Prolonged passive stretch of rat soleus muscle provokes an increase in the mRNA levels of the muscle regulatory factors distributed along the entire length of the fibers

The Effect of SERCA1b Silencing on the Differentiation and Calcium Homeostasis of C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells

The sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPases (SERCAs) are the main Ca2+ pumps which decrease the intracellular Ca2+ level by reaccumulating Ca2+ into the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The neonatal SERCA1b is the major Ca2+ pump in myotubes and young muscle fibers. To understand its role during skeletal muscle differentiation its synthesis has been interfered with specific shRNA sequence. Stably transfected clones showing significantly decreased SERCA1b expression (cloneC1) were selected for experiments. The expression of the regulatory proteins of skeletal muscle differentiation was examined either by Western-blot at the protein level for MyoD, STIM1, calsequestrin (CSQ), and calcineurin (CaN) or by RT-PCR for myostatin and MCIP1.4. Quantitative analysis revealed significant alterations in CSQ, STIM1, and CaN expression in cloneC1 as compared to control cells. To examine the functional consequences of the decreased expression of SERCA1b, repeated Ca2+-transients were evoked by applications of 120 mM KCl. The significantly higher [Ca2+]i measured at the 20th and 40th seconds after the beginning of KCl application (112±3 and 110±3 nM vs. 150±7 and 135±5 nM, in control and in cloneC1 cells, respectively) indicated a decreased Ca2+-uptake capability which was quantified by extracting the maximal pump rate (454±41 μM/s vs. 144±24 μM/s, in control and in cloneC1 cells). Furthermore, the rate of calcium release from the SR (610±60 vs. 377±64 μM/s) and the amount of calcium released (843±75 μM vs. 576±80 μM) were also significantly suppressed. These changes were also accompanied by a reduced activity of CaN in cells with decreased SERCA1b. In parallel, cloneC1 cells showed inhibited cell proliferation and decreased myotube nuclear numbers. Moreover, while cyclosporineA treatment suppressed the proliferation of parental cultures it had no effect on cloneC1 cells. SERCA1b is thus considered to play an essential role in the regulation of [Ca2+]i and its ab ovo gene silencing results in decreased skeletal muscle differentiation.

The neonatal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase gives a clue to development and pathology in human muscles

The sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 1 (SERCA1) has two muscle specific splice isoforms; SERCA1a in fast-type adult and SERCA1b in neonatal and regenerating skeletal muscles. At the protein level the only difference between these two isoforms is that SERCA1a has C-terminal glycine while SERCA1b has an octapeptide tail instead. This makes the generation of a SERCA1a specific antibody not feasible. The switch between the two isoforms is a hallmark of differentiation so we describe here a method based on the signal ratios of the SERCA1b specific and pan SERCA1 antibodies to estimate the SERCA1b/SERCA1a dominance on immunoblot of human muscles. Using this method we showed that unlike in mouse and rat, SERCA1b was only expressed in pre-matured infant leg and arm muscles; it was replaced by SERCA1a in more matured neonatal muscles and was completely absent in human foetal and neonatal diaphragms. Interestingly, only SERCA1a and no SERCA1b were detected in muscles of 7-12 years old boys with Duchenne, a degenerative-regenerative muscular dystrophy. However, in adult patients with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2), the SERCA1b dominated over SERCA1a. Thus the human SERCA1b has a different expression pattern from that of rodents and it is associated with DM2.

Bupivacaine injection remodels extraocular muscles and corrects comitant strabismus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and anatomic changes resulting from bupivacaine injection into extraocular muscles to treat comitant horizontal strabismus.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational clinical series.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-one comitant horizontal strabismus patients.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with esotropia received bupivacaine injections in the lateral rectus muscle, and 12 patients with exotropia received bupivacaine injections in the medial rectus. Sixteen of these, with large strabismus angles, also received botulinum type A toxin injections in the antagonist muscle at the same treatment session. A second treatment was given to 13 patients who had residual strabismus after the first treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical alignment measures and muscle volume, maximum cross-sectional area, and shape derived from magnetic resonance imaging, with follow-up examinations for up to 3 years.

RESULTS

At an average of 15.3 months after the final treatment, original misalignment was reduced by 10.5 prism diopters (Δ; 6.0°) with residual deviations of 10Δ or less in 53% of patients. A single treatment with bupivacaine alone reduced misalignment at 11.3 months by 4.7Δ (2.7°) with residual deviations of 10Δ or less in 50% of patients. Alignment corrections were remarkably stable over follow-ups for as long as 3 years. Six months after bupivacaine injection, muscle volume had increased by 6.6%, and maximum cross-sectional area had increased by 8.5%, gradually relaxing toward pretreatment values thereafter. Computer modeling with Orbit 1.8 (Eidactics, San Francisco, CA) suggested that changes in agonist and antagonist muscle lengths were responsible for the enduring changes in eye alignment.

CONCLUSIONS

Bupivacaine injection alone or together with botulinum toxin injection in the antagonist muscle improves eye alignment in comitant horizontal strabismus by inducing changes in rectus muscle structure and length.

Effects of 40min of maintained stretch on the soleus and plantaris muscles of rats applied for different periods of time after hindlimb immobilization

Stretching is frequently used in physiotherapy to minimize or even reverse the alterations that occur after muscle disuse. Alterations that occur after 10 and 21 days of maintained stretch in soleus and plantaris muscles post-disuse were evaluated in the present study in experimental rats. Thirty adult female Wistar rats were divided into seven groups: hindlimb immobilization for 10 days; immobilization and 10 days stretched; immobilized and 21 days stretched; three control groups consisting of animals of different ages and anesthetized group. The right hindlimb was immobilized using a lightweight apparatus composed of two sections: (i) upper part: a small cotton T-shirt and, and (ii) lower part: a steel mesh to fix the ankle in plantar-flexion-shortened position. Fragments of the soleus and plantaris muscle were frozen and processed using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Limb immobilization caused important morphological alterations in skeletal muscle including: reduction in the number of type I fibers and an increase in type IIC fibers, reduction in the lesser diameter of type I, IIA and IIAD fibers and in the number of capillaries in soleus muscle. The stretching program applied for 10 days was insufficient to allow recovery from the disuse alterations in both muscles. However, after 21 days there were improved morphological characteristics, size and distribution of the different fibers.

Regulation of the alternative splicing of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase1 (SERCA1) by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) via a PKC pathway

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multi-systemic disease with no established treatment to date. Small, cell-permeable molecules hold the potential to treat DM1. In this study, we investigated the association between protein kinase C (PKC) signaling and splicing of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase1 (SERCA1). Our aim was to clarify the mechanisms underlying the regulation of alternative splicing, in order to explore new therapeutic strategies for DM1. By assessing the splicing pattern of the endogenous SERCA1 gene in HEK293 cells, we found that treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) regulated SERCA1 splicing. Interestingly, treatment with PMA for 48 h normalized SERCA1 splicing, while treatment for 1.5h promoted aberrant splicing. These two responses showed dose dependency and were completely abolished by the PKC inhibitor Ro 31-8220. Furthermore, repression of PKCβII and PKCθ by RNAi mimicked prolonged PMA treatment. These results indicate that PKC signaling is involved in the splicing of SERCA1 and provide new evidence for a link between alternative splicing and PKC signaling.

Low-magnitude vertical vibration enhances myotube formation in C2C12 myoblasts

Whole body vibration training is widely used in rehabilitation and sports activities to improve muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. However, the molecular mechanisms of vertical vibration (VV) training and their effect on the myogenesis of myoblasts remain undefined. This study was undertaken to address the hypothesis that VV can enhance the expression of ECM proteins and myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) in myoblasts and, in turn, increase myotube formation. Using real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence studies, we examined the effect of VV treatment with frequencies of 5, 8, or 10 Hz on the expression of ECM proteins and MRFs as well as myotube formation in C2C12 myoblasts. We showed that VV stimulation is safe and effective at stimulating myogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts. The levels of expression of the ECM proteins type I collagen and decorin were the highest after VV treatment at frequencies of 8 and 10 Hz. Expression of the MRFs MyoD and myogenin increased after VV stimulation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The total number of myotubes formed, as well as the length and the average area of myotubes, were substantially increased following VV treatment at frequencies of 8 to 10 Hz. In conclusion, VV treatment at frequencies of 8 to 10 Hz can stimulate the expression of ECM proteins and MRFs in myoblasts and, in turn, increase myotube formation.

Role of MyoD in denervated, disused, and exercised muscle

The myogenic regulatory factor MyoD plays an important role in embryonic and adult skeletal muscle growth. Even though it is best known as a marker for activated satellite cells, it is also expressed in myonuclei, and its expression can be induced by a variety of different conditions. Several model systems have been used to study the mechanisms behind MyoD regulation, such as exercise, stretch, disuse, and denervation. Since MyoD reacts in a highly muscle-specific manner, and its expression varies over time and between species, universally valid predictions and explanations for changes in MyoD expression are not possible. This review explores the complex role of MyoD in muscle plasticity by evaluating the induction of MyoD expression in the context of muscle composition and electrical and mechanical stimulation.

20-Hydroxyecdysone increases fiber size in a muscle-specific fashion in rat

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is an ecdysteroid hormone that regulates moulting in insects. Interestingly, 20E is also found most abundantly in plant species and has anabolic effects in vertebrates, i.e. increasing muscle size without androgen influence. The effect of 20E on slow and fast fiber types of skeletal muscle has not been reported yet. Here we present that 20E affects the size (cross-sectional area, CSA) of the different fiber types in a muscle-specific manner. The effect on fiber size was modified by the distance from the site of the treatment and the presence of a regenerating soleus muscle in the animal. Besides the fiber size, 20E also increased the myonuclear number in the fibers of normal and regenerating muscles, suggesting the activation of satellite cells. According to our results 20E may provide an alternative for substitution of anabolic-androgenic steroids in therapeutic treatments against muscle atrophy.

The effect of passive movement on denervated soleus highlights a differential nerve control on SERCA and MyHC isoforms

The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATP-ase (SERCA) and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) levels were measured in hindlimb-denervated and selectively denervated rat soleus muscles. Selective denervation allowed passive movement of the soleus, whereas hindlimb denervation rendered it to passivity. To minimize chronic effects, we followed the changes only for 2 weeks. Selective denervation resulted in less muscle atrophy, a faster slow-to-fast transition of MyHC isoforms, and less coordinated expressions of the slow vs fast isoforms of MyHC and SERCA. Generally, expression of the slow-twitch type SERCA2a was found to be less dependent, whereas the slow-twitch type MyHC1 was the most dependent on innervation. Our study shows that passive movement is able to ameliorate denervation-induced atrophy of the soleus and that it also accentuates the dyscoordination in the expression of the corresponding slow and fast isoforms of MyHC and SERCA.

Morphological comparison of different protocols of skeletal muscle remobilization in rats after hindlimb suspension

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of different remobilization protocols in different skeletal muscles considering the changes induced by hindlimb suspension of the tail. Thirty-six female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control I, control II, suspended, suspended free, suspended trained on a declined treadmill and suspended trained on a flat treadmill. Fragments of soleus and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle were frozen and processed by different histochemical methods. The suspended soleus showed a significant increase in the proportional number of intermediate/hybrid fibers and a decrease in the number of type I fibers. Some of these changes proved to be reversible after remobilization. The three remobilization programs led to the recovery of both the proportional number of fibers and their size. The TA muscle presented a significant increase in the number and size of type I fibers and a cell size reduction of type IIB fibers, which were recovered after training on a declined treadmill and free movement. Especially regarding the soleus, the present findings indicate that, among the protocols, training on a declined treadmill was found to induce changes of a more regenerative nature, seemingly indicating a better tissue restructuring after the suspension procedure.

Morphological effects of two protocols of passive stretch over the immobilized rat soleus muscle

This study evaluated two different stretching protocols employed during a period of hind-limb immobilization in terms of their effects on muscle morphology. Quantitative data regarding the soleus muscle were obtained based on the clinical hypothesis that a high frequency of this exercise would improve the recovery of muscle structure. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6 each): the control group (C); the immobilized group, in which the left hind limb was immobilized in order to maintain the soleus muscle in a fully shortened position for 3 weeks (I); the 'immobilized and stretched every 3 days' group, in which the left hind limb was immobilized as in the immobilized group, but with the soleus muscle stretched every 3 days for 40 min (Ist3); and the 'immobilized (as in the immobilized group) and stretched every 7 days' group (ISt7). All soleus muscles were excised 21 days after the beginning of the experiment, and were processed for (1) haematoxylin and eosin and myosin ATPase to evaluate muscle morphology and cross-sectional area and the proportions of the different fibre types, and (2) ultrastructural analysis. The cross-sectional area was found to have decreased in all fibre types (I, II and C), mainly in ISt7, when compared with the C group and ISt3 group. The proportion of the different fibre types did not show statistical difference between groups. Light and electron microscopy examination revealed signs of cell degeneration that was more intense in the group immobilized and stretched three times a week. In conclusion, sessions of passive stretching applied to the soleus during immobilization induce muscle fibre injury, suggesting that this therapeutic tool should be applied carefully to disused muscles.

Differentially expressed genes and morphological changes during lengthened immobilization in rat soleus muscle

To examine the effect of lengthened immobilization on the expression of genes and concomitant morphological changes in soleus muscle, rat hindlimbs were immobilized at the ankle in full dorsiflexion by plaster cast. After removing the muscle (after 1 hr, 1, 4, and 7 days of immobilization), morphology and differential gene expression were analyzed through electron microscopy and differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR), respectively. At the myotendinous junction (MTJ), a large cytoplasmic space appeared after 1 hr of immobilization and became enlarged over time, together with damaged Z lines. Interfibrillar space was detected after 1 day of immobilization, but diminished after 7 days. At the muscle belly, Z-line streaming and widening were observed following 1 hr of immobilization. Disorganization of myofilaments (misalignment of adjacent sarcomeres, distortion, or absence of Z lines) was detected after 4 days. Furthermore, mitochondrial swelling and cristae disruption were observed after 1 day of stretching. A set of 15 differentially expressed candidate genes was identified through DDRT-PCR. Of 11 known genes, seven (Atp5g3, TOM22, INrf2, Slc25a4, Hdac6, Tpm1, and Sv2b) were up and three (Podxl, Myh1, and Surf1) were down-regulated following immobilization. In the case of Acyp2, 1-day stretching-specific expression was observed. Atp5g3, Slc25a4, TOM22, and Surf1 are mitochondrial proteins related to energy metabolism, except TOM22, which has a chaperone-like activity located in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Together with these, INrf2, Hdac6, Podxl, and Acyp2 are related more or less to stress-induced apoptosis, indicating the responses to apoptotic changes in mitochondria caused by stretching. The expression of both Tpm1 and Myh1, fast twitch isoforms, suggests adaption to the immobilization. These results altogether indicate that lengthened immobilization regulates the expression of several stress/apoptosis-related and muscle-specific genes responsible for the slow-to-fast transition in soleus muscle despite profound muscle atrophy.

Short bouts of stretching increase myo-D, myostatin and atrogin-1 in rat soleus muscle

Stretching is widely used in rehabilitation and sports activities to improve joint range-of-motion and flexibility in humans, but the effect of stretching on the gene expression of skeletal muscle is poorly understood. We evaluated the effect of short bouts of passive stretching of rat soleus muscle on myo-D, myostatin, and atrogin-1 gene expressions. Six groups of animals were submitted to a single session of stretching (10 stretches of 1 minute with 30 seconds of rest between them, performed manually) and were evaluated immediately (I), and 8, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after the session. To evaluate the effect of repetitive sessions of stretching on the soleus muscle over 1 week, three groups of animals received a single session per day of stretching and the muscle was evaluated immediately after 2, 3, and 7 sessions. The mRNA levels of myo-D, myostatin, and atrogin-1 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. A single session of stretching increased the mRNA levels of myo-D (after 24 h), myostatin (I, and 168 h later), and atrogin-1 (after 48 h). Repeated daily session of stretching over 1 week increased myostatin (after 7 sessions) and atrogin-1 expression (after 2, 3, and 7 sessions). Thus, short bouts of passive stretching are able to increase the gene expression of factors associated with muscle growth (myo-D), negative regulation of muscle mass (myostatin), and atrophy (atrogin-1), indicating muscle remodeling through different pathways.

The expression of the neonatal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump (SERCA1b) hints to a role in muscle growth and development

The neonatal isoform of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 1 (SERCA1b) is a Ca2+ pump with a well-known developmentally regulated transcript level but an undefined protein expression and function. Specific antibodies were generated to show that SERCA1b is exclusively expressed in myoblasts and myotubes of cultured and regenerating muscle. However, the SERCA1b protein was not detectable in normal adult fast and slow muscles. Studies of the in vitro differentiating myogenic cell lines C2C12 and sol8 showed that SERCA1b is the main SERCA1 protein isoform induced during differentiation and that it is found in the myotubes. Remarkably in BC3H1 cells, which show incomplete differentiation and are reluctant to form myotubes, express the SERCA1b mRNA but not the corresponding protein. SERCA1b protein was also absent from stretched or denervated adult soleus, in spite of the fact that its mRNA level was upregulated. SERCA1b accounts for nearly the total of SERCA1 expression in the diaphragm of newborn mice, which suggests that the insufficient function and development of the diaphragm in the SERCA1 null mutant mice may be due to the lack of SERCA1b. Our studies point to an important regulation of SERCA1b expression at the protein level and hints to a role in the growth of the developing muscle.

Differential effects of muscle fibre length and insulin on muscle-specific mRNA content in isolated mature muscle fibres during long-term culture

The aims of this study were (1) to determine the relationship between muscle fibre cross-sectional area and cytoplasmic density of myonuclei in high- and low-oxidative Xenopus muscle fibres and (2) to test whether insulin and long-term high fibre length caused an increase in the number of myonuclei and in the expression of alpha-skeletal actin and of myogenic regulatory factors (myogenin and MyoD) in these muscle fibres. In high- and low-oxidative muscle fibres from freshly frozen iliofibularis muscles, the number of myonuclei per millimetre fibre length was proportional to muscle fibre cross-sectional area. The in vivo myonuclear density thus seemed to be strictly regulated, suggesting that the induction of hypertrophy required the activation of satellite cells. The effects of muscle fibre length and insulin on myonuclear density and myonuclear mRNA content were investigated on high-oxidative single muscle fibres cultured for 4-5 days. Muscle fibres were kept at a low length (~15% below passive slack length) in culture medium with a high insulin concentration (~6 nmol/l: "high insulin medium") or without insulin, and at a high length (~5% above passive slack length) in high insulin medium. High fibre length and high insulin medium did not change the myonuclear density of isolated muscle fibres during culture. High insulin increased the myonuclear alpha-skeletal actin mRNA content, whereas fibre length had no effect on alpha-skeletal actin mRNA content. After culture at high fibre length in high insulin medium, the myonuclear myogenin mRNA content was 2.5-fold higher than that of fibres cultured at low length in high insulin medium or in medium without insulin. Myonuclear MyoD mRNA content was not affected by fibre length or insulin. These in vitro experiments indicate that high muscle fibre length and insulin enhance muscle gene expression but that other critical factors are required to induce adaptation of muscle fibre size and performance.

The effect of 30 minutes of passive stretch of the rat soleus muscle on the myogenic differentiation, myostatin, and atrogin-1 gene expressions

The effect of 30 minutes of passive stretch of the rat soleus muscle on the myogenic differentiation, myostatin, and atrogin-1 gene expressions.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of passive stretch, applied for 30 minutes to the rat soleus muscle, on the myogenic differentiation (myoD), myostatin, and atrogin-1 gene expressions.

DESIGN

Case-controlled study.

SETTING

University laboratory.

ANIMALS

Fifty 12-week-old male Wistar rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Six groups of animals were given a single stretch bout and were evaluated immediately and 8, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours later. Another 3 groups were evaluated immediately after 2, 3, and 7 stretches. An intact control group was also analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of myoD, myostatin, and atrogin-1 were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Twenty-four hours after a single session of stretch only, the myoD mRNA levels had increased compared with the control group, whereas an increase in the atrogin-1 expression was observed after 2, 3, and 7 stretches.

CONCLUSIONS

A single session of passive stretch increased the myoD gene expression, a factor related to muscle growth. Interestingly, daily stretches increased the atrogin-1 gene expression, a gene primarily associated with muscle atrophy. The results indicated that gene expression was responsive to the number of stretch sessions.

The effect of resection on satellite cell activity in rabbit extraocular muscle

PURPOSE

A common treatment for motility disorders of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) is a resection procedure in which there is surgical shortening of the muscle. This procedure results in rotation of the globe toward the resected muscle, increased resting tension across the agonist-antagonist pair, and stretching of the elastic components of the muscles. In the rabbit, due to orbital constraints and limited rotation, resection results in more significant stretch of the surgically treated muscle than the antagonist. This surgical preparation allows for the examination of the effects of surgical shortening of one rectus muscle and passive stretch of its ipsilateral antagonist.

METHODS

The insertional 6 mm of the superior rectus muscles of adult rabbits were resected and reattached to the original insertion site. After 7 and 14 days, the animals were injected intraperitoneally with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) every 2 hours for 12 hours, followed by a 24-hour BrdU-free period. All superior and inferior rectus muscles from both globes were examined for BrdU incorporation, MyoD expression, neonatal and developmental myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform expression, and myofiber cross-sectional area alterations.

RESULTS

In the resected muscle and in the passively stretched antagonist muscle, there was a dramatic increase in the number of myofibers positive for neonatal MyHC and in the number of BrdU- and MyoD-positive satellite cells. The addition of BrdU-positive myonuclei increased from 1 per 1000 myofibers in cross sections of control muscles to 2 to 3 per 100 myofibers in the resected muscles. Single myofiber reconstructions showed that multiple BrdU-positive myonuclei were added to individual myofibers. Addition of new myonuclei occurred in random locations along the myofiber length of single fibers. There was no correlation between myofibers with BrdU-positive myonuclei and neonatal MyHC isoform expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Both active and passive stretch of the rectus muscles produced by strabismus surgery dramatically upregulated the processes of satellite cell activation, integration of new myonuclei into existing myofibers, and concomitant upregulation of immature myosin heavy chain isoforms. Understanding the effects of strabismus surgery on muscle cell biological reactions and myofiber remodeling may suggest new approaches for improving surgical outcomes.

Intermittent spontaneous breathing protects the rat diaphragm from mechanical ventilation effects

OBJECTIVE

Short-term mechanical ventilation has been proven to reduce diaphragm force and fiber dimensions. We hypothesized that intermittent spontaneous breathing during the course of mechanical ventilation would minimize the effects of mechanical ventilation on diaphragm force and expression levels of transcription factors (MyoD and myogenin).

DESIGN

Randomized, controlled experiment.

SETTING

Animal basic science laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Male Wistar rats, weighing 350-500 g.

INTERVENTIONS

Anesthetized and tracheotomized rats were submitted to either 24 hrs of spontaneous breathing (SB, n = 5), 24 hrs of continuous controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV, n = 7), or controlled mechanical ventilation with intermittent spontaneous breathing: 60 mins every 5 hrs of mechanical ventilation repeated four times (ISB60, n = 8) or 5 mins every 5 hrs 55 mins of mechanical ventilation repeated four times (SB5, n = 9). They were compared with control animals free from intervention (C, n = 5).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The profile of the diaphragm force-frequency curve of the controls and SB group was significantly different from that of the ISB and CMV groups; especially, the mean asymptotic force was less in the ISB and CMV compared with controls and SB. CMV resulted in a significant decrease in the diaphragm type I (-26%, p < .05 vs. C) and type IIx/b (-39%, p < .005 vs. C and SB) cross-sectional area, whereas this was not observed in the ISB groups. Diaphragm MyoD protein expression was significantly decreased after ISB60 (-35%, p < .0001 vs. C and SB) and even more after CMV (-73%, p < .0001 vs. others). The same pattern was observed with myogenin protein levels. Positive relationships between diaphragm MyoD and myogenin protein levels and diaphragm force were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The data demonstrated that intermittent spontaneous breathing during the course of mechanical ventilation may minimize the deleterious effect of controlled mechanical ventilation on diaphragm force, fiber dimensions, and expression of transcription factors.

Expression of SERCA2a is not regulated by calcineurin or upon mechanical unloading in skeletal muscle regeneration

This study investigates to what extent the expression of the slow myosin heavy chain (MyHCI) isoform and the slow type sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a) isoform are co-regulated in fibers of regenerating skeletal soleus muscle. Both overexpression of cain, a calcineurin inhibitor, or partial tenotomy prevented the expression of MyHCI but left SERCA2a expression unaffected in fibers of regenerating soleus muscles. These data complement those from different experimental models and clearly show that the expression of MyHCI and SERCA2a--the major proteins mediating, respectively, the slow type of contraction and relaxation--are not coregulated in regenerating soleus muscle.

The calcineurin activity and MCIP1.4 mRNA levels are increased by innervation in regenerating soleus muscle

The level of active subunit of calcineurin and the calcineurin (Cn) enzyme activity are increased in innervated but not in denervated slow type regenerating skeletal soleus muscle. These nerve-dependent increases were not accompanied by similar increases in the mRNA levels. The changes in the mRNA level of the modulatory calcineurin interacting protein, MCIP1.4, reflected the calcineurin activity and did not increase in denervated regenerating muscles compared to the innervated regenerating controls. The increases in Cn activity and in MCIP1.4 mRNA levels occurred before the switch from fast to slow-type myosin heavy chain isoforms, a phenomenon similarly known to be dependent on innervation. This highlights the role of mediators, acting between the nerve and calcineurin, in the formation of slow fiber identity.

Early changes in rat diaphragm biology with mechanical ventilation

To better characterize the effects of 24-hour mechanical ventilation on diaphragm, the expression of myogenic transcription factors, myosin heavy chains, and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase pumps was examined in rats. In the diaphragm of mechanically ventilated animals, the mRNA of MyoD, myosin heavy chain-2a and -2b, and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase-1a decreased, whereas myogenin mRNA increased. In the diaphragm of anesthetized and spontaneously breathing rats, only the mRNA of MyoD and myosin heavy chain-2a decreased. MyoD and myogenin protein expression followed the changes at the mRNA, whereas the myosin heavy chain isoforms did not change. Parallel experiments involving the gastrocnemius were performed to assess the relative contribution of muscle shortening versus immobilization-induced deconditioning on muscle regulatory factor expression. Passive shortening produced no additional effects compared with immobilization-induced deconditioning. The overall changes followed a remarkably similar pattern except for MyoD protein expression, which increased in the gastrocnemius and decreased in the diaphragm while its mRNA diminished in both muscles. The early alterations in the expression of muscle protein and regulatory factors may serve as underlying molecular basis for the impaired diaphragm function seen after 24 hours of mechanical ventilation. Whether immobilization-induced deconditioning and/or passive shortening play a role in these alterations could not be fully unraveled.

Effects of botulinum toxin A injection and exercise on the growth of juvenile rat gastrocnemius muscle

Botulinum toxin A (Btx) injections and supervised exercise are often used concurrently to treat calf muscle spasticity in children. This study has analyzed the early effects of Btx-induced paralysis and increased activity by voluntary wheel running on cell growth-related processes in juvenile rat gastrocnemius muscle. Btx injection at 29 days of age prevented the normal increases in wet mass (50%) and fiber cross-sectional area (34%) seen by 36 days of age in control rats. Btx-injected vs. contralateral muscles had 22% fewer myonuclei per fiber length but greater than twofold the number of MyoD-positive nuclei at 36 days of age. The accretion of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled newly produced myonuclei did not differ between limbs. Voluntary exercise during the 7 days increased the mass (18%) and fiber size (23%) of Btx-injected and contralateral muscles but did not affect any other variable. Thus Btx injection and exercise had early effects on muscle and fiber size without consistently associated changes in myonuclear production or number. This suggests the presence of noncontractile activity-dependent, growth-promoting cytoplasmic events in juvenile muscle.

Antisense inhibition of myoD expression in regenerating rat soleus muscle is followed by an increase in the mRNA levels of myoD, myf-5 and myogenin and by a retarded regeneration

It has been reported that muscles of myoD-/- mice present a lower potential to regenerate, but there are no reports on the effect of acute interference with myoD expression limited in space and time to only a particular regenerating muscle. Here we relied on antisense inhibition of this factor. Four different oligos were tested. The suppression of regeneration indices (the expression of desmin, the formation of myotubes and the initiation of endplates) was the most pronounced, with the oligomer targeting a region encompassing the translation start site of myoD. A mixed backbone phosphorothioate-phosphate diester oligo (200 microl at 20 microM) was still detectable in the muscles 1 h after its administration and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the level of the targeted 5' end of the myoD mRNA was selectively decreased. The level of myoD protein was also lowered. Four hours after the antisense treatment, when the oligos were no longer detectable, the myoD mRNA level was restored and 24 h later it exceeded controls together with that of myf-5 and myogenin. After 4 weeks, the antisense-treated soleus muscles were similar to the control-treated and the untreated regenerated soleus with respect to fiber types and motor endplates, however, they contained smaller fibers which reflected the asynchronity of regeneration. This shows that successfully targeted simple antisense oligonucleotides can be used as selective tools for inhibition of individual factors in studying the process of muscle regeneration.

Regenerating soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles of the rat show elevated levels of TNF-alpha and its receptors, TNFR-60 and TNFR-80

We measured the mRNA and protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the transcript levels of its receptors (TNFR-60 and TNFR-80) in the rat soleus (slow twitch) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL; fast twitch) muscles regenerating from notexin-induced necrosis. On the first day after administration of the toxin, when most fibers were necrotic and invaded by inflammatory cells/macrophages, dramatic increases of transcript and protein levels of TNF-alpha and of the mRNA levels of its receptors were observed. The transcript levels of TNF-alpha and TNFR-60, but not of TNFR-80, showed a second but smaller increase at the time when newly formed muscle fibers became reinnervated. In situ hybridization showed that on day 1, during the phase of extensive necrosis, the transcript of TNF-alpha was abundantly present and on day 4 of regeneration it was most often seen in areas devoid of desmin. The mRNA level of TNF-alpha was not detectable in BC(3)H1- and C2C12-cultured myoblasts and it was low in freeze-injured muscle, corresponding to the relatively mild degree of inflammation elicited by freezing. Therefore, our results are most consistent with the view that inflammatory cells/macrophages are the main source of TNF-alpha.

Sarcomere number regulation maintained after immobilization in desmin-null mouse skeletal muscle

The serial sarcomere number of skeletal muscle changes in response to chronic length perturbation. The role of the intermediate filament desmin in regulating these changes was investigated by comparing the architectural adaptations of the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus from wild-type mice with those of homozygous desmin knockout mice after hindlimb immobilization. After 28 days, serial sarcomere number increased significantly in the lengthened wild-type tibialis anterior (by approximately 9 %) and EDL (by approximately 17 %). Surprisingly, muscles from desmin knockout mice also experienced significant serial remodeling, with the serial sarcomere number of the tibialis anterior increasing by approximately 10 % and that of the EDL by approximately 27 %. A consistent result was observed in the shortened soleus: a significant decrease in sarcomere number was observed in the muscles from both wild-type (approximately 26 %) and knockout (approximately 12 %) mice. Thus, although desmin is not essential for sarcomerogenesis or sarcomere subtraction in mouse hindlimb muscles, the results do suggest subtle differences in the nature of sarcomere number adaptation. We speculate that desmin may play a role in regulating the optimal arrangement of sarcomeres within the muscle or in sensing the magnitude of the immobilization effect itself.