Identification of a conserved set of upregulated genes in mouse skeletal muscle hypertrophy and regrowth

Adaptation of the transcriptional response to resistance exercise over 4 weeks of daily training

We present the time course of change in the muscle transcriptome 1 h after the last exercise bout of a daily resistance training program lasting 2, 10, 20, or 30 days. Daily exercise in rat tibialis anterior muscles (5 sets of 10 repetitions over 20 min) induced progressive muscle growth that approached a new stable state after 30 days. The acute transcriptional response changed along with progressive adaptation of the muscle phenotype. For example, expression of type 2B myosin was silenced. Time courses recently synthesized from human exercise studies do not demonstrate so clearly the interplay between the acute exercise response and the longer-term consequences of repeated exercise. We highlight classes of transcripts and transcription factors whose expression increases during the growth phase and declines again as the muscle adapts to a new daily pattern of activity and reduces its rate of growth. Myc appears to play a central role.

Combining Gene Mutation with Expression of Candidate Genes to Improve Diagnosis of Escobar Syndrome

Escobar syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system and the skin. Mutations in the CHRNG and TPM2 genes are associated with this pathology. In this study, we conducted a clinical and genetic investigation of five patients and also explored via in silico and gene expression analysis their phenotypic variability. In detail, we identified a patient with a novel composite heterozygous variant of the CHRNG gene and two recurrent mutations in both CHRNG and TPM2 in the rest of the patients. As for the clinical particularities, we reported a list of modifier genes in a patient suffering from myopathy. Moreover, we identified decreased expression of IGF-1, which could be related to the short stature of Escobar patients, and increased expression of POLG1 specific to patients with TPM2 mutation. Through this study, we identified the genetic spectrum of Escobar syndrome in the Tunisian population, which will allow setting up genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for families at risk. In addition, we highlighted relevant biomarkers that could differentiate between patients with different genetic defects.

Ranolazine Counteracts Strength Impairment and Oxidative Stress in Aged Sarcopenic Mice

Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of muscle mass associated with reduced strength leading to poor quality of life in elderly people. The decline of skeletal muscle performance is characterized by bioenergetic impairment and severe oxidative stress, and does not always strictly correlate with muscle mass loss. We chose to investigate the ability of the metabolic modulator Ranolazine to counteract skeletal muscle dysfunctions that occur with aging. For this purpose, we treated aged C57BL/6 mice with Ranolazine/vehicle for 14 days and collected the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles for histological and gene expression analyses, respectively. We found that Ranolazine treatment significantly increased the muscle strength of aged mice. At the histological level, we found an increase in centrally nucleated fibers associated with an up-regulation of genes encoding MyoD, Periostin and Osteopontin, thus suggesting a remodeling of the muscle even in the absence of physical exercise. Notably, these beneficial effects of Ranolazine were also accompanied by an up-regulation of antioxidant and mitochondrial genes as well as of NADH-dehydrogenase activity, together with a more efficient protection from oxidative damage in the skeletal muscle. These data indicate that the protection of muscle from oxidative stress by Ranolazine might represent a valuable approach to increase skeletal muscle strength in elderly populations.

Increased muscle fiber size and pathology with botulinum toxin treatment of upper extremity muscles in cerebral palsy

Intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin A (BTX) are regularly used to treat skeletal muscle spasticity and relieve pain during rehabilitation therapy. However, while numerous preclinical studies have shown dramatic atrophic changes in muscle, little is known about the long-term effect of toxin on human skeletal muscle. In this study, muscle morphology was analyzed in biopsies taken from spastic upper extremity muscles of 8 cerebral palsy patients treated with BTX 5 months to 4 years prior sampling and was compared to muscles from 7 patients who had not ever received BTX treatment (overall 25 muscle biopsies obtained from 6 different muscles.). The most important (and surprising) finding was that BTX-treated muscles contained significantly larger fibers compared to untreated muscles. A strong correlation between fiber size and age was observed but the growth rate in the BTX group was larger. Pathological signs such as central nuclei, neonatal myosin heavy chain expression, angular fibers and hybrid fibers (expressing both slow and fast myosin heavy chain fibers) were significantly greater in BTX-treated muscles compared to untreated muscles. Capillarization was also increased in BTX-treated muscle compared to untreated muscles and was the best predictor of fiber size. We suggest that, in the context of spasticity, BTX may block negative, atrophy-inducing pressure of the central nervous system on skeletal muscle or may allow an altered use pattern that should be considered a positive adjuvant to current rehabilitation therapies.

Dynamic Changes to the Skeletal Muscle Proteome and Ubiquitinome Induced by the E3 Ligase, ASB2β

Ubiquitination is a posttranslational protein modification that has been shown to have a range of effects, including regulation of protein function, interaction, localization, and degradation. We have previously shown that the muscle-specific ubiquitin E3 ligase, ASB2β, is downregulated in models of muscle growth and that overexpression ASB2β is sufficient to induce muscle atrophy. To gain insight into the effects of increased ASB2β expression on skeletal muscle mass and function, we used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry to investigate ASB2β-mediated changes to the skeletal muscle proteome and ubiquitinome, via a parallel analysis of remnant diGly-modified peptides. The results show that viral vector-mediated ASB2β overexpression in murine muscles causes progressive muscle atrophy and impairment of force-producing capacity, while ASB2β knockdown induces mild muscle hypertrophy. ASB2β-induced muscle atrophy and dysfunction were associated with the early downregulation of mitochondrial and contractile protein abundance and the upregulation of proteins involved in proteasome-mediated protein degradation (including other E3 ligases), protein synthesis, and the cytoskeleton/sarcomere. The overexpression ASB2β also resulted in marked changes in protein ubiquitination; however, there was no simple relationship between changes in ubiquitination status and protein abundance. To investigate proteins that interact with ASB2β and, therefore, potential ASB2β targets, Flag-tagged wild-type ASB2β, and a mutant ASB2β lacking the C-terminal SOCS box domain (dSOCS) were immunoprecipitated from C2C12 myotubes and subjected to label-free proteomic analysis to determine the ASB2β interactome. ASB2β was found to interact with a range of cytoskeletal and nuclear proteins. When combined with the in vivo ubiquitinomic data, our studies have identified novel putative ASB2β target substrates that warrant further investigation. These findings provide novel insight into the complexity of proteome and ubiquitinome changes that occur during E3 ligase-mediated skeletal muscle atrophy and dysfunction.

Response of Resistance Exercise-Induced Muscle Protein Synthesis and Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy Are Not Enhanced After Disuse Muscle Atrophy in Rat

Skeletal muscle disuse rapidly decreases muscle mass. Resistance training (RT) is believed as the most effective way to gain muscle mass via an increase in mTORC1 activity and muscle protein synthesis (MPS). However, it remains unclear whether muscle atrophy by disuse alters the mTORC1 activation and MPS response to an acute resistance exercise (RE) and chronic RT-mediated skeletal muscle hypertrophy. This study investigated the influence of disuse muscle atrophy on the response of mTORC1 activation and MPS to an acute RE. We also evaluated whether disuse muscle atrophy affects the response of RT-induced muscle mass gain. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (CON) or hindlimb suspension (HS) groups. A 14-day HS via the tail was used as the model for gastrocnemius muscle disuse in the HS group. Unilateral lower limb muscle contraction using by percutaneous electrical stimulation was used to mimic the stimuli of RE. Ten bouts of RE were performed in 3-week as chronic RT. Our results showed that MPS and mTORC1 activity was unchanged after HS at basal state. However, the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) level was reduced in HS rats compared to that in CON rats at basal state. MPS and rRNA increased in both HS and CON rats in response to acute RE to the same extent. However, the level of mTORC1 activation in response to an acute RE was significantly higher in HS than that in the CON group at 12 h after exercise, even though no difference was observed at 3 h after exercise. The 10-bout RT significantly increased gastrocnemius muscle mass in both CON and HS rats. The response of muscle hypertrophy did not differ between the groups. Therefore, MPS in response to acute RE and muscle hypertrophy in response to chronic RT were unaltered after disuse muscle atrophy.

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism and appearance of slow myofiber-specific isoforms accompany the development of Wooden Breast myopathy in modern broiler chickens

Previous transcriptomic studies have hypothesized the occurrence of slow myofiber-phenotype, and dysregulation of lipid metabolism as being associated with the development of Wooden Breast (WB), a meat quality defect in commercial broiler chickens. To gain a deep understanding of the manifestation and implication of these two biological processes in health and disease states in chickens, cellular and global expression of specific genes related to the respective processes were examined in pectoralis major muscles of modern fast-growing and unselected slow-growing chickens. Using RNA in situ hybridization, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was found to be expressed in endothelial cells of capillaries and small-caliber veins in chickens. RNA-seq analysis revealed upregulation of lipid-related genes in WB-affected chickens at week 3 and downregulation at week 7 of age. On the other hand, cellular localization of slow myofiber-type genes revealed their increased expression in mature myofibers of WB-affected chickens. Similarly, global expression of slow myofiber-type genes showed upregulation in affected chickens at both timepoints. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the expression of LPL from the vascular endothelium in chickens. This study also confirms the existence of slow myofiber-phenotype and provides mechanistic insights into increased lipid uptake and metabolism in WB disease process.

The impact of skeletal muscle contraction on CD146+Lin- pericytes

Unaccustomed resistance exercise can initiate skeletal muscle remodeling and adaptive mechanisms that can confer protection from damage and enhanced strength with subsequent stimulation. The myofiber may provide the primary origin for adaptation, yet multiple mononuclear cell types within the surrounding connective tissue may also contribute. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute response of muscle-resident interstitial cells to contraction initiated by electrical stimulation (e-stim) and subsequently determine the contribution of pericytes to remodeling as a result of training. Mice were subjected to bilateral e-stim or sham treatment. Following a single session of e-stim, NG2+CD45-CD31- (NG2+Lin-) pericyte, CD146+Lin- pericyte, and PDGFRα+ fibroadipogenic progenitor cell quantity and function were evaluated via multiplex flow cytometry and targeted quantitative PCR. Relative quantity was not significantly altered 24 h postcontraction, yet unique gene signatures were observed for each cell population at 3 h postcontraction. CD146+Lin- pericytes appeared to be most responsive to contraction, and upregulation of genes related to immunomodulation and extracellular matrix remodeling was observed via RNA sequencing. Intramuscular injection of CD146+Lin- pericytes did not significantly increase myofiber size yet enhanced ECM remodeling and angiogenesis in response to repeated bouts of e-stim for 4 wk. The results from this study provide the first evidence that CD146+Lin- pericytes are responsive to skeletal muscle contraction and may contribute to the beneficial outcomes associated with exercise.

Acute sprint exercise transcriptome in human skeletal muscle

Aim

To examine global gene expression response to profound metabolic and hormonal stress induced by acute sprint exercise.

Methods

Healthy men and women (n = 14) performed three all-out cycle sprints interspersed by 20 min recovery. Muscle biopsies were obtained before the first, and 2h and 20 min after last sprint. Microarray analysis was performed to analyse acute gene expression response and repeated blood samples were obtained.

Results

In skeletal muscle, a set of immediate early genes, FOS, NR4A3, MAFF, EGR1, JUNB were markedly upregulated after sprint exercise. Gene ontology analysis from 879 differentially expressed genes revealed predicted activation of various upstream regulators and downstream biofunctions. Gene signatures predicted an enhanced turnover of skeletal muscle mass after sprint exercise and some novel induced genes such as WNT9A, FZD7 and KLHL40 were presented. A substantial increase in circulating free fatty acids (FFA) was noted after sprint exercise, in parallel with upregulation of PGC-1A and the downstream gene PERM1 and gene signatures predicting enhanced lipid turnover. Increase in growth hormone and insulin in blood were related to changes in gene expressions and both hormones were predicted as upstream regulators.

Conclusion

This is the first study reporting global gene expression in skeletal muscle in response to acute sprint exercise and several novel findings are presented. First, in line with that muscle hypertrophy is not a typical finding after a period of sprint training, both hypertrophy and atrophy factors were regulated. Second, systemic FFA and hormonal and exposure might be involved in the sprint exercise-induced changes in gene expression.

Ribosome specialization and its potential role in the control of protein translation and skeletal muscle size

The ribosome is typically viewed as a supramolecular complex with constitutive and invariant capacity in mediating translation of mRNA into protein. This view has been challenged by recent research revealing that ribosome composition could be heterogeneous, and this heterogeneity leads to functional ribosome specialization. This review presents the idea that ribosome heterogeneity results from changes in its various components, including variations in ribosomal protein (RP) composition, posttranslational modifications of RPs, changes in ribosomal-associated proteins, alternative forms of rRNA, and posttranscriptional modifications of rRNAs. Ribosome heterogeneity could be orchestrated at several levels and may depend on numerous factors, such as the subcellular location, cell type, tissue specificity, the development state, cell state, ribosome biogenesis, RP turnover, physiological stimuli, and circadian rhythm. Ribosome specialization represents a completely new concept for the regulation of gene expression. Specialized ribosomes could modulate several aspects of translational control, such as mRNA translation selectivity, translation initiation, translational fidelity, and translation elongation. Recent research indicates that the expression of Rpl3 is markedly increased, while that of Rpl3l is highly reduced during mouse skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Moreover, Rpl3l overexpression impairs the growth and myogenic fusion of myotubes. Although the function of Rpl3 and Rpl3l in the ribosome remains to be clarified, these findings suggest that ribosome specialization may be potentially involved in the control of protein translation and skeletal muscle size. Limited data concerning ribosome specialization are currently available in skeletal muscle. Future investigations have the potential to delineate the function of specialized ribosomes in skeletal muscle.

Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 elicit divergent changes in gene expression in skeletal muscle following anabolic and catabolic stimuli

Skeletal muscle is a highly plastic organ regulating various processes in the body. As such, loss of skeletal muscle underlies the increased morbidity and mortality risk that is associated with numerous conditions. However, no therapies are available to combat the loss of muscle mass during atrophic conditions, which is due in part to the incomplete understanding of the molecular networks altered by anabolic and catabolic stimuli. Thus, the current objective was to identify novel gene networks modulated by such stimuli. For this, total RNA from the tibialis anterior muscle of mice that were fasted overnight or fasted overnight and refed the next morning was subjected to microarray analysis. The refeeding stimulus altered the expression of genes associated with signal transduction. Specifically, expression of alpha arrestin domain containing 2 (Arrdc2) and alpha arrestin domain containing 3 (Arrdc3) was significantly lowered 70–85% by refeeding. Subsequent analysis showed that expression of these genes was also lowered 50–75% by mechanical overload, with the combination of nutrients and mechanical overload acting synergistically to lower Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 expression. On the converse, stimuli that suppress growth such as testosterone depletion or acute aerobic exercise increased Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 expression in skeletal muscle. While Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 exhibited divergent changes in expression following anabolic or catabolic stimuli, no other member of the Arrdc family of genes exhibited the consistent change in expression across the analyzed conditions. Thus, Arrdc2 and Arrdc3 are a novel set of genes that may be implicated in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass.

Myonuclear accretion is a determinant of exercise-induced remodeling in skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle adapts to external stimuli such as increased work. Muscle progenitors (MPs) control muscle repair due to severe damage, but the role of MP fusion and associated myonuclear accretion during exercise are unclear. While we previously demonstrated that MP fusion is required for growth using a supra-physiological model (Goh and Millay, 2017), questions remained about the need for myonuclear accrual during muscle adaptation in a physiological setting. Here, we developed an 8 week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol and assessed the importance of MP fusion. In 8 month-old mice, HIIT led to progressive myonuclear accretion throughout the protocol, and functional muscle hypertrophy. Abrogation of MP fusion at the onset of HIIT resulted in exercise intolerance and fibrosis. In contrast, ablation of MP fusion 4 weeks into HIIT, preserved exercise tolerance but attenuated hypertrophy. We conclude that myonuclear accretion is required for different facets of exercise-induced adaptive responses, impacting both muscle repair and hypertrophic growth.

Molecular Regulation of Exercise-Induced Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy

Skeletal muscle hypertrophy is a widely sought exercise adaptation to counteract the muscle atrophy of aging and disease, or to improve athletic performance. While this desired muscle enlargement is a well-known adaptation to resistance exercise training (RT), the mechanistic underpinnings are not fully understood. The purpose of this review is thus to provide the reader with a summary of recent advances in molecular mechanisms-based on the most current literature-that are thought to promote RT-induced muscle hypertrophy. We have therefore focused this discussion on the following areas of fertile investigation: ribosomal function and biogenesis, muscle stem (satellite) cell activity, transcriptional regulation, mechanotransduction, and myokine signaling.

Postnatal tendon growth and remodeling require platelet-derived growth factor receptor signaling

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling plays an important role in the fundamental biological activities of many cells that compose musculoskeletal tissues. However, little is known about the role of PDGFR signaling during tendon growth and remodeling in adult animals. Using the hindlimb synergist ablation model of tendon growth, our objectives were to determine the role of PDGFR signaling in the adaptation of tendons subjected to a mechanical growth stimulus, as well as to investigate the biological mechanisms behind this response. We demonstrate that both PDGFRs, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ, are expressed in tendon fibroblasts and that the inhibition of PDGFR signaling suppresses the normal growth of tendon tissue in response to mechanical growth cues due to defects in fibroblast proliferation and migration. We also identify membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) as an essential proteinase for the migration of tendon fibroblasts through their extracellular matrix. Furthermore, we report that MT1-MMP translation is regulated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling, while ERK1/2 controls posttranslational trafficking of MT1-MMP to the plasma membrane of tendon fibroblasts. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that PDGFR signaling is necessary for postnatal tendon growth and remodeling and that MT1-MMP is a critical mediator of tendon fibroblast migration and a potential target for the treatment of tendon injuries and diseases.

Comparative Analysis of Muscle Hypertrophy Models Reveals Divergent Gene Transcription Profiles and Points to Translational Regulation of Muscle Growth through Increased mTOR Signaling

Skeletal muscle mass is a result of the balance between protein breakdown and protein synthesis. It has been shown that multiple conditions of muscle atrophy are characterized by the common regulation of a specific set of genes, termed atrogenes. It is not known whether various models of muscle hypertrophy are similarly regulated by a common transcriptional program. Here, we characterized gene expression changes in three different conditions of muscle growth, examining each condition during acute and chronic phases. Specifically, we compared the transcriptome of Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL) muscles collected (1) during the rapid phase of postnatal growth at 2 and 4 weeks of age, (2) 24 h or 3 weeks after constitutive activation of AKT, and (3) 24 h or 3 weeks after overload hypertrophy caused by tenotomy of the Tibialis Anterior muscle. We observed an important overlap between significantly regulated genes when comparing each single condition at the two different timepoints. Furthermore, examining the transcriptional changes occurring 24 h after a hypertrophic stimulus, we identify an important role for genes linked to a stress response, despite the absence of muscle damage in the AKT model. However, when we compared all different growth conditions, we did not find a common transcriptional fingerprint. On the other hand, all conditions showed a marked increase in mTORC1 signaling and increased ribosome biogenesis, suggesting that muscle growth is characterized more by translational, than transcriptional regulation.

Sex differences in tendon structure and function

Tendons play a critical role in the transmission of forces between muscles and bones, and chronic tendon injuries and diseases are among the leading causes of musculoskeletal disability. Little is known about sex-based differences in tendon structure and function. Our objective was to evaluate the mechanical properties, biochemical composition, transcriptome, and cellular activity of plantarflexor tendons from 4 month old male and female C57BL/6 mice using in vitro biomechanics, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, genome-wide expression profiling, and cell culture techniques. While the Achilles tendons of male mice were approximately 6% larger than female mice (p < 0.05), the cell density of female mice was around 19% greater than males (p < 0.05). No significant differences in mechanical properties (p > 0.05) of plantaris tendons were observed. Mass spectrometry proteomics analysis revealed no significant difference between sexes in the abundance of major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen types I (p = 0.30) and III (p = 0.68), but female mice had approximately twofold elevations (p < 0.05) in less abundant ECM proteins such as fibronectin, periostin, and tenascin C. The transcriptome of male and female tendons differed by only 1%. In vitro, neither the sex of the serum that fibroblasts were cultured in, nor the sex of the ECM in which they were embedded, had profound effects on the expression of collagen and cell proliferation genes. Our results indicate that while male mice expectedly had larger tendons, male and female tendons have very similar mechanical properties and biochemical composition, with small increases in some ECM proteins and proteoglycans evident in female tendons. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2117-2126, 2017.

Effects of aging on basement membrane of the soleus muscle during recovery following disuse atrophy in rats

Aging is known to lead to the impaired recovery of muscle after disuse as well as the increased susceptibility of the muscle to damage. Here, we show that, in the older rats, reloading after disuse atrophy, causes the damage of the muscle fibers and the basement membrane (BM) that structurally support the muscle fibers. Male Wistar rats of 3-(young) and 20-(older) months of age were subjected to hindlimb-unloading for 2weeks followed by reloading for a week. In the older rats, the soleus muscles showed necrosis and central nuclei fiber indicating the regeneration of muscle fibers. Furthermore, ectopic immunoreactivity of collagen IV, a major component of the BM, remained mostly associated with the necrotic appearance, suggesting that the older rats were impaired with the ability of repairing the damaged BM. Further, after unloading and reloading, the older rats did not show a significant alteration, although the young rats showed clear response of Col4a1 and Col4a2 genes, both coding for collagen IV. In addition, during the recovery phase, the young rats showed increase in the amount of Hsp47 and Sparc mRNA, which are protein folding-related factor genes, while the older rats did not show any significant variation. Taken together, our findings suggest that the atrophic muscle fibers of the older rats induced by unloading were vulnerable to the weight loading, and that attenuated reactivity of the BM-synthesizing fibroblast to gravity contributes to the fragility of muscle fibers in the older animals.

Hippo Pathway and Skeletal Muscle Mass Regulation in Mammals: A Controversial Relationship

Skeletal muscle mass reflects a dynamic turnover between net protein synthesis and degradation. In addition, satellite cell inclusion may contribute to increase muscle mass while fiber loss results in a reduction of muscle mass. Since 2010, a few studies looked at the involvement of the newly discovered Hippo pathway in the regulation of muscle mass. In line with its roles in other organs, it has been hypothesized that the Hippo pathway could play a role in different regulatory mechanisms in skeletal muscle as well, namely proliferation and renewal of satellite cells, differentiation, death, and growth of myogenic cells. While the Hippo components have been identified in skeletal muscle, their role in muscle mass regulation has been less investigated and conflicting results have been reported. Indeed, the first studies described both atrophic and hypertrophic roles of the Hippo pathway and its effectors Yap/Taz using different biochemical approaches. Further, investigation is therefore warranted to determine the role of the Hippo pathway in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass. New components of the pathway will probably emerge and unsuspected roles will likely be discovered due to its numerous interactions with different cellular processes. This mini-review aims to summarize the current literature concerning the roles of the Hippo pathway in the regulation of muscle mass and to develop the hypothesis that this pathway could contribute to muscle mass adaptation after exercise.

Inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor signaling prevents muscle fiber growth during skeletal muscle hypertrophy

The platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFRα and PDGFRβ) mark fibroadipogenic progenitor cells/fibroblasts and pericytes in skeletal muscle, respectively. While the role that these cells play in muscle growth and development has been evaluated, it was not known whether the PDGF receptors activate signaling pathways that control transcriptional and functional changes during skeletal muscle hypertrophy. To evaluate this, we inhibited PDGFR signaling in mice subjected to a synergist ablation muscle growth procedure, and performed analyses 3 and 10 days after induction of hypertrophy. The results from this study indicate that PDGF signaling is required for fiber hypertrophy, extracellular matrix production, and angiogenesis that occur during muscle growth.

Changes in muscle fiber contractility and extracellular matrix production during skeletal muscle hypertrophy

Skeletal muscle can adapt to increased mechanical loads by undergoing hypertrophy. Transient reductions in whole muscle force production have been reported during the onset of hypertrophy, but contractile changes in individual muscle fibers have not been previously studied. Additionally, the extracellular matrix (ECM) stores and transmits forces from muscle fibers to tendons and bones, and determining how the ECM changes during hypertrophy is important in understanding the adaptation of muscle tissue to mechanical loading. Using the synergist ablation model, we sought to measure changes in muscle fiber contractility, collagen content, and cross-linking, and in the expression of several genes and activation of signaling proteins that regulate critical components of myogenesis and ECM synthesis and remodeling during muscle hypertrophy. Tissues were harvested 3, 7, and 28 days after induction of hypertrophy, and nonoverloaded rats served as controls. Muscle fiber specific force (sF_o), which is the maximum isometric force normalized to cross-sectional area, was reduced 3 and 7 days after the onset of mechanical overload, but returned to control levels by 28 days. Collagen abundance displayed a similar pattern of change. Nearly a quarter of the transcriptome changed over the course of overload, as well as the activation of signaling pathways related to hypertrophy and atrophy. Overall, this study provides insight into fundamental mechanisms of muscle and ECM growth, and indicates that although muscle fibers appear to have completed remodeling and regeneration 1 mo after synergist ablation, the ECM continues to be actively remodeling at this time point.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study utilized a rat synergist ablation model to integrate changes in single muscle fiber contractility, extracellular matrix composition, activation of important signaling pathways in muscle adaption, and corresponding changes in the muscle transcriptome to provide novel insight into the basic biological mechanisms of muscle fiber hypertrophy.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Activates Proinflammatory Signaling Pathways and Induces Oxidative Stress in Tendon Fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

Tendon injuries are one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in active patients. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown some promise in the treatment of tendon disorders, but little is known as to the mechanisms by which PRP can improve tendon regeneration. PRP contains numerous different growth factors and cytokines that activate various cellular signaling cascades, but it has been difficult to determine precisely which signaling pathways and cellular responses are activated after PRP treatment. Additionally, macrophages play an important role in modulating tendon regeneration, but the influence of PRP on determining whether macrophages assume a proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory phenotype remains unknown.

PURPOSE

To use genome-wide expression profiling, bioinformatics, and protein analysis to determine the cellular pathways activated in fibroblasts treated with PRP. The effect of PRP on macrophage polarization was also evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

Tendon fibroblasts or macrophages from rats were cultured and treated with either platelet-poor plasma (PPP) or PRP. RNA or protein was isolated from cells and analyzed using microarrays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, or bioinformatics techniques.

RESULTS

Pathway analysis determined that the most highly induced signaling pathways in PRP-treated tendon fibroblasts were TNFα and NFκB pathways. PRP also downregulated the expression of extracellular matrix genes and induced the expression of autophagy-related genes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) genes and protein markers in tendon fibroblasts. PRP failed to have a major effect on markers of macrophage polarization.

CONCLUSION

PRP induces an inflammatory response in tendon fibroblasts, which leads to the formation of ROS and the activation of oxidative stress pathways. PRP does not appear to significantly modulate macrophage polarization.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

PRP might act by inducing a transient inflammatory event, which could then trigger a tissue regeneration response.

Exercise Capacity and Response to Training Quantitative Trait Loci in a NZW X 129S1 Intercross and Combined Cross Analysis of Inbred Mouse Strains

Genetic factors determining exercise capacity and the magnitude of the response to exercise training are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with exercise training in mice. Based on marked differences in training responses in inbred NZW (-0.65 ± 1.73 min) and 129S1 (6.18 ± 3.81 min) mice, a reciprocal intercross breeding scheme was used to generate 285 F₂ mice. All F₂ mice completed an exercise performance test before and after a 4-week treadmill running program, resulting in an increase in exercise capacity of 1.54 ± 3.69 min (range = -10 to +12 min). Genome-wide linkage scans were performed for pre-training, post-training, and change in run time. For pre-training exercise time, suggestive QTL were identified on Chromosomes 5 (57.4 cM, 2.5 LOD) and 6 (47.8 cM, 2.9 LOD). A significant QTL for post-training exercise capacity was identified on Chromosome 5 (43.4 cM, 4.1 LOD) and a suggestive QTL on Chromosomes 1 (55.7 cM, 2.3 LOD) and 8 (66.1 cM, 2.2 LOD). A suggestive QTL for the change in run time was identified on Chromosome 6 (37.8 cM, 2.7 LOD). To identify shared QTL, this data set was combined with data from a previous F₂ cross between B6 and FVB strains. In the combined cross analysis, significant novel QTL for pre-training exercise time and change in exercise time were identified on Chromosome 12 (54.0 cM, 3.6 LOD) and Chromosome 6 (28.0 cM, 3.7 LOD), respectively. Collectively, these data suggest that combined cross analysis can be used to identify novel QTL and narrow the confidence interval of QTL for exercise capacity and responses to training. Furthermore, these data support the use of larger and more diverse mapping populations to identify the genetic basis for exercise capacity and responses to training.