Lainé J, Skoglund G, Fournier E, Tabti N. Development of the excitation-contraction coupling machinery and its relation to myofibrillogenesis in human iPSC-derived skeletal myocytes.
Skelet Muscle 2018;
8:1. [PMID:
29304851 PMCID:
PMC5756430 DOI:
10.1186/s13395-017-0147-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived myogenic progenitors develop functional and ultrastructural features typical of skeletal muscle when differentiated in culture. Besides disease-modeling, such a system can be used to clarify basic aspects of human skeletal muscle development. In the present study, we focus on the development of the excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, a process that is essential both in muscle physiology and as a tool to differentiate between the skeletal and cardiac muscle. The occurrence and maturation of E-C coupling structures (Sarcoplasmic Reticulum-Transverse Tubule (SR-TT) junctions), key molecular components, and Ca2+ signaling were examined, along with myofibrillogenesis.
Methods
Pax7+-myogenic progenitors were differentiated in culture, and developmental changes were examined from a few days up to several weeks. Ion channels directly involved in the skeletal muscle E-C coupling (RyR1 and Cav1.1 voltage-gated Ca2+ channels) were labeled using indirect immunofluorescence. Ultrastructural changes of differentiating cells were visualized by transmission electron microscopy. On the functional side, depolarization-induced intracellular Ca2+ transients mediating E-C coupling were recorded using Fura-2 ratiometric Ca2+ imaging, and myocyte contraction was captured by digital photomicrography.
Results
We show that the E-C coupling machinery occurs and operates within a few days post-differentiation, as soon as the myofilaments align. However, Ca2+ transients become effective in triggering myocyte contraction after 1 week of differentiation, when nascent myofibrils show alternate A-I bands. At later stages, myofibrils become fully organized into adult-like sarcomeres but SR-TT junctions do not reach their triadic structure and typical A-I location. This is mirrored by the absence of cross-striated distribution pattern of both RyR1 and Cav1.1 channels.
Conclusions
The E-C coupling machinery occurs and operates within the first week of muscle cells differentiation. However, while early development of SR-TT junctions is coordinated with that of nascent myofibrils, their respective maturation is not. Formation of typical triads requires other factors/conditions, and this should be taken into account when using in-vitro models to explore skeletal muscle diseases, especially those affecting E-C coupling.
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (10.1186/s13395-017-0147-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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