bims-moremu Biomed News
on Molecular regulators of muscle mass
Issue of 2022–04–10
forty-five papers selected by
Anna Vainshtein, Craft Science Inc.
  1. An Evidence-based Narrative Review of Mechanisms of Resistance Exercise-induced Human Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy.
  2. Regulation of the myoblast fusion reaction for muscle development, regeneration, and adaptations.
  3. Cross Talk opposing view: Myonuclei do not undergo apoptosis during skeletal muscle atrophy.
  4. Mitochondrial-derived vesicles in skeletal muscle remodeling and adaptation.
  5. Mechano-signaling via Piezo1 prevents activation and p53-mediated senescence of muscle stem cells.
  6. Sirt6 reprograms myofibers to oxidative type through CREB-dependent Sox6 suppression.
  7. The Mitochondria-Targeting Agent MitoQ Improves Muscle Atrophy, Weakness and Oxidative Metabolism in C26 Tumor-Bearing Mice.
  8. Muscle is a stage, and cells and factors are merely players.
  9. Myogenesis controlled by a long non-coding RNA 1700113A16RIK and post-transcriptional regulation.
  10. Urocortin 2 promotes hypertrophy and enhances skeletal muscle function through cAMP and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways.
  11. Activation of the ATX/LPA/LPARs axis induces a fibrotic response in skeletal muscle.
  12. The Protective Effects of γ-Tocotrienol on Muscle Stem Cells Through Inhibiting Reactive Oxidative Stress Production.
  13. Localized TPC1-mediated Ca2+ release from endolysosomes contributes to myoseptal junction development in zebrafish.
  14. Transplantation of human iPSC-derived muscle stem cells in the diaphragm of Duchenne muscular dystrophy model mice.
  15. Expression and Roles of Lynx1, a Modulator of Cholinergic Transmission, in Skeletal Muscles and Neuromuscular Junctions in Mice.
  16. Disrupting AMPK-Glycogen Binding in Mice Increases Carbohydrate Utilization and Reduces Exercise Capacity.
  17. Integrative molecular roadmap for direct conversion of fibroblasts into myocytes and myogenic progenitor cells.
  18. GDF-15 in tumor-derived exosomes promotes muscle atrophy via Bcl-2/caspase-3 pathway.
  19. Cross Talk proposal: Myonuclei are lost with ageing and atrophy.
  20. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic progenitors undergo maturation to quiescent satellite cells upon engraftment.
  21. Neutrophil and natural killer cell imbalances prevent muscle stem cell-mediated regeneration following murine volumetric muscle loss.
  22. Cross Talk rebuttal: Schwartz and Gundersen.
  23. Involvement of Parkin-mediated mitophagy in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related sarcopenia.
  24. The benefits of physical activity on neuromuscular structure and function in old age.
  25. Acute cold stress induces transient MuRF1 upregulation in the skeletal muscle of zebrafish.
  26. Distribution Heterogeneity of Muscle Spindles Across Skeletal Muscles of Lower Extremities in C57BL/6 Mice.
  27. The Impact of CB1 Receptor on Nuclear Receptors in Skeletal Muscle Cells.
  28. Exercise, healthy ageing, and the potential role of small extracellular vesicles.
  29. The peak force - resting membrane potential relationships of mouse fast- and slow-twitch muscle.
  30. Novel integrated workflow allows production and in-depth quality assessment of multifactorial reprogrammed skeletal muscle cells from human stem cells.
  31. Internalization of Muscle-Specific Kinase Is Increased by Agrin and Independent of Kinase-Activity, Lrp4 and Dynamin.
  32. Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids and Exercise Training: Breaking the Myths and Dealing With Better Outcome in Sarcopenia.
  33. Disruption of hyaluronic acid in skeletal muscle induces decreased voluntary activity via chemosensitive muscle afferent sensitization in male mice.
  34. Cross Talk rebuttal: Kirby and Dupont-Versteegden.
  35. Sarcopenia definition: does it really matter? Implications for resistance training?
  36. Alterations in Muscle Force Control With Aging: Is There a Modulatory Effect of Lifelong Physical Activity?
  37. Effects of Exercise Training on PPARβ/δ Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Rats with Spontaneous Hypertension.
  38. Chemotherapy impairs skeletal muscle mitochondrial homeostasis in early breast cancer patients.
  39. Longitudinal associations between blood lysophosphatidylcholines and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function.
  40. The Effect Of Methocarbamol And Mexiletine On Murine Muscle Spindle Function.
  41. Synergistic Effects of Multiple Factors Involved in COVID-19-dependent Muscle Loss.
  42. Multiple LEDT wavelengths modulate the Akt signaling pathways and attenuate pathological events in mdx dystrophic muscle cells.
  43. Incretin-induced changes in the transcriptome of skeletal muscles of fa/fa Zucker rat (ZFR) with obesity, without diabetes.
  44. From fibre to function: are we accurately representing muscle architecture and performance?
  45. Treatment with cardiosphere-derived cells could slow progress of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
  1. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 Apr 06.
    An Evidence-based Narrative Review of Mechanisms of Resistance Exercise-induced Human Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy.
    Changhyun Lim, Everson A Nunes, Brad S Currier, Jonathan C Mcleod, Aaron C Q Thomas, Stuart M Phillips.
       ABSTRACT: Skeletal muscle plays a critical role in physical function and metabolic health. Muscle is a highly adaptable tissue that responds to resistance exercise (RE; loading) by hypertrophying or, during muscle disuse, RE mitigates muscle loss. Resistance exercise training (RET)-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy is a product of external (e.g., resistance exercise programming, diet, some supplements) and internal variables (e.g., mechano-transduction, ribosomes, gene expression, satellite cells activity). Resistance exercise is undeniably the most potent non-pharmacological external variable to stimulate the activation/suppression of internal variables linked to muscular hypertrophy or countering disuse-induced muscle loss. Here, we posit that despite considerable research on the impact of external variables on RET and hypertrophy, internal variables (i.e., inherent skeletal muscle biology) are dominant in regulating the extent of hypertrophy in response to external stimuli. Thus, identifying the key internal skeletal muscle-derived variables that mediate the translation of external resistance exercise variables will be pivotal to determining the most effective strategies for skeletal muscle hypertrophy in healthy persons. Such work will aid in enhancing function in clinical populations, slowing functional decline, and promoting physical mobility. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based perspectives of the mechanisms regulating RET-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002929
  2. Exp Cell Res. 2022 Mar 31. pii: S0014-4827(22)00127-6. [Epub ahead of print]415(2): 113134
    Regulation of the myoblast fusion reaction for muscle development, regeneration, and adaptations.
    Douglas P Millay.
      Fusion of plasma membranes is essential for skeletal muscle development, regeneration, exercise-induced adaptations, and results in a cell that contains hundreds to thousands of nuclei within a shared cytoplasm. The differentiation process in myocytes culminates in their fusion to form a new myofiber or fusion to an existing myofiber thereby contributing more synthetic material to the syncytium. The choice for two cells to fuse and become one could be a dangerous event if the two cells are not committed to an allied function. Thus, fusion events are highly regulated with positive and negative factors to fine-tune the process, and requires muscle-specific fusogens (Myomaker and Myomerger) as well as general cellular machinery to achieve the union of membranes. While a unified vertebrate myoblast fusion pathway is not yet established, recent discoveries should make this pursuit attainable. Not only does myocyte fusion impact the normal biology of skeletal muscle, but new evidence indicates dysregulation of the process impacts pathologies of skeletal muscle. Here, I will highlight the molecular players and biochemical mechanisms that drive fusion events in muscle, and discuss how this key myogenic process impacts skeletal muscle diseases.
    Keywords:  Muscle development; Myoblast fusion; Myomaker; Myomerger; Myomixer; Regeneration
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113134
  3. J Physiol. 2022 Apr 07.
    Cross Talk opposing view: Myonuclei do not undergo apoptosis during skeletal muscle atrophy.
    Lawrence M Schwartz, Kristian Gundersen.
      
    Keywords:  apoptosis; muscle atrophy; myonuclear domain; myonuclei; satellite cell
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1113/JP282381
  4. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2022 Mar 30. pii: S1084-9521(22)00095-7. [Epub ahead of print]
    Mitochondrial-derived vesicles in skeletal muscle remodeling and adaptation.
    Anna Picca, Flora Guerra, Riccardo Calvani, Roberta Romano, Hélio José Coelho-Junior, Cecilia Bucci, Christiaan Leeuwenburgh, Emanuele Marzetti.
      Mitochondrial remodeling is crucial to meet the bioenergetic demand to support muscle contractile activity during daily tasks and muscle regeneration following injury. A set of mitochondrial quality control (MQC) processes, including mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy, are in place to maintain a well-functioning mitochondrial network and support muscle regeneration. Alterations in any of these pathways compromises mitochondrial quality and may potentially lead to impaired myogenesis, defective muscle regeneration, and ultimately loss of muscle function. Among MQC processes, mitophagy has gained special attention for its implication in the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria via crosstalk with the endo-lysosomal system, a major cell degradative route. Along this pathway, additional opportunities for mitochondrial disposal have been identified that may also signal at the systemic level. This communication occurs via inclusion of mitochondrial components within membranous shuttles named mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs). Here, we discuss MDV generation and release as a mitophagy-complementing route for the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis in skeletal myocytes. We also illustrate the possible role of muscle-derived MDVs in immune signaling during muscle remodeling and adaptation.
    Keywords:  Extracellular vesicles; Mitochondrial DNA damage; Mitochondrial biogenesis; Mitochondrial quality control; Mitophagy; Skeletal muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.023
  5. Redox Biol. 2022 Apr 02. pii: S2213-2317(22)00081-7. [Epub ahead of print]52 102309
    Mechano-signaling via Piezo1 prevents activation and p53-mediated senescence of muscle stem cells.
    Yundong Peng, Jingjing Du, Stefan Günther, Xinyue Guo, Shengpeng Wang, Andre Schneider, Li Zhu, Thomas Braun.
      Skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs), also called satellite cells, are instrumental for postnatal muscle growth and skeletal muscle regeneration. Numerous signaling cascades regulate the fate of MuSCs during muscle regeneration but the molecular mechanism by which MuSCs sense mechanical stimuli remain unclear. Here, we describe that Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel, keeps MuSCs in a quiescent state and prevents senescence. Absence of Piezo1 induces precocious activation of MuSCs, attenuates proliferation, and impairs differentiation, essentially abolishing efficient skeletal muscle regeneration and replenishment of the MuSC pool. Furthermore, we discovered that inactivation of Piezo1 results in compensatory up-regulation of T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, leading to increased Ca2+ influx, which strongly induces NOX4 expression via cPKC. Elevated NOX4 expression in Piezo1-deficient MuSCs increases ROS levels and DNA damage, causing P53-dependent cellular senescence and cell death. The importance of the P53/P21-axis for mediating Piezo1-dependent cellular defects was confirmed by pharmacological inhibition of P53 in Piezo1-deficient mice, which abrogates increased senescence of muscle cells and normalizes muscle regeneration. Our findings uncover an essential role of Piezo1-mediated mechano-signaling in MuSCs for maintaining quiescence and preventing senescence. Reduced mechano-signaling due to decreased physical activity during aging may contribute to the increase of senescent cells and the decline of MuSC numbers in geriatric mice and humans.
    Keywords:  Mechanosensing; Muscle stem cells; Senescence; Skeletal muscle regeneration; p53
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2022.102309
  6. Nat Commun. 2022 Apr 04. 13(1): 1808
    Sirt6 reprograms myofibers to oxidative type through CREB-dependent Sox6 suppression.
    Mi-Young Song, Chang Yeob Han, Young Jae Moon, Ju Hyung Lee, Eun Ju Bae, Byung-Hyun Park.
      Expanding the exercise capacity of skeletal muscle is an emerging strategy to combat obesity-related metabolic diseases and this can be achieved by shifting skeletal muscle fibers toward slow-twitch oxidative type. Here, we report that Sirt6, an anti-aging histone deacetylase, is critical in regulating myofiber configuration toward oxidative type and that Sirt6 activator can be an exercise mimetic. Genetic inactivation of Sirt6 in skeletal muscle reduced while its transgenic overexpression increased mitochondrial oxidative capacity and exercise performance in mice. Mechanistically, we show that Sirt6 downregulated Sox6, a key repressor of slow fiber specific gene, by increasing the transcription of CREB. Sirt6 expression is elevated in chronically exercised humans, and mice treated with an activator of Sirt6 showed an increase in exercise endurance as compared to exercise-trained controls. Thus, the current study identifies Sirt6 as a molecular target for reprogramming myofiber composition toward the oxidative type and for improving muscle performance.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29472-5
  7. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022 ;10 861622
    The Mitochondria-Targeting Agent MitoQ Improves Muscle Atrophy, Weakness and Oxidative Metabolism in C26 Tumor-Bearing Mice.
    Fabrizio Pin, Joshua R Huot, Andrea Bonetto.
      Cancer cachexia is a debilitating syndrome characterized by skeletal muscle wasting, weakness and fatigue. Several pathogenetic mechanisms can contribute to these muscle derangements. Mitochondrial alterations, altered metabolism and increased oxidative stress are known to promote muscle weakness and muscle catabolism. To the extent of improving cachexia, several drugs have been tested to stimulate mitochondrial function and normalize the redox balance. The aim of this study was to test the potential beneficial anti-cachectic effects of Mitoquinone Q (MitoQ), one of the most widely-used mitochondria-targeting antioxidant. Here we show that MitoQ administration (25 mg/kg in drinking water, daily) in vivo was able to improve body weight loss in Colon-26 (C26) bearers, without affecting tumor size. Consistently, the C26 hosts displayed ameliorated skeletal muscle and strength upon treatment with MitoQ. In line with improved skeletal muscle mass, the treatment with MitoQ was able to partially correct the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligases Atrogin-1 and Murf1. Contrarily, the anabolic signaling was not improved by the treatment, as showed by unchanged AKT, mTOR and 4EBP1 phosphorylation. Assessment of gene expression showed altered levels of markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and homeostasis in the tumor hosts, although only Mitofusin-2 levels were significantly affected by the treatment. Interestingly, the levels of Pdk4 and CytB, genes involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function and metabolism, were also partially increased by MitoQ, in line with the modulation of hexokinase (HK), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzymatic activities. The improvement of the oxidative metabolism was associated with reduced myosteatosis (i.e., intramuscular fat infiltration) in the C26 bearers receiving MitoQ, despite unchanged muscle LDL receptor expression, therefore suggesting that MitoQ could boost β-oxidation in the muscle tissue and promote a glycolytic-to-oxidative shift in muscle metabolism and fiber composition. Overall, our data identify MitoQ as an effective treatment to improve skeletal muscle mass and function in tumor hosts and further support studies aimed at testing the anti-cachectic properties of mitochondria-targeting antioxidants also in combination with routinely administered chemotherapy agents.
    Keywords:  MitoQ; cachexia; cancer; metabolism; mitochondria; muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.861622
  8. Trends Cell Biol. 2022 Apr 01. pii: S0962-8924(22)00061-7. [Epub ahead of print]
    Muscle is a stage, and cells and factors are merely players.
    William Roman, Pura Muñoz-Cánoves.
      The incredible ability of satellite cells to regenerate muscle has captivated much of the research field's attention over the past decades. Versatile, enigmatic, vigorous, and skillful, the satellite cell is the optimal actor to cast in a regenerative epic, grabbing contracts and making headlines. However, the scenarios that play out during normal muscle usage, such as during exercise and aging, diverge from the experimental setup staged to spotlight satellite cells. Recent studies examining myofibers have highlighted novel attributes, including a capacity for self-repair. We discuss here the distinctions between myofiber self-repair and satellite-cell-dependent regeneration and how they may cooperate to repair damage after exercise, in myopathies, and in aging.
    Keywords:  aging; exercise; regeneration; skeletal muscle; stem cells
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2022.03.001
  9. Cell Regen. 2022 Apr 03. 11(1): 13
    Myogenesis controlled by a long non-coding RNA 1700113A16RIK and post-transcriptional regulation.
    Xin Fu, Sheng Li, Minzhi Jia, Bo Xu, Lele Yang, Ruimiao Ma, Hong Cheng, Wenjun Yang, Ping Hu.
      Long non-coding (lnc) RNA plays important roles in many cellular processes. The function of the vast majority of lncRNAs remains unknown. Here we identified that lncRNA-1700113A16RIK existed in skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) and was significantly elevated during MuSC differentiation. Knockdown of 1700113A16RIK inhibits the differentiation of muscle stem cells. In contrast, overexpression of 1700113A16RIK promotes the differentiation of muscle stem cells. Further study shows the muscle specific transcription factor Myogenin (MyoG) positively regulates the expression of 1700113A16RIK by binding to the promoter region of 1700113A16RIK. Mechanistically, 1700113A16RIK may regulate the expression of myogenic genes by directly binding to 3'UTR of an important myogenic transcription factor MEF2D, which in turn promotes the translation of MEF2D. Taken together, our results defined 1700113A16RIK as a positive regulator of MuSC differentiation and elucidated a mechanism as to how 1700113A16RIK regulated MuSC differentiation.
    Keywords:  1700113A16RIK; Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA); Muscle stem cell (MuSC) differentiation; Myocyte-specific enhancer binding factor 2 (MEF2D)
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13619-022-00114-x
  10. Mol Metab. 2022 Apr 04. pii: S2212-8778(22)00061-8. [Epub ahead of print] 101492
    Urocortin 2 promotes hypertrophy and enhances skeletal muscle function through cAMP and insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways.
    Natalia Lautherbach, Dawit A P Gonçalves, Wilian A Silveira, Sílvia Paula-Gomes, Rafael Rossi Valentim, Neuza M Zanon, Marcelo G Pereira, Elen H Miyabara, Luiz C C Navegantes, Isis C Kettelhut.
       OBJECTIVE: Although it is well established that urocortin 2 (Ucn2), a peptide member of the corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) family, and its specific corticotrophin-releasing factor 2 receptor (CRF2R) are highly expressed in skeletal muscle, the role of this peptide in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass and protein metabolism remains elusive.
    METHODS: To elucidate the mechanisms how Ucn2 directly controls protein metabolism in skeletal muscles of normal mice, we carried out genetic tools, physiological and molecular analyses of muscles in vivo and in vitro.
    RESULTS: Here, we demonstrated that Ucn2 overexpression activated cAMP signaling and promoted an expressive muscle hypertrophy associated with higher rates of protein synthesis and activation of Akt/mTOR and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Furthermore, Ucn2 induced a decrease in mRNA levels of atrogin-1 and in autophagic flux inferred by an increase in the protein content of LC3-I, LC3-II and p62. Accordingly, Ucn2 reduced both the transcriptional activity of FoxO in vivo and the overall protein degradation in vitro through an inhibition of lysosomal proteolytic activity. In addition, we demonstrated that Ucn2 induced a fast-to-slow fiber type shift and improved fatigue muscle resistance, an effect that was completely blocked in muscles co-transfected with mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1), but not with dominant-negative Akt mutant (Aktmt).
    CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that Ucn2 triggers an anabolic and anti-catabolic response in skeletal muscle of normal mice probably through the activation of cAMP cascade and participation of Akt and ERK1/2 signaling. These findings open new perspectives in the development of therapeutic strategies to cope with the loss of muscle mass.
    Keywords:  cAMP; fatigue resistance; hypertrophy; urocortin 2
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101492
  11. Matrix Biol. 2022 Apr 03. pii: S0945-053X(22)00048-8. [Epub ahead of print]
    Activation of the ATX/LPA/LPARs axis induces a fibrotic response in skeletal muscle.
    Adriana Córdova-Casanova, Meilyn Cruz-Soca, Jerold Chun, Juan Carlos Casar, Enrique Brandan.
      Several common chronic diseases, muscular dystrophies (MDs), and aging lead to progressive fibrous connective tissue (fibrosis) accumulation in skeletal muscle. Cumulative past evidence points to the role of signaling lipids such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and its receptors (LPARs) in different models of fibrosis. However, the potential contribution of these molecules to the fibrotic process in skeletal muscle has not been explored. Here, we show the expression of ATX/LPA/LPARs axis components in skeletal muscle, which suggests their potential relevance for the biology of this tissue. We investigated if the skeletal muscle responds to the stimulus of intramuscular (IM) LPA injections, finding an early induction of the pro-fibrotic factor connective tissue growth factor/Cellular Communication Network factor 2 (CCN2) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Also, we found that LPA induces an increase in the number of fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), which are the primary cellular source of myofibroblasts. These effects were for the most part prevented by the inhibitor Ki16425, which inhibits the LPA receptors LPA1 and LPA3, as well as in the LPA1-KO mice.  We also evaluated the in vivo activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK 1/2), AKT, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and YAP in response to LPA. Our results show that LPA induces ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in WT muscle, but not in LPA1-KO mice. Treatment with the ERK 1/2 inhibitor U0126 partially prevented the induction of fibronectin in response to LPA, suggesting that this pathway is involved in LPA-induced fibrosis. Altogether, these results demonstrate that ATX/LPA/LPARs constitute a pro-fibrotic axis and suggest a possible role in muscular diseases.
    Keywords:  Autotaxin; Fibrosis; LPARs; Lysophosphatidic acid; Muscular dystrophies
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2022.03.008
  12. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022 ;10 820520
    The Protective Effects of γ-Tocotrienol on Muscle Stem Cells Through Inhibiting Reactive Oxidative Stress Production.
    Shuo Yang, Juan Yang, Huiwen Zhao, Rong Deng, Hancheng Fan, Jinfu Zhang, Zihao Yang, Huihong Zeng, Bohai Kuang, Lijian Shao.
      Pseudotrophic muscular dystrophy is a common clinical skeletal muscle necrotic disease, among which Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the predominant. For such diseases, there is no clinically effective treatment, which is only symptomatic or palliative treatment. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are common pathological features of DMD. In recent years, it has been found that the pathophysiological changes of skeletal muscle in DMD mice are related to muscle stem cell failure. In the present study, we established a DMD mice model and provided tocotrienol (γ-tocotrienol, GT3), an antioxidant compound, to explore the relationship between the physiological state of muscle stem cells and oxidative stress. The results showed that the application of GT3 can reduce ROS production and cellular proliferation in the muscle stem cells of DMD mice, which is beneficial to promote the recovery of muscle stem cell function in DMD mice. GT3 treatment improved the differentiation ability of muscle stem cells in DMD mice with increasing numbers of MyoD+ cells. GT3 application significantly decreased percentages of CD45+ cells and PDGFRα+ fibro-adipogenic progenitors in the tibialis anterior of DMD mice, indicating that the increased inflammation and fibro-adipogenic progenitors were attenuated in GT3-treated DMD mice. These data suggest that increased ROS production causes dysfunctional muscle stem cell in DMD mice, which might provide a new avenue to treat DMD patients in the clinic.
    Keywords:  Duchenne muscular dystrophy; cellular proliferation; muscle stem cells; oxidative stress; γ-tocotrienol
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.820520
  13. J Cell Sci. 2022 Apr 08. pii: jcs.259564. [Epub ahead of print]
    Localized TPC1-mediated Ca2+ release from endolysosomes contributes to myoseptal junction development in zebrafish.
    Keira L Rice, Sarah E Webb, Andrew L Miller.
      In the trunk of developing zebrafish embryos, adjacent myotome blocks transmit contractile force via myoseptal junctions (MJs), dynamic structures that connect the actin cytoskeleton of skeletal muscle cells to extracellular matrix components via transmembrane protein complexes in the sarcolemma. Here, we report that the endolysosomal ion channel, two-pore channel type 1 (TPC1), generates highly localized, non-propagating Ca2+ transients that play a distinct and required role in the capture and attachment of superficial slow skeletal muscle cells (SMCs) at MJs. Use of antisense morpholinos or CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to disrupt tpcn1 gene expression resulted in abnormal MJ phenotypes including SMCs detaching from or crossing the myosepta. We also report that TPC1-decorated endolysosomes are dynamically associated with MJs in a microtubule-dependent manner, and that attenuating tpcn1 expression or function disrupted endolysosomal trafficking and resulted in an abnormal distribution of β-dystroglycan (a key transmembrane component of the dystrophin-associated protein complex). Together, our data suggest that localized TPC1-generated Ca2+ signals facilitate essential endolysosomal trafficking and membrane contact events, which help form and maintain MJs following the onset of SMC contractile activity.
    Keywords:  Ca2+ signaling; Endolysosomes; Myoseptal junctions; Skeletal slow muscle cells; Two-pore channel type 1; Zebrafish
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.259564
  14. PLoS One. 2022 ;17(4): e0266391
    Transplantation of human iPSC-derived muscle stem cells in the diaphragm of Duchenne muscular dystrophy model mice.
    Yasutomo Miura, Mase Sato, Toshie Kuwahara, Tomoki Ebata, Yasuhiko Tabata, Hidetoshi Sakurai.
      Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an intractable genetic muscular disorder characterized by the loss of DYSTROPHIN. The restoration of DYSTROPHIN is expected to be a curative therapy for DMD. Because muscle stem cells (MuSCs) can regenerate damaged myofibers with full-length DYSTROPHIN in vivo, their transplantation is being explored as such a therapy. As for the transplanted cells, primary satellite cells have been considered, but donor shortage limits their clinical application. We previously developed a protocol that differentiates induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to MuSCs (iMuSCs). To ameliorate the respiratory function of DMD patients, cell transplantation to the diaphragm is necessary but difficult, because the diaphragm is thin and rapidly moves. In the present study, we explored the transplantation of iMuSCs into the diaphragm. First, we show direct cell injection into the diaphragm of mouse was feasible. Then, to enhance the engraftment of the transplanted cells in a rapidly moving diaphragm, we mixed polymer solutions of hyaluronic acid, alginate and gelatin to the cell suspension, finding a solution of 20% dissolved hyaluronic acid and 80% dissolved gelatin improved the engraftment. Thus, we established a method for cell transplantation into mouse diaphragm and show that an injectable hyaluronic acid-gelatin solution enables the engraftment of iMuSCs in the diaphragm.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266391
  15. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022 ;10 838612
    Expression and Roles of Lynx1, a Modulator of Cholinergic Transmission, in Skeletal Muscles and Neuromuscular Junctions in Mice.
    Sydney V Doss, Sébastien Barbat-Artigas, Mikayla Lopes, Bhola Shankar Pradhan, Tomasz J Prószyński, Richard Robitaille, Gregorio Valdez.
      Lynx1 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein shown to affect synaptic plasticity through modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes in the brain. Because of this function and structural similarity to α-bungarotoxin, which binds muscle-specific nAChRs with high affinity, Lynx1 is a promising candidate for modulating nAChRs in skeletal muscles. However, little is known about the expression and roles of Lynx1 in skeletal muscles and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Here, we show that Lynx1 is expressed in skeletal muscles, increases during development, and concentrates at NMJs. We also demonstrate that Lynx1 interacts with muscle-specific nAChR subunits. Additionally, we present data indicating that Lynx1 deletion alters the response of skeletal muscles to cholinergic transmission and their contractile properties. Based on these findings, we asked if Lynx1 deletion affects developing and adult NMJs. Loss of Lynx1 had no effect on NMJs at postnatal day 9 (P9) and moderately increased their size at P21. Thus, Lynx1 plays a minor role in the structural development of NMJs. In 7- and 12-month-old mice lacking Lynx1, there is a marked increase in the incidence of NMJs with age- and disease-associated morphological alterations. The loss of Lynx1 also reduced the size of adult muscle fibers. Despite these effects, Lynx1 deletion did not alter the rate of NMJ reinnervation and stability following motor axon injury. These findings suggest that Lynx1 is not required during fast remodeling of the NMJ, as is the case during reformation following crushing of motor axons and development. Instead, these data indicate that the primary role of Lynx1 may be to maintain the structure and function of adult and aging NMJs.
    Keywords:  Lynx1; acetylcholine receptor; aging; cholinergic transmission; neuromuscular junction; skeletal muscle; synaptic plasticity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.838612
  16. Front Physiol. 2022 ;13 859246
    Disrupting AMPK-Glycogen Binding in Mice Increases Carbohydrate Utilization and Reduces Exercise Capacity.
    Natalie R Janzen, Jamie Whitfield, Lisa Murray-Segal, Bruce E Kemp, John A Hawley, Nolan J Hoffman.
      The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator of cellular energy balance and metabolism and binds glycogen, the primary storage form of glucose in liver and skeletal muscle. The effects of disrupting whole-body AMPK-glycogen interactions on exercise capacity and substrate utilization during exercise in vivo remain unknown. We used male whole-body AMPK double knock-in (DKI) mice with chronic disruption of AMPK-glycogen binding to determine the effects of DKI mutation on exercise capacity, patterns of whole-body substrate utilization, and tissue metabolism during exercise. Maximal treadmill running speed and whole-body energy utilization during submaximal running were determined in wild type (WT) and DKI mice. Liver and skeletal muscle glycogen and skeletal muscle AMPK α and β2 subunit content and signaling were assessed in rested and maximally exercised WT and DKI mice. Despite a reduced maximal running speed and exercise time, DKI mice utilized similar absolute amounts of liver and skeletal muscle glycogen compared to WT. DKI skeletal muscle displayed reduced AMPK α and β2 content versus WT, but intact relative AMPK phosphorylation and downstream signaling at rest and following exercise. During submaximal running, DKI mice displayed an increased respiratory exchange ratio, indicative of greater reliance on carbohydrate-based fuels. In summary, whole-body disruption of AMPK-glycogen interactions reduces maximal running capacity and skeletal muscle AMPK α and β2 content and is associated with increased skeletal muscle glycogen utilization. These findings highlight potential unappreciated roles for AMPK in regulating tissue glycogen dynamics and expand AMPK's known roles in exercise and metabolism.
    Keywords:  AMP-activated protein kinase; carbohydrate binding module; energy utilization; exercise; glycogen; metabolism; skeletal muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.859246
  17. Sci Adv. 2022 Apr 08. 8(14): eabj4928
    Integrative molecular roadmap for direct conversion of fibroblasts into myocytes and myogenic progenitor cells.
    Inseon Kim, Adhideb Ghosh, Nicola Bundschuh, Laura Hinte, Eduard Petrosyan, Ferdinand von Meyenn, Ori Bar-Nur.
      Transient MyoD overexpression in concert with small molecule treatment reprograms mouse fibroblasts into induced myogenic progenitor cells (iMPCs). However, the molecular landscape and mechanisms orchestrating this cellular conversion remain unknown. Here, we undertook an integrative multiomics approach to delineate the process of iMPC reprogramming in comparison to myogenic transdifferentiation mediated solely by MyoD. Using transcriptomics, proteomics, and genome-wide chromatin accessibility assays, we unravel distinct molecular trajectories that govern the two processes. Notably, only iMPC reprogramming is characterized by gradual up-regulation of muscle stem cell markers, unique signaling pathways, and chromatin remodelers in conjunction with exclusive chromatin opening in core myogenic promoters. In addition, we determine that the Notch pathway is indispensable for iMPC formation and self-renewal and further use the Notch ligand Dll1 to homogeneously propagate iMPCs. Collectively, this study charts divergent molecular blueprints for myogenic transdifferentiation or reprogramming and underpins the heightened capacity of iMPCs for capturing myogenesis ex vivo.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abj4928
  18. Cell Death Discov. 2022 Apr 04. 8(1): 162
    GDF-15 in tumor-derived exosomes promotes muscle atrophy via Bcl-2/caspase-3 pathway.
    Wanli Zhang, Weikuan Sun, Xiaofan Gu, Chunxiao Miao, Lixing Feng, Qiang Shen, Xuan Liu, Xiongwen Zhang.
      Tumor-derived exosomes are emerging mediators of cancer cachexia, a kind of multifactorial syndrome characterized by serious loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. Our previous study had showed that microRNAs in exosomes of C26 colon tumor cells were involved in induction of muscle atrophy. Here, we focus on studying proteins in tumor-derived exosomes which might also contribute to the development of cancer cachexia. Results of comparing the protein profiles of cachexic C26 exosomes and non-cachexic MC38 exosomes suggested that growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) was rich in C26 exosomes. Western blotting analysis confirmed the higher levels of GDF-15 in C26 cells and C26 exosomes, compared with that of MC38 cells. Results of animal study also showed that GDF-15 was rich in tumor tissues, serum exosomes, and gastrocnemius (GA) muscle tissues of C26 tumor-bearing mice. GDF-15 protein could directly induce muscle atrophy of cultured C2C12 myotubes via regulating Bcl-2/caspase-3 pathways. What's more, overexpression of GDF-15 in MC38 cells could increase the potency of MC38 conditioned medium or exosomes in inducing muscle atrophy. Knockdown of GDF-15 in C26 cells decreased the potency of C26 conditioned medium or exosomes in inducing muscle atrophy. These results suggested that GDF-15 in tumor-derived exosomes could contribute to induction of muscle atrophy and also supported the possibility of targeting GDF-15 in treatment of cancer cachexia.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-022-00972-z
  19. J Physiol. 2022 Apr 07.
    Cross Talk proposal: Myonuclei are lost with ageing and atrophy.
    Tyler J Kirby, Esther E Dupont-Versteegden.
      
    Keywords:  ageing; apoptosis; myonuclei; skeletal muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1113/JP282380
  20. Cell Stem Cell. 2022 Apr 07. pii: S1934-5909(22)00102-3. [Epub ahead of print]29(4): 610-619.e5
    Human pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic progenitors undergo maturation to quiescent satellite cells upon engraftment.
    Congshan Sun, Suraj Kannan, In Young Choi, HoTae Lim, Hao Zhang, Grace S Chen, Nancy Zhang, Seong-Hyun Park, Carlo Serra, Shama R Iyer, Thomas E Lloyd, Chulan Kwon, Richard M Lovering, Su Bin Lim, Peter Andersen, Kathryn R Wagner, Gabsang Lee.
      Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived myogenic progenitor cell (MPC) transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for a variety of degenerative muscle disorders. Here, using an MPC-specific fluorescent reporter system (PAX7::GFP), we demonstrate that hPSC-derived MPCs can contribute to the regeneration of myofibers in mice following local injury and in mice deficient of dystrophin (mdx). We also demonstrate that a subset of PAX7::GFP MPCs engraft within the basal lamina of regenerated myofibers, adopt a quiescent state, and contribute to regeneration upon reinjury and in mdx mouse models. This subset of PAX7::GFP MPCs undergo a maturation process and remodel their molecular characteristics to resemble those of late-stage fetal MPCs/adult satellite cells following in vivo engraftment. These in-vivo-matured PAX7::GFP MPCs retain a cell-autonomous ability to regenerate and can repopulate in the niche of secondary recipient mice, providing a proof of principle for future hPSC-based cell therapy for muscle disorders.
    Keywords:  Duchenne muscular dystrophy; mdx mouse; pluripotent stem cells; quiescent stem cells; skeletal muscle stem cells
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2022.03.004
  21. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Apr 12. 119(15): e2111445119
    Neutrophil and natural killer cell imbalances prevent muscle stem cell-mediated regeneration following murine volumetric muscle loss.
    Jacqueline A Larouche, Paula M Fraczek, Sarah J Kurpiers, Benjamin A Yang, Carol Davis, Jesus A Castor-Macias, Kaitlyn Sabin, Shannon Anderson, Julia Harrer, Matthew Hall, Susan V Brooks, Young C Jang, Nick Willett, Lonnie D Shea, Carlos A Aguilar.
      Significance Skeletal muscle is one of the largest tissues in the body and can regenerate when damaged through a population of resident muscle stem cells. A type of muscle trauma called volumetric muscle loss overwhelms the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells and engenders fibrotic supplantation. A comparison of muscle injuries resulting in regeneration or fibrosis revealed that intercellular communication between neutrophils and natural killer cells impacts muscle stem cell-mediated repair. Perturbation of neutrophil-natural killer cell interactions resulted in a variation of healing outcomes and suggested that immunomodulatory interventions can be effective to prevent aberrant healing outcomes.
    Keywords:  inflammation; muscle stem cells; single-cell RNA sequencing; skeletal muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2111445119
  22. J Physiol. 2022 Apr 07.
    Cross Talk rebuttal: Schwartz and Gundersen.
    Lawrence Schwartz, Kristian Gundersen.
      
    Keywords:  apoptosis; muscle atrophy; myonuclear domain; myonuclei; satellite cell
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1113/JP283001
  23. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2022 Apr 03.
    Involvement of Parkin-mediated mitophagy in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related sarcopenia.
    Akihiko Ito, Mitsuo Hashimoto, Jun Tanihata, Sachi Matsubayashi, Ryoko Sasaki, Shota Fujimoto, Hironori Kawamoto, Yusuke Hosaka, Akihiro Ichikawa, Tsukasa Kadota, Yu Fujita, Daisuke Takekoshi, Sabro Ito, Shunsuke Minagawa, Takanori Numata, Hiromichi Hara, Tatsuki Matsuoka, Jun Udaka, Jun Araya, Mitsuru Saito, Kazuyoshi Kuwano.
       BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength and is associated with poor prognosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure, a major cause for COPD, induces mitochondrial damage, which has been implicated in sarcopenia pathogenesis. The current study sought to examine the involvement of insufficient Parkin-mediated mitophagy, a mitochondrion-selective autophagy, in the mechanisms by which dysfunctional mitochondria accumulate with excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the development of COPD-related sarcopenia.
    METHODS: The involvement of Parkin-mediated mitophagy was examined using in vitro models of myotube formation, in vivo CS-exposure model using Parkin-/- mice, and human muscle samples from patients with COPD-related sarcopenia.
    RESULTS: Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induced myotube atrophy with concomitant 30% reduction in Parkin expression levels (P < 0.05). Parkin-mediated mitophagy regulated myotube atrophy by modulating mitochondrial damage and mitochondrial ROS production. Increased mitochondrial ROS was responsible for myotube atrophy by activating Muscle Ring Finger 1 (MuRF-1)-mediated myosin heavy chain (MHC) degradation. Parkin-/- mice with prolonged CS exposure showed enhanced limb muscle atrophy with a 31.7% reduction in limb muscle weights (P < 0.01) and 2.3 times greater MuRF-1 expression (P < 0.01) compared with wild-type mice with concomitant accumulation of damaged mitochondria and oxidative modifications in 4HNE expression. Patients with COPD-related sarcopenia exhibited significantly reduced Parkin but increased MuRF-1 protein levels (35% lower and 2.5 times greater protein levels compared with control patients, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) and damaged mitochondria accumulation demonstrated in muscles. Electric pulse stimulation-induced muscle contraction prevented CSE-induced MHC reduction by maintaining Parkin levels in myotubes.
    CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, COPD-related sarcopenia can be attributed to insufficient Parkin-mediated mitophagy and increased mitochondrial ROS causing enhanced muscle atrophy through MuRF-1 activation, which may be at least partly preventable through optimal physical exercise.
    Keywords:  COPD; Cigarette smoke; Muscle atrophy; Muscle contraction; Parkin
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12988
  24. J Physiol. 2022 Apr 08.
    The benefits of physical activity on neuromuscular structure and function in old age.
    Steven J O'Bryan, Danielle Hiam.
      
    Keywords:  ageing; exercise; motor unit; muscle physiology
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1113/JP283102
  25. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2022 Mar 19. pii: S0006-291X(22)00432-6. [Epub ahead of print]608 59-65
    Acute cold stress induces transient MuRF1 upregulation in the skeletal muscle of zebrafish.
    Shinsuke Tamai, Shin-Ichiro Fujita, Ritsuko Komine, Yasuharu Kanki, Kai Aoki, Koichi Watanabe, Kazuhiro Takekoshi, Takehito Sugasawa.
      Cryotherapy is one of the most common treatments for trauma or fatigue in the field of sports medicine. However, the molecular biological effects of acute cold exposure on skeletal muscle remain unclear. Therefore, we used zebrafish, which have recently been utilized as an animal model for skeletal muscle, to comprehensively investigate and selectively clarify the time-course changes induced by cryotherapy. Zebrafish were exposed intermittently to cold stimulation three times for 15 min each. Thereafter, skeletal muscle samples were collected after 15 min and 1, 2, 4, and 6 h. mRNA sequencing revealed the involvement of trim63a, fbxo32, fbxo30a, and klhl38b in "protein ubiquitination" from the top 10 most upregulated genes. Subsequently, we examined the time-course changes of the four genes by quantitative PCR, and their expression peaked 2 h after cryotherapy and returned to baseline after 6 h. Moreover, the proteins encoded by trim63a and fbxo32 (muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 [MuRF1] and muscle atrophy F-box, respectively), which are known to be major genes encoding E3 ubiquitin ligases, were examined by western blotting, and MuRF1 expression displayed similar temporal changes as trim63a expression. These findings suggest that acute cold exposure transiently upregulates E3 ubiquitin ligases, especially MuRF1; thus, cryotherapy may contribute to the treatment of trauma or fatigue by promoting protein processing.
    Keywords:  Cold stress; Cryotherapy; Skeletal muscle; Temperature; Zebrafish; mRNA sequencing
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.093
  26. Front Neuroanat. 2022 ;16 838951
    Distribution Heterogeneity of Muscle Spindles Across Skeletal Muscles of Lower Extremities in C57BL/6 Mice.
    Wenxi Lian, Fei Hao, Peng Hao, Wen Zhao, Yudan Gao, Jia-Sheng Rao, Hongmei Duan, Zhaoyang Yang, Xiaoguang Li.
      Muscle spindles, an important proprioceptor scattered in the skeletal muscle, participate in maintaining muscle tension and the fine regulation of random movement. Although muscle spindles exist in all skeletal muscles, explanations about the distribution and morphology of muscle spindles remain lacking for the indetermination of spindle location across muscles. In this study, traditional time-consuming histochemical technology was utilized to determine the muscle spindle anatomical and morphological characteristics in the lower extremity skeletal muscle in C57BL/6 mice. The relative distance from spindles to nerve-entry points varied from muscles in the ventral-dorsal direction, in which spindles in the lateral of gastrocnemius were not considered to be close to its nerve-entry point. In the longitudinal pattern, the domain with the highest abundance of spindles corresponded to the nerve-entry point, excluding the tibialis anterior. Spindles are mainly concentrated at the middle and rostral domain in all muscles. The results suggest a heterogeneity of the distribution of spindles in different muscles, but the distribution trend generally follows the location pattern of the nerve-entry point. Histochemical staining revealed that the spindle did not have a symmetrical structure along the equator, and this result does not agree with previous findings. Exploring the distribution and structural characteristics of muscle spindles in skeletal muscle can provide some anatomical basis for the study of muscle spindles at the molecular level and treatment of exercise-related diseases and provide a comprehensive understanding of muscle spindle morphology.
    Keywords:  dissymmetry; distribution; heterogeneity; intrafusal fibers; muscle spindle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2022.838951
  27. Pathophysiology. 2021 Oct 05. 28(4): 457-470
    The Impact of CB1 Receptor on Nuclear Receptors in Skeletal Muscle Cells.
    Mansour Haddad.
      Cannabinoids are abundant signaling compounds; their influence predominantly arises via engagement with the principal two G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. One suggested theory is that cannabinoids regulate a variety of physiological processes within the cells of skeletal muscle. Earlier publications have indicated that expression of CB1 receptor mRNA and protein has been recognized within myotubes and tissues of skeletal muscle from both murines and humans, thus representing a potentially significant pathway which plays a role in the control of skeletal muscular activities. The part played by CB1 receptor activation or inhibition with respect to these functions and relevant to targets in the periphery, especially skeletal muscle, is not fully delineated. Thus, the aim of the current research was to explore the influence of CB1 receptor stimulation and inhibition on downstream signaling of the nuclear receptor, NR4A, which regulates the immediate impacts of arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide (ACEA) and/or rimonabant in the cells of skeletal muscle. Murine L6 skeletal muscle cells were used in order to clarify additional possible molecular signaling pathways which contribute to alterations in the CB1 receptor. Skeletal muscle cells have often been used; it is well-documented that they express cannabinoid receptors. Quantitative real-time probe-based polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays are deployed in order to assess the gene expression characteristics of CB1 receptor signaling. In the current work, it is demonstrated that skeletal muscle cells exhibit functional expression of CB1 receptors. This can be deduced from the qRT-PCR assays; triggering CB1 receptors amplifies both NR4A1 and NR4A3 mRNA gene expression. The impact of ACEA is inhibited by the selective CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant. The present research demonstrated that 10 nM of ACEA notably amplified mRNA gene expression of NR4A1 and NR4A3; this effect was suppressed by the addition of 100 nM rimonabant. Furthermore, the CB1 receptor antagonist led to the downregulation of mRNA gene expression of NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3. In conclusion, in skeletal muscle, CB1 receptors were recognized to be important moderators of NR4A1 and NR4A3 mRNA gene expression; these actions may have possible clinical benefits. Thus, in skeletal muscle cells, a possible physiological expression of CB1 receptors was identified. It is as yet unknown whether these CB1 receptors contribute to pathways underlying skeletal muscle biological function and disease processes. Further research is required to fully delineate their role(s).
    Keywords:  ACEA; NR4A; cannabinoid CB1 receptors; rimonabant; skeletal muscle cells
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/pathophysiology28040029
  28. J Physiol. 2022 Apr 07.
    Exercise, healthy ageing, and the potential role of small extracellular vesicles.
    Luke C McIlvenna, Martin Whitham.
      Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be released from most cells in the body and act as intercellular messengers transferring information in their cargo to affect cellular function. A growing body of evidence suggests that a subset of EVs, referred to here as "small extracellular vesicles" (sEVs) can accelerate or slow the processes of ageing and age-related diseases dependent on their molecular cargo and cellular origin. Continued exploration of the vast complexity of sEV cargo aims to further characterise these systemic vehicles that may be targeted to ameliorate age-related pathologies. Marked progress in the development of mass spectrometry-based technologies mean it is now possible to characterise a significant proportion of the proteome of sEVs (surface and cargo) via unbiased proteomics. This information is vital for identifying biomarkers and the development of sEV-based therapeutics in the context of ageing. While exercise and physical activity are prominent features in maintaining health in advancing years, the mechanisms responsible are unclear. A potential mechanism by which plasma sEVs released during exercise could influence ageing and senescence is via the increased delivery of cargo proteins that function as antioxidant enzymes or inhibitors of senescence. These have been observed to increase in sEVs following acute and chronic exercise, as identified via independent interrogation of high coverage, publicly available proteomic datasets. Establishing tropism and exchange of functionally active proteins by these processes represents a promising line of enquiry in implicating sEVs as biologically relevant mediators of the ageing process. Abstract figure legend Summary of the role of Small extracellular vesicles in the regulation of cellular senescence and the role of exercise derived extracellular vesicles. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are known to play a role in a variety of physiological processes. Recently, they have been identified as potential regulators of paracrine senescence and sEVs from young animals or proliferative cells are capable of reversing/reducing senescence. However, the precise mechanism by which this occurs needs elucidating. As individuals age the accumulation of senescent cells increases, this is accompanied by increase in the senescent associated secretory phenotype and release of sEVs. Exercise is thought to act in a senolytic manner and be capable of preventing or reducing senescence. This subsequently may have implications for age-related pathologies and health span. sEVs may play a role in this process, with antioxidant enzymes and inhibitors of senescence being identified in the cargo of exercise derived sEVs. Created with BioRender.com This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Keywords:  cellular senescence; exercise; proteomics; secreted factors; small extracellular vesicles
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1113/JP282468
  29. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2022 Apr 06.
    The peak force - resting membrane potential relationships of mouse fast- and slow-twitch muscle.
    Simeon P Cairns, John P Leader, Amanda Higgins, Jean-Marc Renaud.
      We endeavored to understand the factors determining the peak force‑resting membrane potential (EM) relationships of isolated slow-twitch soleus and fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from mice (25oC), especially in relation to fatigue. Inter-relationships between intracellular K+‑activity (aK+i), extracellular K+‑concentration ([K+]o), resting EM, action potentials and force were studied. The large resting EM variation was mainly due to the variability of aK+i. Action potential overshoot‑resting EM relationships determined at 4 and 8-10mM[K+]o following short (<5min) and prolonged (>50min) depolarization periods revealed a constant overshoot from ‑90 to ‑70mV providing a safety margin. Overshoot decline with depolarization beyond ‑70mV was less following short than prolonged depolarization. Inexcitable fibers occurred only with prolonged depolarization. The overshoot decline during action potential trains (2‑s) exceeded that during short depolarizations. Concomitant lower extracellular [Na+] and raised [K+]o depressed the overshoot in an additive manner and peak force in a synergistic manner. Raised [K+]o-induced force loss was exacerbated with transverse wire versus parallel plate stimulation in soleus, implicating action potential propagation failure in the surface membrane. Increasing stimulus pulse parameters restored tetanic force at 9‑10mM[K+]o in soleus, but not EDL, indicative of action potential failure within trains. The peak tetanic force‑resting EM relationships (determined using resting EM from deeper rather than surface fibers) were dynamic and show pronounced force depression over ‑69 to ‑60mV in both muscle-types, implicating that such depolarization contributes to fatigue. The K+-Na+-interaction shifted this relationship towards less depolarized potentials suggesting that the combined ionic effect is physiologically important during fatigue.
    Keywords:  Potassium; action potential; fiber type; membrane potential; skeletal muscle fatigue
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00401.2021
  30. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2022 Apr 09. 79(5): 229
    Novel integrated workflow allows production and in-depth quality assessment of multifactorial reprogrammed skeletal muscle cells from human stem cells.
    Dinis Faustino, Heinrich Brinkmeier, Stella Logotheti, Anika Jonitz-Heincke, Hande Yilmaz, Isil Takan, Kirsten Peters, Rainer Bader, Hermann Lang, Athanasia Pavlopoulou, Brigitte M Pützer, Alf Spitschak.
      Skeletal muscle tissue engineering aims at generating biological substitutes that restore, maintain or improve normal muscle function; however, the quality of cells produced by current protocols remains insufficient. Here, we developed a multifactor-based protocol that combines adenovector (AdV)-mediated MYOD expression, small molecule inhibitor and growth factor treatment, and electrical pulse stimulation (EPS) to efficiently reprogram different types of human-derived multipotent stem cells into physiologically functional skeletal muscle cells (SMCs). The protocol was complemented through a novel in silico workflow that allows for in-depth estimation and potentially optimization of the quality of generated muscle tissue, based on the transcriptomes of transdifferentiated cells. We additionally patch-clamped phenotypic SMCs to associate their bioelectrical characteristics with their transcriptome reprogramming. Overall, we set up a comprehensive and dynamic approach at the nexus of viral vector-based technology, bioinformatics, and electrophysiology that facilitates production of high-quality skeletal muscle cells and can guide iterative cycles to improve myo-differentiation protocols.
    Keywords:  Adenovector-mediated MYOD expression; Electrical pulse stimulation; Multipotent stem cells; Myo-informatics; Myogenic differentiation; Skeletal muscle transcriptomics; Small molecules
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-022-04264-8
  31. Front Mol Neurosci. 2022 ;15 780659
    Internalization of Muscle-Specific Kinase Is Increased by Agrin and Independent of Kinase-Activity, Lrp4 and Dynamin.
    Anna Gemza, Cinzia Barresi, Jakob Proemer, Jasmin Hatami, Margarita Lazaridis, Ruth Herbst.
      Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase absolutely required for neuromuscular junction formation. MuSK is activated by binding of motor neuron-derived Agrin to low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 4 (Lrp4), which forms a complex with MuSK. MuSK activation and downstream signaling are critical events during the development of the neuromuscular junction. Receptor tyrosine kinases are commonly internalized upon ligand binding and crosstalk between endocytosis and signaling has been implicated. To extend our knowledge about endocytosis of synaptic proteins and its role during postsynaptic differentiation at the neuromuscular junction, we studied the stability and internalization of Lrp4, MuSK and acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in response to Agrin. We provide evidence that MuSK but not Lrp4 internalization is increased by Agrin stimulation. MuSK kinase-activity is not sufficient to induce MuSK internalization and the absence of Lrp4 has no effect on MuSK endocytosis. Moreover, MuSK internalization and signaling are unaffected by the inhibition of Dynamin suggesting that MuSK endocytosis uses a non-conventional pathway and is not required for MuSK-dependent downstream signaling.
    Keywords:  MuSK; endocytosis; neuromuscular junction; receptor tyrosine kinase; signal transduction; skeletal muscle
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2022.780659
  32. Front Physiol. 2022 ;13 838526
    Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids and Exercise Training: Breaking the Myths and Dealing With Better Outcome in Sarcopenia.
    Hugo Falqueto, Marcelo Rodrigues Dos Santos, Leandro H Manfredi.
      Sarcopenia is an emerging clinical condition determined by the reduction in physical function and muscle mass, being a health concern since it impairs quality of life and survival. Exercise training is a well-known approach to improve physical capacities and body composition, hence managing sarcopenia progression and worsening. However, it may be an ineffective treatment for many elderly with exercise-intolerant conditions. Thus, the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) may be a plausible strategy, since these drugs can increase physical function and muscle mass. The decision to initiate AAS treatment should be guided by an evidence-based patient-centric perspective, once the balance between risks and benefits may change depending on the clinical condition coexisting with sarcopenia. This mini-review points out a critical appraisal of evidence and limitation of exercise training and AAS to treat sarcopenia.
    Keywords:  anabolic-androgenic steroid; exercise; muscle; resistance trainig; sarcopenia
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.838526
  33. eNeuro. 2022 Apr 06. pii: ENEURO.0522-21.2022. [Epub ahead of print]
    Disruption of hyaluronic acid in skeletal muscle induces decreased voluntary activity via chemosensitive muscle afferent sensitization in male mice.
    Luis F Queme, Adam Dourson, Megan C Hofmann, Ally Butterfield, Rudolph D Paladini, Michael P Jankowski.
      PEGPH20, a human recombinant hyaluronidase, has been proposed as a coadjutant to pancreatic cancer chemotherapy. In early trials, patients reported increased widespread muscle pain as the main adverse reaction to PEGPH20. To understand how PEGPH20 caused musculoskeletal pain, we systemically administered PEGPH20 to male mice and measured voluntary wheel activity and pain-related behaviors. These were paired with ex-vivo electrophysiology of primary sensory neurons, whole DRG realtime PCR, and immunohistochemistry of hindpaw muscle. PEGPH20 induced significantly lower wheel running, compared to vehicle treated animals, and decreased mechanical withdrawal thresholds 5 days after PEGPH20 injections. Chemo-sensory muscle afferents showed increased responses to noxious chemical stimulation of their receptive fields in the PEGPH20 treated group. This was correlated with upregulation of the NGF receptor TrkA, the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel and ATP-sensitive channel P2X3 in the DRG. Immunohistochemistry of hindpaw muscles revealed damage to the muscle architecture and extensive infiltration of the tissue by cells of the myelomonocytic lineage 3 days after PEGPH20 injection. Peripheral macrophage ablation in macrophage Fas-induced apoptosis (MaFIA) mice, however, did not prevent the decreased voluntary activity and instead caused even lower levels of running. These results suggest that disruption of hyaluronic acid within the muscle extracellular matrix sensitizes chemo-nociceptive muscle afferents possibly leading to altered pain-like behaviors. Ablation experiments suggest macrophages are necessary for adequate recovery of voluntary activity after hyaluronic acid (HA) disruption. These data support a role for HA and macrophages in tissue integrity and muscle pain development in patients taking PEGPH20.Significance StatementHyaluronidase co-administration has been suggested as a possible solution to improve the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into difficult to access tissues. In clinical trials, patients receiving a systemic dose of hyaluronidase reported widespread pain as a side effect. Delivering hyaluronidase to mice, we found that they experienced decreased voluntary activity. We observed alterations in the response properties of metabo-nociceptive muscle afferents, accompanied by increased muscle infiltration of myeloid lineage cells including macrophages. Macrophage depletion at the time of hyaluronidase administration surprisingly exacerbated the decrease in voluntary activity. This suggests that increased hyaluronidase levels can affect muscle function and lead to immune responses, but also suggest these cells may be needed for muscle recovery to allow animals to perform activity-based tasks.
    Keywords:  behavior; dorsal root ganglia; electrophysiology; hyaluronidase; macrophage; voluntary activity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0522-21.2022
  34. J Physiol. 2022 Apr 07.
    Cross Talk rebuttal: Kirby and Dupont-Versteegden.
    Tyler J Kirby, Esther E Dupont-Versteegden.
      
    Keywords:  ageing; muscle atrophy; myonuclear apoptosis
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1113/JP283000
  35. Ageing Res Rev. 2022 Apr 01. pii: S1568-1637(22)00059-9. [Epub ahead of print] 101617
    Sarcopenia definition: does it really matter? Implications for resistance training?
    Cassandra Smith, Mary N Woessner, Marc Sim, Itamar Levinger.
      The loss of muscle mass, strength and function, known as sarcopenia, is common in older adults, and is associated with falls, fractures, cardiometabolic diseases, and lower quality of life. Sarcopenia can also occur secondarily to chronic diseases. Recently, sarcopenia was recognized as a disease with an International Classification of Disease (ICD) code, yet, at least five definitions for its clinical identification exist. Most definitions include three themes: low muscle mass, strength and physical performance. However, the definitions vary by the number of themes needed to diagnose sarcopenia and, within each theme various parameters and cut-off levels exist. The lack of consensus on what constitutes a diagnosis can create confusion and hesitation in sarcopenia diagnosis. Currently, no pharmacological treatment exists for sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) is safe and effective to improve muscle mass, strength and physical performance in older adults and clinical populations. Based on current guidelines, whether an individual is defined as "sarcopenic", or not, does not change the way RT is prescribed. Here, we present evidence and the inconsistencies in sarcopenia definitions and recommend that focus should be on optimizing ways to prescribe RT and increase long-term adherence, rather than on slight modifications to sarcopenia definitions.
    Keywords:  Sarcopenia; ageing; clinical populations; exercise; older adults
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101617
  36. Front Sports Act Living. 2022 ;4 817770
    Alterations in Muscle Force Control With Aging: Is There a Modulatory Effect of Lifelong Physical Activity?
    Jamie Pethick, Mathew Piasecki.
      Recent technological developments have enabled significant advances in our understanding of the ability to voluntarily control muscle force output. The fluctuations inherent to muscle force output can be quantified according to both their magnitude and temporal structure (or "complexity"), with such quantification facilitating comparison of force control between distinct populations. In comparison to young adults, older adults exhibit an increase in the magnitude (i.e., decreased steadiness) and a decrease in the complexity (i.e., decreased adaptability) of force fluctuations, both of which are indicative of a loss of force control. There remain, however, key gaps in knowledge that limit our interpretation of this age-related loss of force control. One such gap relates to the effect of lifelong physical activity on force control. To date, research on aging and force control has largely been conducted on inactive or moderately active older adults. However, high levels of lifelong physical activity, such as that exhibited by Masters athletes, have been shown to have protective effects on the function and morphology of the neuromuscular system. Some of these effects (e.g., on impaired inhibitory transmission in the motor cortex and on motor unit discharge rates) have the potential to attenuate the age-related loss of force control, while others (e.g., greater motor unit remodeling capacity) have the potential to worsen it. We therefore propose that, in order to progress our knowledge of the effects of aging on force control, future studies must consider the potential modulatory effect of lifelong physical activity.
    Keywords:  Masters athletes; aging; force control; motor unit (MU); muscle; physical activity
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.817770
  37. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 Apr 02.
    Effects of Exercise Training on PPARβ/δ Expression in Skeletal Muscle of Rats with Spontaneous Hypertension.
    Mingxuan Yang, Yanxia Pan, Kunhui Li, Xiuyun Chen, Minyan Li, Jianping Lin, Ming Li, Cheng Lin.
       PURPOSE: To identify the relationship and mechanism between skeletal muscle PPARβ/δ and spontaneous hypertension.
    METHODS: Rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10): spontaneous hypertensive rats exercise group (SHR-E), spontaneous hypertensive rats sedentary group (SHR-S), Wistar-Kyoto control rats exercise group (WKY-E) and Wistar-Kyoto control rats sedentary group (WKY-S). While sedentary groups were placed on the treadmill without moving during the training sessions, exercise groups were forced to run on a treadmill for 8 weeks, 1 h/day, 5 days/week. After training, the density and area of gastrocnemius microvessels were observed. PPARβ/δ, VEGFA, SOD-2 and eNOS in gastrocnemius were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blotting.
    RESULTS: Except the sixth week of age, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of SHR-S was significantly higher than that of WKY-S at all time periods. Exercise significantly reduced SBP in SHR rats. Compared with the SHR-S group, the WKY-S group had significantly higher PPARβ/δ protein level as well as density of skeletal muscle microvessels. Eight weeks of exercise increased the PPARβ/δ, SOD-2, VEGFA, microvessel density and area in the skeletal muscle of SHR.
    CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training promoted PPARβ/δ mRNA and protein level expression of PPARβ/δ, SOD-2 and VEGFA in skeletal muscle, thus increased the density and area of skeletal muscle blood vessels. These regulations contribute to the reduction of peripheral vascular resistance. This may be a potential mechanism of exercise to reduce blood pressure.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002925
  38. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2022 Apr 04.
    Chemotherapy impairs skeletal muscle mitochondrial homeostasis in early breast cancer patients.
    Joris Mallard, Elyse Hucteau, Anne-Laure Charles, Laura Bender, Claire Baeza, Mathilde Pélissie, Philippe Trensz, Carole Pflumio, Michal Kalish-Weindling, Bernard Gény, Roland Schott, Fabrice Favret, Xavier Pivot, Thomas J Hureau, Allan F Pagano.
       BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is extensively used to treat breast cancer and is associated with skeletal muscle deconditioning, which is known to reduce patients' quality of life, treatment efficiency, and overall survival. To date, skeletal muscle mitochondrial alterations represent a major aspect explored in breast cancer patients; nevertheless, the cellular mechanisms remain relatively unknown. This study was dedicated to investigating overall skeletal muscle mitochondrial homeostasis in early breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, including mitochondrial quantity, function, and dynamics.
    METHODS: Women undergoing (neo)adjuvant anthracycline-cyclophosphamide and taxane-based chemotherapy participated in this study (56 ± 12 years). Two muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis muscle before the first and after the last chemotherapy administration. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity, reactive oxygen species production, and western blotting analyses were performed.
    RESULTS: Among the 11 patients, we found a decrease in key markers of mitochondrial quantity, reaching -52.0% for citrate synthase protein levels (P = 0.02) and -38.2% for VDAC protein levels (P = 0.04). This mitochondrial content loss is likely explained by reduced mitochondrial biogenesis, as evidenced by a decrease in PGC-1α1 protein levels (-29.5%; P = 0.04). Mitochondrial dynamics were altered, as documented by a decrease in MFN2 protein expression (-33.4%; P = 0.01), a key marker of mitochondrial outer membrane fusion. Mitochondrial fission is a prerequisite for mitophagy activation, and no variation was found in either key markers of mitochondrial fission (Fis1 and DRP1) or mitophagy (Parkin, PINK1, and Mul1). Two contradictory hypotheses arise from these results: defective mitophagy, which probably increases the number of damaged and fragmented mitochondria, or a relative increase in mitophagy through elevated mitophagic potential (Parkin/VDAC ratio; +176.4%; P < 0.02). Despite no change in mitochondrial respiratory capacity and COX IV protein levels, we found an elevation in H2 O2 production (P < 0.05 for all substrate additions) without change in antioxidant enzymes. We investigated the apoptosis pathway and found an increase in the protein expression of the apoptosis initiation marker Bax (+72.0%; P = 0.04), without variation in the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.
    CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated major mitochondrial alterations subsequent to chemotherapy in early breast cancer patients: (i) a striking reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis, (ii) altered mitochondrial dynamics and potential mitophagy defects, (iii) exacerbated H2 O2 production, and (iv) increased initiation of apoptosis. All of these alterations likely explain, at least in part, the high prevalence of skeletal muscle and cardiorespiratory deconditioning classically observed in breast cancer patients.
    Keywords:  Apoptosis; H2O2; Mitochondrial biogenesis; Mitochondrial dynamics; Mitophagy; Skeletal muscle deconditioning
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12991
  39. Geroscience. 2022 Apr 07.
    Longitudinal associations between blood lysophosphatidylcholines and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function.
    Qu Tian, Brendan A Mitchell, Marta Zampino, Luigi Ferrucci.
      Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) are phospholipids critical in the synthesis of cardiolipin, an essential component of mitochondrial membranes. Lower plasma LPCs have been cross-sectionally associated with lower skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, but whether lower LPCs and their decline over time are longitudinally associated with an accelerated decline of mitochondria function is unknown. We analyzed data from 184 participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (mean age: 74.5 years, 57% women, 25% black) who had repeated measures of plasma LPCs (16:0, 16:1, 17:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 20:3, 20:4, 24:0, and 28:1) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and repeated measures of skeletal muscle oxidative capacity (kPCr) assessed by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy over an average of 2.4 years. Rates of change in kPCr and each LPC were first estimated using simple linear regression. In multivariable linear regression models adjusted for baseline demographics and PCr % depletion, lower baseline LPC 16:1 and faster rates of decline in LPC 16:1 and 18:1 were significantly associated with a faster rate of decline in kPCr (B =  - 0.169, 95% CI: - 0.328, - 0.010, p = 0.038; B = 0.209, 95% CI: 0.065, 0.352, p = 0.005; B = 0.156, 95% CI: 0.011, 0.301, p = 0.035, respectively). Rates of change in other LPCs were not significantly associated with change in kPCr (all p > 0.05). Lower baseline concentrations and faster decline in selected plasma lysophosphatidylcholines over time are associated with faster decline in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Strategies to prevent the decline of plasma LPCs at an early stage may slow down mitochondrial function decline and impairment during aging.
    Keywords:  Cardiolipin synthesis; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Mitochondrial function
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-022-00548-w
  40. Muscle Nerve. 2022 Apr 03.
    The Effect Of Methocarbamol And Mexiletine On Murine Muscle Spindle Function.
    Bridgette Watkins, Hedwig M Schuster, Laura Gerwin, Benedikt Schoser, Stephan Kröger.
       INTRODUCTION/AIMS: The muscle relaxant methocarbamol and the antimyotonic drug mexiletine are widely used for the treatment of muscle spasms, myotonia and pain syndromes. To investigate if these drugs affect muscle spindle function, we studied their effect on the resting discharge and on stretch-induced action potential frequencies of proprioceptive afferent neurons.
    METHODS: Single unit action potential frequencies of proprioceptive afferents from muscle spindles in the murine extensor digitorum longus muscle of adult C57BL/6J mice were recorded under resting conditions and during ramp and hold stretches. Maximal tetanic force of the same muscle after direct stimulation was determined. High-resolution confocal microscopy analysis was performed to investigate the distribution of Nav 1.4 channels, a potential target for both drugs.
    RESULTS: Methocarbamol and mexiletine inhibited the muscle spindle resting discharge in a dose dependent manner with IC50 values around 300 μM and 6 μM, respectively. With increasing concentrations of both drugs, the response to stretch was also affected with the static sensitivity first followed by the dynamic sensitivity. At high concentrations, both drugs completely blocked muscle spindle afferent output. Both drugs also reversibly reduced the specific force of the extensor digitorum longus muscle after tetanic stimulation. Finally, we present evidence for the presence and specific localization of the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav 1.4 in intrafusal fibers.
    DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that both muscle relaxants affect muscle spindle function suggesting impaired proprioception as a potential side effect of both drugs. Moreover, our results provide additional evidence for a peripheral activity of methocarbamol and mexiletine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Keywords:  intrafusal fiber; mechanosensation; muscle relaxant; proprioception; stretch response; voltage-gated sodium channel
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.27546
  41. Aging Dis. 2022 Apr;13(2): 344-352
    Synergistic Effects of Multiple Factors Involved in COVID-19-dependent Muscle Loss.
    Nicholas Cantu, Sagar Vyavahare, Sandeep Kumar, Jie Chen, Ravindra Kolhe, Carlos M Isales, Mark Hamrick, Sadanand Fulzele.
      The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is an ongoing pandemic causing severe health crisis worldwide. Recovered COVID-19 patients go through several long-term side effects such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, weight loss, and muscle loss among others. Our study sought to determine the molecular mechanisms behind muscle loss in COVID-19 patients. We hypothesized that multiple factors such as cytokine storm and therapeutic drugs (glucocorticoid and antiviral drugs) might be involved in muscle loss. Using the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we identified several studies that performed RNA sequencing on skeletal muscles with the treatment of cytokine, glucocorticoid, and antiviral drugs. Our study identified cytokines, such as IL-1b, and IL-6, associated with altered regulation of several genes involved in the myogenic processes, including Ttn, Cxxc5, Malat1, and Foxo1. We also observed that glucocorticoid altered the expression of Foxo1, Lcn2, Slc39a14, and Cdkn1a. Finally, we found out that the antiviral (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor) drug regulates the expression of some of the muscle-related genes (Txnip, Ccnd1, Hdac9, and Fbxo32). Based on our findings, we hypothesize that the cytokine storm, glucocorticoids, and antiviral drugs might be synergistically involved in COVID-19-dependent muscle loss.
    Keywords:  COVID-19; Muscle loss; antiviral drugs; cytokine storm; glucocorticoid
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2021.0817
  42. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2022 Apr 05.
    Multiple LEDT wavelengths modulate the Akt signaling pathways and attenuate pathological events in mdx dystrophic muscle cells.
    Guilherme Luiz da Rocha, Daniela Sayuri Mizobuti, Heloina Nathalliê Mariano da Silva, Caroline Covatti, Caroline Caramano de Lourenço, Marcos José Salvador, Elaine Cristina Leite Pereira, Elaine Minatel.
      This study is aimed at investigating the effects of LEDT, at multiple wavelengths, on intracellular calcium concentration; on transient receptor potential canonical channels; on calcium-binding protein; on myogenic factors; on myosin heavy chains; on Akt signaling pathway; on inflammatory markers; and on the angiogenic-inducing factor in dystrophic muscle cell culture experimental model. Dystrophic primary muscle cells were submitted to LEDT, at multiple wavelengths (420 nm, 470 nm, 660 nm, and 850 nm), and evaluated after 48 h for cytotoxic effects and intracellular calcium content. TRPC-1, TRPC-6, Calsequestrin, MyoD, Myogenin, MHC-slow, MHC-fast, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-FoxO1, Myostatin, NF-κB, TNF-α, and VEGF levels were evaluated in dystrophic primary muscle cells by western blotting. The LEDT, at multiple wavelengths, treated-mdx muscle cells showed no cytotoxic effect and significant lower levels in [Ca2 +]i. The mdx muscle cells treated with LEDT showed a significant reduction of TRPC-1, NF-κB, TNF-α and MyoD levels and a significant increase of Myogenin, MHC-slow, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-FoxO1 levels, and VEGF levels. Our findings suggest that different LEDT wavelengths modulate the Akt-signaling pathways and attenuate pathological events in dystrophic muscle cells, and a combined multiwavelength irradiation protocol may even provide a potentially therapeutic strategy for muscular dystrophies.
    Keywords:  Akt-signaling pathways; Angiogenic factor; Calcium channels; Inflammatory process; Myogenic differentiation; Photobiomodulation
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-022-00216-0
  43. Int J Obes (Lond). 2022 Apr 05.
    Incretin-induced changes in the transcriptome of skeletal muscles of fa/fa Zucker rat (ZFR) with obesity, without diabetes.
    Ides M Colin, Bernard Knoops, Anne-Catherine Gérard.
       INTRODUCTION: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) are increasingly used in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a long acting GLP-1ra, was previously reported to decrease oxidative stress in hepatocytes, adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells in obese nondiabetic fa/fa Zucker rats (ZFR), thereby improving insulin resistance.
    AIM: We aimed first to identify Ex-4-induced changes in the transcriptome of skeletal muscle cells in ZFR.
    RESULTS: Ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ZFR versus lean animals (LR) showed that the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the first most affected cellular compartment, followed by myofibrils and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Interestingly, among 15 genes regulated in ZFR versus LR, 14 of them were inversely regulated by Ex-4, as further confirmed by RT-qPCR. Picro-Sirius red histological staining showed that decreased ECM fiber area in ZFR is partially restored by Ex-4. Ontology analysis of the myofibril compartment revealed that decreased muscle contractile function in ZFR is partially restored by Ex-4, as confirmed by Phalloidin histological staining that showed a partial restoration by Ex-4 of altered contractile apparatus in ZFR. Ontology analysis of ER DEGs in ZFR versus LR showed that some of them are related to the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Phosphorylated AMPK levels were strongly increased in Ex-4-treated ZFR.
    CONCLUSION: Altogether, our results suggest that GLP-1ra strongly restructure ECM and reinforce contractile capabilities in ZFR, while optimizing the cellular metabolism through AMPK.
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01114-2
  44. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2022 Apr 07.
    From fibre to function: are we accurately representing muscle architecture and performance?
    James Charles, Roger Kissane, Tatjana Hoehfurtner, Karl T Bates.
      The size and arrangement of fibres play a determinate role in the kinetic and energetic performance of muscles. Extrapolations between fibre architecture and performance underpin our understanding of how muscles function and how they are adapted to power specific motions within and across species. Here we provide a synopsis of how this 'fibre to function' paradigm has been applied to understand muscle design, performance and adaptation in animals. Our review highlights the widespread application of the fibre to function paradigm across a diverse breadth of biological disciplines but also reveals a potential and highly prevalent limitation running through past studies. Specifically, we find that quantification of muscle architectural properties is almost universally based on an extremely small number of fibre measurements. Despite the volume of research into muscle properties, across a diverse breadth of research disciplines, the fundamental assumption that a small proportion of fibre measurements can accurately represent the architectural properties of a muscle has never been quantitatively tested. Subsequently, we use a combination of medical imaging, statistical analysis, and physics-based computer simulation to address this issue for the first time. By combining diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and deterministic fibre tractography we generated a large number of fibre measurements (>3000) rapidly for individual human lower limb muscles. Through statistical subsampling simulations of these measurements, we demonstrate that analysing a small number of fibres (n < 25) typically used in previous studies may lead to extremely large errors in the characterisation of overall muscle architectural properties such as mean fibre length and physiological cross-sectional area. Through dynamic musculoskeletal simulations of human walking and jumping, we demonstrate that recovered errors in fibre architecture characterisation have significant implications for quantitative predictions of in-vivo dynamics and muscle fibre function within a species. Furthermore, by applying data-subsampling simulations to comparisons of muscle function in humans and chimpanzees, we demonstrate that error magnitudes significantly impact both qualitative and quantitative assessment of muscle specialisation, potentially generating highly erroneous conclusions about the absolute and relative adaption of muscles across species and evolutionary transitions. Our findings have profound implications for how a broad diversity of research fields quantify muscle architecture and interpret muscle function.
    Keywords:  biomechanics; functional morphology; locomotion; modelling; muscle; physiology
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12856
  45. Nat Rev Neurol. 2022 Apr 08.
    Treatment with cardiosphere-derived cells could slow progress of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
    Sarah Lempriere.
      
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-022-00657-2
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