 10%, p=0.07) than the fibers in the pre-flight biopsy. The combined mean cytoplasmic volume/myonucleus for all muscle fiber phenotypes in the Rhesus soleus muscle was approximately 25,000 micrometers3 and there were no differences in pre-post samples for the control and simulated groups. The cytoplasmic domains tended to be lower (p=0.08) after than before flight. No phenotype differences in cytoplasmic domains were observed. These data suggest that after a relatively short period of actual spaceflight, modest fiber atrophy occurs in the soleus muscle fibers without a concomitant change in myonuclear number.