Mechanical-stretch of C2C12 myoblasts inhibits expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and of autoantigens associated with inflammatory myopathies

Vibration acceleration enhances proliferation, migration, and maturation of C2C12 cells and promotes regeneration of muscle injury in male rats

Vibration acceleration (VA) using a whole-body vibration device is beneficial for skeletal muscles. However, its effect at the cellular level remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of VA on muscles in vitro and in vivo using the C2C12 mouse myoblast cell line and cardiotoxin-induced injury in male rat soleus muscles. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the WST/CCK-8 assay and proportion of Ki-67 positive cells. Cell migration was assessed using wound-healing assay. Cell differentiation was examined by the maturation index in immunostained cultured myotubes and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Regeneration of soleus muscle in rats was assessed by recruitment of satellite cells, cross-sectional area of regenerated muscle fibers, number of centrally nucleated fibers, and conversion of regenerated muscle from fast- to slow-twitch. VA at 30 Hz with low amplitude for 10 min promoted C2C12 cell proliferation, migration, and myotube maturation, without promoting expression of genes related to differentiation. VA significantly increased Pax7-stained satellite cells and centrally nucleated fibers in injured soleus muscles on Day 7 and promoted conversion of fast- to slow-twitch muscle fibers with an increase in the mean cross-sectional area of regenerated muscle fibers on Day 14. VA enhanced the proliferation, migration, and maturation of C2C12 myoblasts and regeneration of injured rat muscles.

Adjustable Thermo-Responsive, Cell-Adhesive Tissue Engineering Scaffolds for Cell Stimulation through Periodic Changes in Culture Temperature

A three-dimensional (3D) scaffold ideally provides hierarchical complexity and imitates the chemistry and mechanical properties of the natural cell environment. Here, we report on a stimuli-responsive photo-cross-linkable resin formulation for the fabrication of scaffolds by continuous digital light processing (cDLP), which allows for the mechano-stimulation of adherent cells. The resin comprises a network-forming trifunctional acrylate ester monomer (trimethylolpropane triacrylate, or TMPTA), N-isopropyl acrylamide (NiPAAm), cationic dimethylaminoethyl acrylate (DMAEA) for enhanced cell interaction, and 4-acryloyl morpholine (AMO) to adjust the phase transition temperature (T_trans) of the equilibrium swollen cross-polymerized scaffold. With glycofurol as a biocompatible solvent, controlled three-dimensional structures were fabricated and the transition temperatures were adjusted by resin composition. The effects of the thermally induced mechano-stimulation were investigated with mouse fibroblasts (L929) and myoblasts (C2C12) on printed constructs. Periodic changes in the culture temperature stimulated the myoblast proliferation.

The pathophysiological effects of exercise in the management of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: A scoping review

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) is a term used for a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by severe muscle weakness. In addition to pharmacological treatment options, non-pharmacological methods such as exercising are essential for proper management of myositis. The present article aimed to provide an insight into the potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying exercise-related benefits in myositis. A systematic search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the following keywords and their combinations: "idiopathic inflammatory myopathy", "inflammatory myopathy", "myositis", "polymyositis", "dermatomyositis", "inclusion body myositis", and "exercise". Current literature indicates that exercising has impact on both immune and non-immune pathways in patients with IIM. Exercise-related benefits include (a) increased mitochondrial biogenesis/enzyme activity, (b) reconditioning of immune/inflammatory pathways, (c) decreased endoplasmic reticulum stress, (d) modulation of gene expression, (e) increased protein synthesis and cytoskeletal remodeling, and (f) decreased muscle fibrosis and non-muscle area infiltrates. With its certain benefits, exercise stands as a precious non-pharmacological treatment option for patients with IIM.

MiR-147 inhibits cyclic mechanical stretch-induced apoptosis in L6 myoblasts via ameliorating endoplasmic reticulum stress by targeting BRMS1

Functional orthopedic treatment is effective for the correction of malformation. Studies demonstrated myoblasts undergo proliferation and apoptosis on certain stretch conditions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, and participate in various biological processes, including proliferation and apoptosis. One hypothesis suggested that miRNA was involved into the procedure via suppressing its target genes then triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis. Therefore, miRNAs play important roles in the regulation of the proliferation and apoptosis of myoblasts. In our study, the miR-147 has been explored. A cyclic mechanical stretch model was established to observe the features of rat L6 myoblasts. The detection of mRNA and protein levels was performed by qRT-PCR and western blot. L6 cell proliferation/apoptosis was checked by CCK-8 assay, DNA fragmentation assay, and caspase-3 activity assay. MiRNA transfections were performed as per the manufacturer's suggestions: (1) cyclic mechanical stretch induced apoptosis of L6 myoblasts and inhibition of miR-147; (2) miR-147 attenuated cyclic mechanical stretch-induced apoptosis of L6 myoblasts; (3) miR-147 attenuated cyclic mechanical stretch-induced L6 myoblast endoplasmic reticulum stress; (4) BRMS1 was a direct target of miR-147 in L6 myoblasts; (5) miR-147/BRMS1 axis participated in the regulation of cyclic mechanical stress on L6 myoblasts. MiR-147 attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress by targeting BRMS1 to inhibit cyclic mechanical stretch-induced apoptosis of L6 myoblasts.

Calmodulin-dependent signalling pathways are activated and mediate the acute inflammatory response of injured skeletal muscle

KEY POINTS

There is a close relationship between skeletal muscle physiology and Ca²⁺ /calmodulin (CaM) signalling. Despite the effects of Ca²⁺ /CaM signalling on immune and inflammatory responses having been extensively explored, few studies have investigated the role of CaM pathway activation on the post-injury muscle inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the role of CaM-dependent signalling in muscle inflammation in cardiotoxin induced myoinjuries in mice. The Ca²⁺ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMII), Ca²⁺ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV), and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathways are likely to be simultaneously activated in muscle cells and in infiltrating lymphocytes and to regulate the immune behaviours of myofibres in an inflammatory environment, and these pathways ultimately affect the outcome of muscle inflammation.

ABSTRACT

Calcium/calmodulin (Ca²⁺ /CaM) signalling is essential for immune and inflammatory responses in tissues. However, it is unclear if Ca²⁺ /CaM signalling interferes with muscle inflammation. Here we investigated the roles of CaM-dependent signalling in muscle inflammation in mice that had acute myoinjuries in the tibialis anterior muscle induced by intramuscular cardiotoxin (CTX) injections and received intraperitoneal injections of either the CaM inhibitor calmidazolium chloride (CCL) or CaM agonist calcium-like peptide 1 (CALP1). Multiple inflammatory parameters, including muscle autoantigens and toll-like receptors, mononuclear cell infiltration, cytokines and chemokines associated with peripheral muscle inflammation, were examined after the injury and treatment. CALP1 treatment enhanced intramuscular infiltration of monocytes/macrophages into the damaged tibialis anterior muscle and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of muscle autoantigens (Mi-2, HARS and Ku70) and Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP3) and Macrophage inflammatory protein-1(MIP-1α) in damaged muscle. In contrast, CCL treatment decreased the intramuscular cell infiltration and mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators. After CALP1 treatment, a substantial up-regulation in Ca²⁺ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), Ca²⁺ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activity was detected in CD45⁺ cells isolated from the damaged muscle. More pro-inflammatory F4/80⁺ Ly-6C⁺ cells were detected in CD45-gated cells after CALP1 treatment than in those after CCL treatment or no treatment. Consistently, in interferon-γ-stimulated cultured myoblasts and myotubes, CALP1 treatment up-regulated the activities of CaMKII, CaMKIV and NFAT, and levels of class I/II major histocompatibility complexes (MHC-I/II) and TLR3. Our findings demonstrated that CaM-dependent signalling pathways mediate the injury-induced acute muscle inflammatory response.

Effects of Cyclic Mechanical Stretch on the Proliferation of L6 Myoblasts and Its Mechanisms: PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signal Pathways Regulated by IGF-1 Receptor

Myoblast proliferation is crucial to skeletal muscle hypertrophy and regeneration. Our previous study indicated that mechanical stretch altered the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts, associated with insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-mediated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt (also known as protein kinase B) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways through IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R). The purpose of this study was to explore the same stretches on the proliferation of L6 myoblasts and its association with IGF-1-regulated PI3K/Akt and MAPK activations. L6 myoblasts were divided into three groups: control, 15% stretch, and 20% stretch. Stretches were achieved using FlexCell Strain Unit. Cell proliferation and IGF-1 concentration were detected by CCK8 and ELISA, respectively. IGF-1R expression, and expressions and activities of PI3K, Akt, and MAPKs (including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38) were determined by Western blot. We found that 15% stretch promoted, while 20% stretch inhibited L6 myoblast proliferation. A 15% stretch increased IGF-1R level, although had no effect on IGF-1 secretion of L6 myoblasts, and PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 (not p38) inhibitors attenuated 15% stretch-induced pro-proliferation. Exogenous IGF-1 reversed 20% stretch-induced anti-proliferation, accompanied with increases in IGF-1R level as well as PI3K/Akt and MAPK (ERK1/2 and p38) activations. In conclusion, stretch regulated L6 myoblasts proliferation, which may be mediated by the changes in PI3K/Akt and MAPK activations regulated by IGF-1R, despite no detectable IGF-1 from stretched L6 myoblasts.

Open Fluidics: A Cell Culture Flow System Developed Over Wettability Contrast-Based Chips

Biological tissues are recurrently exposed to several dynamic mechanical forces that influence cell behavior. On this work, the focus is on the shear stress forces induced by fluid flow. The study of flow-induced effects on cells leads to important advances in cardiovascular, cancer, stem cell, and bone biology understanding. These studies are performed using cell culture flow (CCF) systems, mainly parallel plate flow chambers (PPFC), and microfluidic systems. Here, it is proposed an original CCF system based on the open fluidics concept. The system is developed using a planar superhydrophobic platform with hydrophilic paths. The paths work as channels to drive cell culture medium flows without using walls for liquid confinement. The liquid streams are controlled just based on the wettability contrast. To validate the concept, the effect of the shear stress stimulus in the osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cells is studied. Combining bone morphogenic protein (specifically BMP-2) stimulation with this mechanical stimulus, a synergistic effect is found on osteoblast differentiation. This effect is confirmed by the enhancement of alkaline phosphatase activity, a well-known early marker of osteogenic differentiation. The suggested CCF system combines characteristics and advantages of both the PPFC and microfluidic systems.

Cyclic Stretch Facilitates Myogenesis in C2C12 Myoblasts and Rescues Thiazolidinedione-Inhibited Myotube Formation

Thiazolidinedione (TZD), a specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, was developed to control blood glucose in diabetes patients. However, several side effects were reported that increased the risk of heart failure. We used C2C12 myoblasts to investigate the role of PPARs and their transcriptional activity during myotube formation. The role of mechanical stretch during myogenesis was also explored by applying cyclic stretch to the differentiating C2C12 myoblasts with 10% strain deformation at 1 Hz. The myogenesis medium (MM), composed of Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium with 2% horse serum, facilitated myotube formation with increased myosin heavy chain and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein expression. The PPARγ protein and PPAR response element (PPRE) promoter activity decreased during MM induction. Cyclic stretch further facilitated the myogenesis in MM with increased α-SMA and decreased PPARγ protein expression and inhibited PPRE promoter activity. Adding a PPARγ agonist (TZD) to the MM stopped the myogenesis and restored the PPRE promoter activity, whereas a PPARγ antagonist (GW9662) significantly increased the myotube number and length. During the myogenesis induction, application of cyclic stretch rescued the inhibitory effects of TZD. These results provide novel perspectives for mechanical stretch to interplay and rescue the dysfunction of myogenesis with the involvement of PPARγ and its target drugs.

Effects of nitric oxide on notexin-induced muscle inflammatory responses

Excessive inflammatory response may delay the regeneration and damage the normal muscle fibers upon myoinjury. It would be important to be able to attenuate the inflammatory response and decrease inflammatory cells infiltration in order to improve muscle regeneration formation, resulting in better muscle functional recovery after myoinjury. This study was undertaken to explore the role of Nitric oxide (NO) during skeletal muscle inflammatory process, using a mouse model of Notexin induced myoinjury. Intramuscular injection (tibialis anterior, TA) of Notexin was performed for preparing mice myoinjury. NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) or NO donor (SNP) was intraperitoneally injected into model mice. On day 4 and 7 post-injury, expression of muscle-autoantigens and toll-like receptors (TLRs) was evaluated from muscle tissue by qRT-PCR and Western Blot; the intramuscular infiltration of monocytes/macrophage (CD11b⁺ or F4/80⁺ cells), CD8⁺ T cell (CD3ε⁺CD8α⁺), apoptotic cell (CD11b⁺caspase3⁺), and MHC-I molecule H-2K^b-expressing myofibers in damaged muscle were assessed by imunoflourecence analysis; the mRNAs expression of cytokines and chemokines associated with the preferential biological role during the muscle damage-induced inflammation response, were assessed by qRT-PCR. We detected the reduced monocytes/macrophages infiltration, and increased apoptotic cells in the damaged muscle treated with SNP comparing to untreatment. As well, SNP treatment down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of muscle autoantigens, TLR3, and mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, MCP-3, and MIP-1α in damaged muscle. On the contrary, L-NAME induced more severe intramuscular infiltration of inflammatory cells, and mRNA level elevation of the above inflammatory mediators. Notably, we observed an increased number of MHC-I (H2-K^b) positive new myofibers, and of the infiltrated CD8⁺ T cells in damaged muscle at the day 7 after L-NAME treatment. The result herein shows that, NO can act as an endogenous anti-inflammatory molecule during the ongoing muscle inflammation. Our finding may provide new insight to optimize NO-based therapies for improving muscle regeneration after myoinjury.