Differentiation capacities of skeletal muscle satellite cells in Lantang and Landrace piglets

Notch signaling leads to a slower progression of embryonic myogenic differentiation in Landrace than in Langtang pigs

Delving into porcine embryonic myogenesis is the key to elucidate the complex regulation of breed-specific differences in growth performance and meat production. Increasing evidence proves that pigs with less meat production show earlier embryonic myogenesis, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we examine the longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) by immunohistochemistry and confirm that the differentiation of myogenic progenitors is increased ( P<0.05) in Lantang (LT, fatty) pigs compared with that in Landrace (LR, lean) pigs, which results in more ( P<0.001) differentiated myoblasts (Pax7 ^-/MyoD ⁺) and less ( P<0.001) myogenic progenitors (Pax7 ⁺/MyoD ^-) in LT pigs at 35 days post-conception (35dpc). Additionally, embryonic myogenic progenitors isolated from LT pigs show greater ( P<0.001) differentiation capacity with earlier expression of MyoD compared with those from LR pigs. Moreover, Notch signaling is more active ( P<0.05) in LR pig myogenic progenitors than in LT pig myogenic progenitors. Inhibition of Notch signaling in LR myogenic progenitors suppresses Pax7 expression and increases MyoD expression, thus promoting myogenic differentiation. Consistently, the process of myogenic progenitors differentiating into myoblasts in ex vivo embryo limbs is accelerated when Notch signaling is inhibited. These results indicate that Notch signaling facilitates the maintenance of myogenic progenitors and antagonizes myogenic differentiation by promoting Pax7 expression and preventing MyoD expression in LR pigs.

ITGB6 inhibits the proliferation of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells

The formation of embryonic muscle fibers determines the amount of postnatal muscles and is regulated by a variety of signaling pathways and transcription factors. Previously, by using chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing and RNA-Seq techniques, we identified a large number of genes that are regulated by H3K27me3 in porcine embryonic skeletal muscles. Among these genes, we found that ITGB6 is regulated by H3K27me3. However, its function in muscle development is unknown. In this study, we first verified that ITGB6 was differentially regulated by H3K27me3 and that its expression levels were upregulated in porcine skeletal muscles at embryonic Days 33, 65, and 90. Then, we performed gain- or loss-of-function studies on porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells to study the role of ITGB6 in porcine skeletal muscle development. The proliferation of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells was studied through real-time polymerase chain reaction, Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine staining, Western blot, and flow cytometry analyses. We found that the ITGB6 gene was regulated by H3K27me3 during muscle development and had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells.

Effects and Molecular Mechanism of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of MEG3 on Porcine Skeletal Muscle Development

Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a long non-coding RNA that is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle development. Some single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutants in MEG3 had strong associations with meat quality traits. Nevertheless, the function and mechanism of MEG3 mutants on porcine skeletal muscle development have not yet been well-demonstrated. In this study, eight SNPs were identified in MEG3 of fat- and lean-type pig breeds. Four of these SNPs (g.3087C > T, g.3108C > T, g.3398C > T, and g.3971A > C) were significantly associated with meat quality and consisted of the CCCA haplotype for fat-type pigs and the TTCC haplotype for lean-type pigs. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the expression of MEG3-TTCC was higher than that of MEG3-CCCA in transcription level (P < 0.01). The stability assay showed that the lncRNA stability of MEG3-TTCC was lower than that of MEG3-CCCA (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the results of qRT-PCR, Western blot, and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays demonstrated that the overexpression of MEG3-TTCC more significantly inhibited the proliferation of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SCs) than that of MEG3-CCCA (P < 0.05). Moreover, the overexpression of MEG3-TTCC more significantly promoted the differentiation of SCs than that of MEG3-CCCA (P < 0.05). The Western blot assay suggested that the overexpression of MEG3-TTCC and MEG3-CCCA inhibited the proliferation of SCs by inhibiting PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways. The overexpression of the two haplotypes also promoted the differentiation of SCs by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in different degrees. These data are valuable for further studies on understanding the crucial role of lncRNAs in skeletal muscle development.

mTORC1-Mediated Satellite Cell Differentiation Is Required for Lysine-Induced Skeletal Muscle Growth

Skeletal muscle is the primary source of protein for humans. However, the mechanisms of skeletal muscle growth, such as nutrition control, remain unknown. Moreover, the function of lysine (Lys) in controling skeletal muscle growth has gradually demonstrated that Lys is not only substantial for protein synthesis but also a signaling molecule for satellite cell (SC) activation. In the current work, the number of differentiated SCs in the longissimus thoracis muscle and the fusion index of SCs were both governed by Lys supplementation. Meanwhile, the myogenic regulatory factors and the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway showed the same tendencies of changes as the differentiation of SCs. After Lys was resupplemented with rapamycin, the mTORC1 pathway was inhibited and the differentiation ability of SCs was suppressed. Collectively, the results showed that the mTORC1-pathway-mediated SC differentiation was required for Lys-promoted skeletal muscle growth.

Lysine inhibits apoptosis in satellite cells to govern skeletal muscle growth via the JAK2-STAT3 pathway

Apoptosis is programmed cell death that can be stimulated by external stress or nutrition restrictions. However, the precise mechanism of apoptosis in skeletal muscle remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate whether apoptosis could be regulated by lysine (Lys) supplementation and the potential mechanism. In this study, an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) proteomics analysis of the longissimus dorsi muscle from piglets showed that the Janus family tyrosine kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway was involved in Lys deficiency-induced apoptosis and inhibited skeletal muscle growth. Meanwhile, western blotting results demonstrated that Lys deficiency led to apoptosis in the longissimus dorsi muscle with the JAK2-STAT3 pathway inhibition. Interestingly, apoptosis was suppressed, and the JAK2-STAT3 pathway was reactivated after Lys re-supplementation. In addition, the results showed that Lys deficiency-induced apoptosis in satellite cells (SCs) was mediated by the JAK2-STAT3 pathway inhibition. Moreover, the JAK2-STAT3 pathway was reactivated by Lys re-supplementation and suppressed cell apoptosis, and this effect was inhibited after treatment with Tyrphostin B42 (AG 490). In conclusion, we found that Lys inhibits apoptosis in SCs to govern skeletal muscle growth via the JAK2-STAT3 pathway.

Lysine-induced swine satellite cell migration is mediated by the FAK pathway

Lysine (Lys) is an essential amino acid for mammals in promoting protein synthesis and skeletal muscle growth. However, the underlying mechanism by which Lys governs muscle growth remains unknown. Lys is not only a material for protein synthesis but also a signaling molecule. Cell migration is a fundamental process for satellite cells (SCs) to promote muscle fiber hypertrophy and thus increase muscle mass. Nevertheless, the communication between Lys and SC has not yet attracted sufficient attention. In this study, we investigated whether Lys directly stimulates SC migration and whether this effect is mediated via the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pathway. The results of a cell wound-healing assay and transwell assays indicated a significant inhibition of migration ability by Lys deficiency. In addition, the phosphorylation of FAK, paxillin and protein kinase B (Akt) was significantly suppressed, as were the level of integrin β3. Fortunately, we found that increasing Lys levels from deficiency to sufficiency rescued the migration ability to the control level. Moreover, compared with those in the Lys-deficiency group, the proteins in the FAK pathways were reactivated in the Lys-resupplementation group. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the FAK pathway mediates Lys-induced SC migration.

Effects of trypsinization and of a combined trypsin, collagenase, and DNase digestion on liberation and in vitro function of satellite cells isolated from juvenile porcine muscles

Muscle stem cells, termed satellite cells (SC), and SC-derived myogenic progenitor cells (MPC) are involved in postnatal muscle growth, regeneration, and muscle adaptability. They can be released from their natural environment by mechanical disruption and tissue digestion. The literature contains several isolation protocols for porcine SC/MPC including various digestion procedures, but comparative studies are missing. In this report, classic trypsinization and a more complex trypsin, collagenase, and DNase (TCD) digestion were performed with skeletal muscle tissue from 4- to 5-d-old piglets. The two digestion procedures were compared regarding cell yield, viability, myogenic purity, and in vitro cell function. The TCD digestion tended to result in higher cell yields than digestion with solely trypsin (statistical trend p = 0.096), whereas cell size and viability did not differ. Isolated myogenic cells from both digestion procedures showed comparable proliferation rates, expressed the myogenic marker Desmin, and initiated myogenic differentiation in vitro at similar levels. Thus, TCD digestion tended to liberate slightly more cells without changes in the tested in vitro properties of the isolated cells. Both procedures are adequate for the isolation of SC/MPC from juvenile porcine muscles but the developmental state of the animal should always be considered.

Influence of physical exercise on microRNAs in skeletal muscle regeneration, aging and diseases

Skeletal muscle is a dynamic tissue with remarkable plasticity and its growth and regeneration are highly organized, with the activation of specific transcription factors, proliferative pathways and cytokines. The decline of skeletal muscle tissue with age, is one of the most important causes of functional loss of independence in older adults. Maintaining skeletal muscle function throughout the lifespan is a prerequisite for good health and independent living.

Physical activity represents one of the most effective preventive agents for muscle decay in aging.

Several studies have underlined the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the control of myogenesis and of skeletal muscle regeneration and function.

In this review, we reported an overview and recent advances about the role of miRNAs expressed in the skeletal muscle, miRNAs regulation by exercise in skeletal muscle, the consequences of different physical exercise training modalities in the skeletal muscle miRNA profile, their regulation under pathological conditions and the role of miRNAs in age-related muscle wasting.

Specific miRNAs appear to be involved in response to different types of exercise and therefore to play an important role in muscle fiber identity and myofiber gene expression in adults and elder population.

Understanding the roles and regulation of skeletal muscle miRNAs during muscle regeneration may result in new therapeutic approaches in aging or diseases with impaired muscle function or re-growth.