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Leib R, Howard IS, Millard M, Franklin DW. Behavioral Motor Performance. Compr Physiol 2023; 14:5179-5224. [PMID: 38158372 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The human sensorimotor control system has exceptional abilities to perform skillful actions. We easily switch between strenuous tasks that involve brute force, such as lifting a heavy sewing machine, and delicate movements such as threading a needle in the same machine. Using a structure with different control architectures, the motor system is capable of updating its ability to perform through our daily interaction with the fluctuating environment. However, there are issues that make this a difficult computational problem for the brain to solve. The brain needs to control a nonlinear, nonstationary neuromuscular system, with redundant and occasionally undesired degrees of freedom, in an uncertain environment using a body in which information transmission is subject to delays and noise. To gain insight into the mechanisms of motor control, here we survey movement laws and invariances that shape our everyday motion. We then examine the major solutions to each of these problems in the three parts of the sensorimotor control system, sensing, planning, and acting. We focus on how the sensory system, the control architectures, and the structure and operation of the muscles serve as complementary mechanisms to overcome deviations and disturbances to motor behavior and give rise to skillful motor performance. We conclude with possible future research directions based on suggested links between the operation of the sensorimotor system across the movement stages. © 2024 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 14:5179-5224, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raz Leib
- Neuromuscular Diagnostics, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ian S Howard
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Matthew Millard
- Institute of Sport and Movement Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Engineering and Computational Mechanics, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - David W Franklin
- Neuromuscular Diagnostics, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Data Science Institute (MDSI), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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2
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Han SW, Boldt K, Joumaa V, Herzog W. Characterizing residual and passive force enhancements in cardiac myofibrils. Biophys J 2023; 122:1538-1547. [PMID: 36932677 PMCID: PMC10147830 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Residual force enhancement (RFE), an increase in isometric force after active stretching of a muscle compared with the purely isometric force at the corresponding length, has been consistently observed throughout the structural hierarchy of skeletal muscle. Similar to RFE, passive force enhancement (PFE) is also observable in skeletal muscle and is defined as an increase in passive force when a muscle is deactivated after it has been actively stretched compared with the passive force following deactivation of a purely isometric contraction. These history-dependent properties have been investigated abundantly in skeletal muscle, but their presence in cardiac muscle remains unresolved and controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether RFE and PFE exist in cardiac myofibrils and whether the magnitudes of RFE and PFE increase with increasing stretch magnitudes. Cardiac myofibrils were prepared from the left ventricles of New Zealand White rabbits, and the history-dependent properties were tested at three different final average sarcomere lengths (n = 8 for each), 1.8, 2, and 2.2 μm, while the stretch magnitude was kept at 0.2 μm/sarcomere. The same experiment was repeated with a final average sarcomere length of 2.2 μm and a stretching magnitude of 0.4 μm/sarcomere (n = 8). All 32 cardiac myofibrils exhibited increased forces after active stretching compared with the corresponding purely isometric reference conditions (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the magnitude of RFE was greater when myofibrils were stretched by 0.4 compared with 0.2 μm/sarcomere (p < 0.05). We conclude that, like in skeletal muscle, RFE and PFE are properties of cardiac myofibrils and are dependent on stretch magnitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Won Han
- Institute of Physiology II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Kevin Boldt
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Kinesiology Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada; Department of Human Health and Nutritional Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Venus Joumaa
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Walter Herzog
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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3
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Hahn D, Han SW, Joumaa V. The history-dependent features of muscle force production: A challenge to the cross-bridge theory and their functional implications. J Biomech 2023; 152:111579. [PMID: 37054597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The cross-bridge theory predicts that muscle force is determined by muscle length and the velocity of active muscle length changes. However, before the formulation of the cross-bridge theory, it had been observed that the isometric force at a given muscle length is enhanced or depressed depending on active muscle length changes before that given length is reached. These enhanced and depressed force states are termed residual force enhancement (rFE) and residual force depression (rFD), respectively, and together they are known as the history-dependent features of muscle force production. In this review, we introduce early attempts in explaining rFE and rFD before we discuss more recent research from the past 25 years which has contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning rFE and rFD. Specifically, we discuss the increasing number of findings on rFE and rFD which challenge the cross-bridge theory and propose that the elastic element titin plays a role in explaining muscle history-dependence. Accordingly, new three-filament models of force production including titin seem to provide better insight into the mechanism of muscle contraction. Complementary to the mechanisms behind muscle history-dependence, we also show various implications for muscle history-dependence on in-vivo human muscle function such as during stretch-shortening cycles. We conclude that titin function needs to be better understood if a new three-filament muscle model which includes titin, is to be established. From an applied perspective, it remains to be elucidated how muscle history-dependence affects locomotion and motor control, and whether history-dependent features can be changed by training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Hahn
- Human Movement Science, Faculty of Sport Science, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Seong-Won Han
- Institute of Physiology II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Germany.
| | - Venus Joumaa
- Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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4
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Eccentric muscle contractions: from single muscle fibre to whole muscle mechanics. Pflugers Arch 2023; 475:421-435. [PMID: 36790515 PMCID: PMC10011336 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-023-02794-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Eccentric muscle loading encompasses several unique features compared to other types of contractions. These features include increased force, work, and performance at decreased oxygen consumption, reduced metabolic cost, improved energy efficiency, as well as decreased muscle activity. This review summarises explanatory approaches to long-standing questions in terms of muscular contraction dynamics and molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying eccentric muscle loading. Moreover, this article intends to underscore the functional link between sarcomeric components, emphasising the fundamental role of titin in skeletal muscle. The giant filament titin reveals versatile functions ranging from sarcomere organisation and maintenance, providing passive tension and elasticity, and operates as a mechanosensory and signalling platform. Structurally, titin consists of a viscoelastic spring segment that allows activation-dependent coupling to actin. This titin-actin interaction can explain linear force increases in active lengthening experiments in biological systems. A three-filament model of skeletal muscle force production (mediated by titin) is supposed to overcome significant deviations between experimental observations and predictions by the classic sliding-filament and cross-bridge theories. Taken together, this review intends to contribute to a more detailed understanding of overall muscle behaviour and force generation-from a microscopic sarcomere level to a macroscopic multi-joint muscle level-impacting muscle modelling, the understanding of muscle function, and disease.
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5
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Contini M, Altman D, Cornachione A, Rassier DE, Bagni MA. An increase in force after stretch of diaphragm fibers and myofibrils is accompanied by an increase in sarcomere length non-uniformities and Ca 2+ sensitivity. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C14-C28. [PMID: 35613356 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00394.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
When muscle fibers from limb muscles are stretched while activated, the force increases to a steady-state level that is higher than that produced during isometric contractions at a corresponding sarcomere length, a phenomenon known as residual force enhancement (RFE). The mechanisms responsible for the RFE are an increased stiffness of titin molecules which may lead to an increased Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus,and the development of sarcomere length non-uniformities. RFE is not observed in cardiac muscles, which makes this phenomenon specific to certain preparations. The aim of this study was to investigate if the RFE is present in the diaphragm, and its potential association with an increased Ca2+ sensitivity and the development of sarcomere length non-uniformities. We used two preparations: single intact fibers and myofibrils isolated from the diaphragm from mice. We investigated RFE in a variety of lengths across the force-length relationship. RFE was observed in both preparations at all lengths investigated, and was larger with increasing magnitudes of stretch. RFE was accompanied by an increased Ca2+ sensitivity as shown by a change in the force-pCa2+-curve, and increased sarcomere length non-uniformities. Therefore, RFE is a phenomenon commonly observed in skeletal muscles, with mechanisms that are similar across preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Contini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - David Altman
- Department of Physics, Willamette University, Salem, OR, United States
| | - Anabelle Cornachione
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Angela Bagni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
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6
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Mishra D, Nishikawa KC. Residual force enhancement is reduced in permeabilized fiber bundles from mdm muscles. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275519. [PMID: 35514253 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Residual force enhancement (RFE) is the increase in steady-state force after active stretch relative to the force during isometric contraction at the same final length. The mdm mutation in mice, characterized by a small deletion in N2A titin, has been proposed to prevent N2A titin-actin interactions so that active mdm muscles are more compliant than WT. This decrease in active muscle stiffness is associated with reduced RFE. We investigated RFE in permeabilized soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) fiber bundles from wild type and mdm mice. On each fiber bundle, we performed active and passive stretches from an average sarcomere length of 2.6 - 3.0 µm at a slow rate of 0.04 µm/s, as well as isometric contractions at the initial and final lengths. One-way ANOVA showed that SOL and EDL fiber bundles from mdm mice exhibited significantly lower RFE than WT (P<0.0001). This result is consistent with previous observations in single myofibrils and intact muscles. However, it contradicts the results from a previous study which appeared to show that compensatory mechanisms could restore titin force enhancement in single fibers from mdm psoas. We suggest that residual force enhancement measured previously in mdm single fibers was an artifact of the high variability in passive tension found in degenerating fibers, which begins after ∼24 days of age. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that RFE is reduced in mdm skeletal muscles due to impaired Ca2+ dependent titin-actin interactions resulting from the small deletion in N2A titin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhruv Mishra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Kiisa C Nishikawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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7
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Pham T, Tran K, Taberner AJ, Loiselle DS, Han JC. Crossbridge thermodynamics in pulmonary arterial hypertensive right-ventricular failure. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 132:1338-1349. [PMID: 35482327 PMCID: PMC9208464 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00014.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Right-ventricular (RV) failure is an event consequent to pathological RV hypertrophy commonly resulting from pulmonary arterial hypertension. This pathology is well characterized by RV diastolic dysfunction, impaired ejection, and reduced mechanical efficiency. However, whether the dynamic stiffness and cross-bridge thermodynamics in the failing RV muscles are compromised remains uncertain. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was induced in the rat by injection of monocrotaline, and RV trabeculae were isolated from RV failing rats. Cross-bridge mechano-energetics were characterized by subjecting the trabeculae to two interventions: 1) force-length work-loop contractions over a range of afterloads while measuring heat output, followed by careful partitioning of heat components into activation heat and cross-bridge heat to separately assess mechanical efficiency and cross-bridge efficiency, and 2) sinusoidal-perturbation of muscle length while trabeculae were actively contracting to interrogate cross-bridge dynamic stiffness. We found that reduced mechanical efficiency is correlated with increased passive stress, reduced shortening, and elevated activation heat. In contrast, the thermodynamics, specifically the efficiency of, and the stiffness characteristics of, cross bridges did not differ between the control and failing trabeculae and were not correlated with elevated passive stress or reduced shortening. We thus conclude that, despite diastolic dysfunction and mechanical inefficiency, cross-bridge stiffness and thermodynamics are unaffected in RV failure following pulmonary arterial hypertension. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study characterizes cross-bridge mechano-energetics and dynamic stiffness of right-ventricular trabeculae isolated from a rat model of pulmonary hypertensive right-ventricular failure. Failing trabeculae showed increased passive force but normal active force. Their lower mechanical efficiency is found to be driven by an increase in the energy expenditure arising from contractile activation. This does not reflect a change in their cross-bridge stiffness and efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toan Pham
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth Tran
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew J Taberner
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Engineering Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Denis S Loiselle
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Engineering Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - June-Chiew Han
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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8
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Residual force enhancement is attenuated for quick stretch conditions. J Biomech 2022; 136:111076. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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9
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Adewale AO, Ahn YH. Titin N2A Domain and Its Interactions at the Sarcomere. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147563. [PMID: 34299183 PMCID: PMC8305307 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Titin is a giant protein in the sarcomere that plays an essential role in muscle contraction with actin and myosin filaments. However, its utility goes beyond mechanical functions, extending to versatile and complex roles in sarcomere organization and maintenance, passive force, mechanosensing, and signaling. Titin’s multiple functions are in part attributed to its large size and modular structures that interact with a myriad of protein partners. Among titin’s domains, the N2A element is one of titin’s unique segments that contributes to titin’s functions in compliance, contraction, structural stability, and signaling via protein–protein interactions with actin filament, chaperones, stress-sensing proteins, and proteases. Considering the significance of N2A, this review highlights structural conformations of N2A, its predisposition for protein–protein interactions, and its multiple interacting protein partners that allow the modulation of titin’s biological effects. Lastly, the nature of N2A for interactions with chaperones and proteases is included, presenting it as an important node that impacts titin’s structural and functional integrity.
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10
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Borsdorf M, Böl M, Siebert T. Influence of layer separation on the determination of stomach smooth muscle properties. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:911-920. [PMID: 33900446 PMCID: PMC8164583 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02568-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Uniaxial tensile experiments are a standard method to determine the contractile properties of smooth muscles. Smooth muscle strips from organs of the urogenital and gastrointestinal tract contain multiple muscle layers with different muscle fiber orientations, which are frequently not separated for the experiments. During strip activation, these muscle fibers contract in deviant orientations from the force-measuring axis, affecting the biomechanical characteristics of the tissue strips. This study aimed to investigate the influence of muscle layer separation on the determination of smooth muscle properties. Smooth muscle strips, consisting of longitudinal and circumferential muscle layers (whole-muscle strips [WMS]), and smooth muscle strips, consisting of only the circumferential muscle layer (separated layer strips [SLS]), have been prepared from the fundus of the porcine stomach. Strips were mounted with muscle fibers of the circumferential layer inline with the force-measuring axis of the uniaxial testing setup. The force-length (FLR) and force-velocity relationships (FVR) were determined through a series of isometric and isotonic contractions, respectively. Muscle layer separation revealed no changes in the FLR. However, the SLS exhibited a higher maximal shortening velocity and a lower curvature factor than WMS. During WMS activation, the transversally oriented muscle fibers of the longitudinal layer shortened, resulting in a narrowing of this layer. Expecting volume constancy of muscle tissue, this narrowing leads to a lengthening of the longitudinal layer, which counteracted the shortening of the circumferential layer during isotonic contractions. Consequently, the shortening velocities of the WMS were decreased significantly. This effect was stronger at high shortening velocities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mischa Borsdorf
- Department of Motion and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Markus Böl
- Institute of Mechanics and Adaptronics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Tobias Siebert
- Department of Motion and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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11
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Boycott HE, Nguyen MN, Vrellaku B, Gehmlich K, Robinson P. Nitric Oxide and Mechano-Electrical Transduction in Cardiomyocytes. Front Physiol 2020; 11:606740. [PMID: 33384614 PMCID: PMC7770138 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.606740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability§ of the heart to adapt to changes in the mechanical environment is critical for normal cardiac physiology. The role of nitric oxide is increasingly recognized as a mediator of mechanical signaling. Produced in the heart by nitric oxide synthases, nitric oxide affects almost all mechano-transduction pathways within the cardiomyocyte, with roles mediating mechano-sensing, mechano-electric feedback (via modulation of ion channel activity), and calcium handling. As more precise experimental techniques for applying mechanical stresses to cells are developed, the role of these forces in cardiomyocyte function can be further understood. Furthermore, specific inhibitors of different nitric oxide synthase isoforms are now available to elucidate the role of these enzymes in mediating mechano-electrical signaling. Understanding of the links between nitric oxide production and mechano-electrical signaling is incomplete, particularly whether mechanically sensitive ion channels are regulated by nitric oxide, and how this affects the cardiac action potential. This is of particular relevance to conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure, in which nitric oxide production is reduced. Dysfunction of the nitric oxide/mechano-electrical signaling pathways are likely to be a feature of cardiac pathology (e.g., atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure) and a better understanding of the importance of nitric oxide signaling and its links to mechanical regulation of heart function may advance our understanding of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Boycott
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine and British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - My-Nhan Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine and British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Besarte Vrellaku
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine and British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Katja Gehmlich
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine and British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Robinson
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine and British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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12
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Force enhancement after stretch of isolated myofibrils is increased by sarcomere length non-uniformities. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21590. [PMID: 33299041 PMCID: PMC7726039 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
When a muscle is stretched during a contraction, the resulting steady-state force is higher than the isometric force produced at a comparable sarcomere length. This phenomenon, also referred to as residual force enhancement, cannot be readily explained by the force-sarcomere length relation. One of the most accepted mechanisms for the residual force enhancement is the development of sarcomere length non-uniformities after an active stretch. The aim of this study was to directly investigate the effect of non-uniformities on the force-producing capabilities of isolated myofibrils after they are actively stretched. We evaluated the effect of depleting a single A-band on sarcomere length non-uniformity and residual force enhancement. We observed that sarcomere length non-uniformity was effectively increased following A-band depletion. Furthermore, isometric forces decreased, while the percent residual force enhancement increased compared to intact myofibrils (5% vs. 20%). We conclude that sarcomere length non-uniformities are partially responsible for the enhanced force production after stretch.
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13
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Boldt K, Han SW, Joumaa V, Herzog W. Residual and passive force enhancement in skinned cardiac fibre bundles. J Biomech 2020; 109:109953. [PMID: 32807325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In skeletal muscle, steady-state force is consistently greater following active stretch than during a purely isometric contraction at the same length (residual force enhancement; RFE). Similarly, when deactivated, the force remains higher following active stretch than following an isometric condition (passive force enhancement; PFE). RFE and PFE have been associated with the sarcomere protein titin, but skeletal and cardiac titin have different structures, and results regarding RFE in cardiac muscle have been inconsistent and contradictory. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if cardiac muscle exhibits RFE and PFE. Skinned fibre bundles (n = 10) were activated isometrically at a sarcomere length of 2.2 μm and actively stretched by 15% of their length. The resultant active and passive forces were compared to the corresponding forces obtained for purely isometric contractions at the long length. RFE was observed in all fibre bundles, averaging 5.5 ± 2.5% (ranging from 2.3 to 9.4%). PFE was observed in nine of the ten bundles, averaging 11.1 ± 6.5% (ranging from -2.1 to 18.7%). Stiffness was not different between the active isometric and the force enhanced conditions, but was higher following deactivation from the force-enhanced compared to the isometric reference state. We conclude that there is RFE and PFE in cardiac muscle. We speculate that cardiac muscle has the same RFE capability as skeletal muscle, and that the most likely mechanism for the RFE and PFE is the engagement of a passive structural element during active stretching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Boldt
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Canada.
| | - Seong-Won Han
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Venus Joumaa
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Walter Herzog
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Canada
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14
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Tomalka A, Weidner S, Hahn D, Seiberl W, Siebert T. Cross-Bridges and Sarcomeric Non-cross-bridge Structures Contribute to Increased Work in Stretch-Shortening Cycles. Front Physiol 2020; 11:921. [PMID: 32848862 PMCID: PMC7399218 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stretch-shortening cycles (SSCs) refer to the muscle action when an active muscle stretch is immediately followed by active muscle shortening. This combination of eccentric and concentric contractions is the most important type of daily muscle action and plays a significant role in natural locomotion such as walking, running or jumping. SSCs are used in human and animal movements especially when a high movement speed or economy is required. A key feature of SSCs is the increase in muscular force and work during the concentric phase of a SSC by more than 50% compared with concentric muscle actions without prior stretch (SSC-effect). This improved muscle capability is related to various mechanisms, including pre-activation, stretch-reflex responses and elastic recoil from serial elastic tissues. Moreover, it is assumed that a significant contribution to enhanced muscle capability lies in the sarcomeres itself. Thus, we investigated the force output and work produced by single skinned fibers of rat soleus muscles during and after ramp contractions at a constant velocity. Shortening, lengthening, and SSCs were performed under physiological boundary conditions with 85% of the maximum shortening velocity and stretch-shortening magnitudes of 18% of the optimum muscle length. The different contributions of cross-bridge (XB) and non-cross-bridge (non-XB) structures to the total muscle force were identified by using Blebbistatin. The experiments revealed three main results: (i) partial detachment of XBs during the eccentric phase of a SSC, (ii) significantly enhanced forces and mechanical work during the concentric phase of SSCs compared with shortening contractions with and without XB-inhibition, and (iii) no residual force depression after SSCs. The results obtained by administering Blebbistatin propose a titin-actin interaction that depends on XB-binding or active XB-based force production. The findings of this study further suggest that enhanced forces generated during the active lengthening phase of SSCs persist during the subsequent shortening phase, thereby contributing to enhanced work. Accordingly, our data support the hypothesis that sarcomeric mechanisms related to residual force enhancement also contribute to the SSC-effect. The preload of the titin molecule, acting as molecular spring, might be part of that mechanism by increasing the mechanical efficiency of work during physiological SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Tomalka
- Department of Motion and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sven Weidner
- Department of Motion and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Daniel Hahn
- Human Movement Science, Faculty of Sports Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Seiberl
- Human Movement Science, Bundeswehr University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Siebert
- Department of Motion and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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