Modification of the dystrophic phenotype after transient neonatal denervation: Role of MHC isoforms

While it recently has been demonstrated that it is possible to modify the phenotypic expression of murine dystrophy (dy/dy) (i.e., prevent myofiber loss) by subjecting the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle of 14-day-old dy/dy mice to transient neonatal denervation (Moschella and Ontell, 1987), the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon has not been determined. Since it has been suggested that the effects of dystrophy vary according to fiber type, the fiber type frequency in 100-day-old normal (+/+) and dy/dy EDL muscles subjected to transient neonatal denervation has been determined by immunohistochemical analysis of their myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition. This frequency has been compared with that found in the EDL muscles of 14 -and 100-day-old unoperated +/+ and dy/dy mice, in order to determine whether the reinnervation of transiently denervated neonatal muscle results in a preponderance of fibers of the type that might be spared dystrophic deterioration. In unoperated dy/dy muscle there is a progressive decrease in the frequency and in the absolute number of fibers that express MHC_2B, with 100-day-old dy/dy muscles having ～32% of the number of myofibers fibers containing MHC_2B as is found in age-matched +/+ muscles. The number of fibers containing the other fast isoforms (MHC_2A and MHC_2X) is similar in +/+ and dy/dy muscles at this age, indicating that fibers with MHC_2B are most affected by the dystrophic process. Reinnervation following transient neonatal denervation of both the +/+ and the dy/dy EDL muscles results in a similar decrease (～62%) in the number of myofibers containing MHC_2B and an increase in myofibers containing the other fast MHC isoforms (MHC_2A and MHC_2X). The selective effect of dy/dy on fibers containing MHC_2B and the sparing of myofibers in transiently denervated dy/dy muscle (which contains a reduced frequency of fibers containing MHC_2B) are consistent with, although not direct proof of, the hypothesis that alterations in the fiber type may play a role in the failure of myofibers in transiently denervated dy/dy muscles to undergo dystrophic deterioration. Evidence is presented suggesting that neurons that supply myofibers containing MHC_2B may be at a selective disadvantage in their ability to reinnervate neonatally denervated muscles. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Laminin α4 and Integrin α6 Are Upregulated in Regenerating dy/dy Skeletal Muscle: Comparative Expression of Laminin and Integrin Isoforms in Muscles Regenerating after Crush Injury

The expression of laminin isoforms and laminin-binding integrin receptors known to occur in muscle was investigated during myogenic regeneration after crush injury. Comparisons were made between dystrophic 129ReJ dy/dy mice, which have reduced laminin α2 expression, and their normal littermates. The overall histological pattern of regeneration after crush injury was similar in dy/dy and control muscle, but proceeded faster in dy/dy mice. In vitro studies revealed a greater yield of mononuclear cells extracted from dy/dy muscle and a reduced proportion of desmin-positive cells upon in vitro cultivation, reflecting the presence of inflammatory cells and “preactivated” myoblasts due to ongoing regenerative processes within the endogenous dystrophic lesions. Laminin α1 was not detectable in skeletal muscle. Laminin α2 was present in basement membranes of mature myofibers and newly formed myotubes in control and dy/dy muscles, albeit weaker in dy/dy. Laminin α2-negative myogenic cells were detected in dy/dy and control muscle, suggesting the involvement of other laminin α chains in early myogenic differentiation, such as laminin α4 and α5 which were both transiently expressed in basement membranes of newly formed myotubes of dy/dy and control mice. Integrin β1 was expressed on endothelial cells, muscle fibers, and peripheral nerves in uninjured muscle and broadened after crush injury to the interstitium where it occurred on myogenic and nonmyogenic cells. Integrin α3 was not expressed in uninjured or regenerating muscle, while integrin α6 was expressed mainly on endothelial cells and peripheral nerves in uninjured muscle. Upon crush injury integrin α6 increased in the interstitium mainly on nonmyogenic cells, including infiltrating leukocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. In dy/dy muscle, integrin α6 occurred on some newly formed myotubes. Integrin α7 was expressed on muscle fibers at the myotendinous junction and showed weak and irregular expression on muscle fibers. After crush injury, integrin α7 expression extended to the newly formed myotubes and some myoblasts. However, many myoblasts and newly formed myotubes were integrin α7 negative. No marked difference was observed in integrin α7 expression between dy/dy and control muscle, either uninjured or after crush injury. Only laminin α4 and integrin α6 expression patterns were notably different between dy/dy and control muscle. Expression of both molecules was more extensive in dy/dy muscle, especially in the interstitium of regenerating areas and on newly formed myotubes. In view of the faster myogenic regeneration observed in dy/dy mice, the data suggest that laminin α4 and integrin α6 support myogenic regeneration. However, whether these accelerated myogenic effects are a direct consequence of the reduced laminin α2 expression in dy/dy mice, or an accentuation of the ongoing regenerative events in focal lesions in the muscle, requires further investigation.     

Modification of the dystrophic phenotype after transient neonatal denervation: role of MHC isoforms.

While it recently has been demonstrated that it is possible to modify the phenotypic expression of murine dystrophy (dy/dy) (i.e., prevent myofiber loss) by subjecting the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle of 14-day-old dy/dy mice to transient neonatal denervation (Moschella and Ontell, 1987), the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon has not been determined. Since it has been suggested that the effects of dystrophy vary according to fiber type, the fiber type frequency in 100-day-old normal (+/+) and dy/dy EDL muscles subjected to transient neonatal denervation has been determined by immunohistochemical analysis of their myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition. This frequency has been compared with that found in the EDL muscles of 14- and 100-day-old unoperated +/+ and dy/dy mice, in order to determine whether the reinnervation of transiently denervated neonatal muscle results in a preponderance of fibers of the type that might be spared dystrophic deterioration. In unoperated dy/dy muscle there is a progressive decrease in the frequency and in the absolute number of fibers that express MHC2B, with 100-day-old dy/dy muscles having approximately 32% of the number of myofibers fibers containing MHC2B as is found in age-matched +/+ muscles. The number of fibers containing the other fast isoforms (MHC2A and MHC2X) is similar in +/+ and dy/dy muscles at this age, indicating that fibers with MHC2B are most affected by the dystrophic process. Reinnervation following transient neonatal denervation of both the +/+ and the dy/dy EDL muscles results in a similar decrease (approximately 62%) in the number of myofibers containing MHC2B and an increase in myofibers containing the other fast MHC isoforms (MHC2A and MHC2X). The selective effect of dy/dy on fibers containing MHC2B and the sparing of myofibers in transiently denervated dy/dy muscle (which contains a reduced frequency of fibers containing MHC2B) are consistent with, although not direct proof of, the hypothesis that alterations in the fiber type may play a role in the failure of myofibers in transiently denervated dy/dy muscles to undergo dystrophic deterioration. Evidence is presented suggesting that neurons that supply myofibers containing MHC2B may be at a selective disadvantage in their ability to reinnervate neonatally denervated muscles.     

Bone marrow transplantation improves outcome in a mouse model of congenital muscular dystrophy

We examined whether pathogenesis in dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice and laminin-alpha2-deficient (dy) mice is ameliorated by bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were used as donors. In mdx mice, BMT failed to produce any significant differences in muscle pathology, although some GFP-positive fibers with restored dystrophin expression were observed. In contrast, in the dy mice, BMT led to a significant increase in lifespan and an increase in growth rate, muscle strength, and respiratory function. We conclude that BMT improved outcome in dy mice but not mdx mice.     

The passive mechanical properties of the extensor digitorum longus muscle are compromised in 2- to 20-mo-old mdx mice

Muscle rigidity and myotendinous junction (MTJ) deficiency contribute to immobilization in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a lethal disease caused by the absence of dystrophin. However, little is known about the muscle passive properties and MTJ strength in a diseased muscle. Here, we hypothesize that dystrophin-deficient muscle pathology renders skeletal muscle stiffer and MTJ weaker. To test our hypothesis, we examined the passive properties of an intact noncontracting muscle-tendon unit in mdx mice, a mouse model for DMD. The extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle-tendon preparations of 2-, 6-, 14-, and 20-mo-old mdx and normal control mice were strained stepwisely from 110% to 160% of the muscle optimal length. The stress-strain response and failure position were analyzed. In support of our hypothesis, the mdx EDL preparation consistently developed higher stress before muscle failure. Postfailure stresses decreased dramatically in mdx but not normal preparations. Further, mdx showed a significantly faster stress relaxation rate. Consistent with stress-strain assay results, we observed significantly higher fibrosis in mdx muscle. In 2- and 6-mo-old mdx and 20-mo-old BL10 mice failure occurred within the muscle (2- to 14-mo-old BL10 preparations did not fail). Interestingly, in ≥14-mo-old mdx mice the failure site shifted toward the MTJ. Electron microscopy revealed substantial MTJ degeneration in aged but not young mdx mice. In summary, our results suggest that the passive properties of the EDL muscle and the strength of MTJ are compromised in mdx in an age-dependent manner. These findings offer new insights in studying DMD pathogenesis and developing novel therapies.     

The Wallerian degeneration slow (Wld(s)) gene does not attenuate disease in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disease characterized by loss of spinal α-motor neurons, resulting in the paralysis of skeletal muscle. SMA is caused by deficiency of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels. Recent evidence has highlighted an axon-specific role for SMN protein, raising the possibility that axon degeneration may be an early event in SMA pathogenesis. The Wallerian degeneration slow (Wld^s) gene is a spontaneous dominant mutation in mice that delays axon degeneration by approximately 2-3 weeks. We set out to examine the effect of Wld^s on the phenotype of a mouse model of SMA. We found that Wld^s does not alter the SMA phenotype, indicating that Wallerian degeneration does not directly contribute to the pathogenesis of SMA development.     

Transient neonatal denervation alters the proliferative capacity of myosatellite cells in dystrophic (129ReJdy/dy) muscle.

It has been previously shown that transiently denervated, neonatal dystrophic muscle fails to undergo the degeneration-regeneration cycle characteristic of murine dystrophy (Moschella and Ontell, 1987). Thus, the myosatellite cells (myogenic stem cells) in these muscles have been spared the mitotic challenge to which dystrophic myosatellite cells are normally subjected early in the time course of the disease. By in vitro evaluation of the proliferative capacity of myosatellite cells derived from extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of 100-day-old genetically normal (+/+) and genetically dystrophic [dy/dy (129ReJdy/dy)] mice and from muscles of age-matched mice that had been neonatally denervated (by sciaticotomy) and allowed to reinnervate, it has been possible to directly determine whether the cessation of spontaneous regeneration in older dy/dy muscles in vivo, is due to an innate defect in the proliferative capacity of the myosatellite cells or exhaustion of the myosatellite cells' mitotic activity during the regenerative phase of the disease. This study demonstrates that transient neonatal denervation of dystrophic muscle (Den.dy/dy) increases the number of muscle colony-forming cells (MCFs) per milligram of wet weight muscle tissue, increases the plating efficiency, and significantly increases the in vitro mitotic activity of dystrophic myosatellite cells toward normal values. The increased mitotic capability of myosatellite cells derived from Den.dy/dy muscle as compared to unoperated dy/dy muscle suggests that there is no innate defect in the proliferative capacity of the myosatellite cells of dy/dy muscles and that the cessation of spontaneous regeneration in the dy/dy muscles is related to the exhaustion of their myosatellite cells' mitotic capability.     

Free radicals: a potential pathogenic mechanism in inherited muscular dystrophy

Despite years of intensive work, the biochemical defect responsible for the pathogenesis of inherited muscular dystrophy has not been identified either in humans or animal models. This review examines evidence in support of the hypothesis that free radicals may be responsible for muscle degeneration in this disorder. A variety of cellular abnormalities noted in dystrophic muscles can be accounted for by free radical mediated damage. In addition, chemical by-products associated with free radical damage are found in dystrophic muscle tissue from humans and animals with this disease. Various enzymatic antioxidant systems can be enhanced as a normal cellular response to oxidative stress, and such changes are seen both in dystrophic muscle cells and certain other tissues of dystrophic animals. An increased level of free radical damage would follow from either: enhanced production of free radical species, or a deficient component of the cellular antioxidant system, such as vitamin E. The free radical hypothesis of muscular dystrophy can account for data supporting several alternative theories of the pathogenesis of this disease, as well as other observations which have not previously been explained.     

Muscle degeneration following remote nerve injury

Muscle depends upon innervation and contraction to maintain a differentiated state. Denervation can therefore induce muscle atrophy. In grasshoppers, muscle degeneration can also be triggered by the severing of a leg during autotomy. In this case, the muscles that degenerate are neither damaged nor denervated. This phenomenon suggests the existence of transneuronal mechanisms that influence muscle survival. To characterize this autotomy-induced process, we studied the degeneration of a thoracic tergotrochanteral depressor muscle (M#133b,c) subsequent to the shedding of a hindlimb in the grasshoppers Barytettix psolus and Barytettix humphreysii. Both histochemical and electrophysiological methods were used to follow muscle degeneration 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 days postautotomy. Muscle fibers began to show denervation-like electrophysiological changes (i.e., depolarized resting membrane potentials and postinhibitory rebound) as soon as 3 days postautotomy. By 10 days, significant muscle degeneration was evident and electrophysiological changes were found in all animals tested. Muscle anatomical degeneration was not induced by synaptic transmission failure, because neuromuscular transmission was maintained in most fibers. The rate of muscle degeneration was not constant. Between 1 and 10 days, mean fiber cross-sectional area did not change on the autotomized side, although this is normally a time of muscle growth. However after 10 days, cross-sectional area became drastically reduced and the number of muscle fibers within M#133b,c was decreased. The variability in rate of fiber degeneration was not dependent upon fiber type, since M#133b,c only contains fast-type fibers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 36: 497–508, 1998     

Physical exercise stimulates autophagy in normal skeletal muscles but is detrimental for collagen VI-deficient muscles

Autophagy is a catabolic process that provides the degradation of altered/damaged organelles through the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. Proper regulation of the autophagic flux is fundamental for the homeostasis of skeletal muscles in physiological conditions and in response to stress. Defective as well as excessive autophagy is detrimental for muscle health and has a pathogenic role in several forms of muscle diseases. Recently, we found that defective activation of the autophagic machinery plays a key role in the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophies linked to collagen VI. Impairment of the autophagic flux in collagen VI null (Col6a1–/–) mice causes accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria and altered sarcoplasmic reticulum, leading to apoptosis and degeneration of muscle fibers. Here we show that physical exercise activates autophagy in skeletal muscles. Notably, physical training exacerbated the dystrophic phenotype of Col6a1–/– mice, where autophagy flux is compromised. Autophagy was not induced in Col6a1–/– muscles after either acute or prolonged exercise, and this led to a marked increase of muscle wasting and apoptosis. These findings indicate that proper activation of autophagy is important for muscle homeostasis during physical activity.     

Laminin alpha4 and integrin alpha6 are upregulated in regenerating dy/dy skeletal muscle: comparative expression of laminin and integrin isoforms in muscles regenerating after crush injury

The expression of laminin isoforms and laminin-binding integrin receptors known to occur in muscle was investigated during myogenic regeneration after crush injury. Comparisons were made between dystrophic 129ReJ dy/dy mice, which have reduced laminin alpha2 expression, and their normal littermates. The overall histological pattern of regeneration after crush injury was similar in dy/dy and control muscle, but proceeded faster in dy/dy mice. In vitro studies revealed a greater yield of mononuclear cells extracted from dy/dy muscle and a reduced proportion of desmin-positive cells upon in vitro cultivation, reflecting the presence of inflammatory cells and "preactivated" myoblasts due to ongoing regenerative processes within the endogenous dystrophic lesions. Laminin alpha1 was not detectable in skeletal muscle. Laminin alpha2 was present in basement membranes of mature myofibers and newly formed myotubes in control and dy/dy muscles, albeit weaker in dy/dy. Laminin alpha2-negative myogenic cells were detected in dy/dy and control muscle, suggesting the involvement of other laminin alpha chains in early myogenic differentiation, such as laminin alpha4 and alpha5 which were both transiently expressed in basement membranes of newly formed myotubes of dy/dy and control mice. Integrin beta1 was expressed on endothelial cells, muscle fibers, and peripheral nerves in uninjured muscle and broadened after crush injury to the interstitium where it occurred on myogenic and nonmyogenic cells. Integrin alpha3 was not expressed in uninjured or regenerating muscle, while integrin alpha6 was expressed mainly on endothelial cells and peripheral nerves in uninjured muscle. Upon crush injury integrin alpha6 increased in the interstitium mainly on nonmyogenic cells, including infiltrating leukocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. In dy/dy muscle, integrin alpha6 occurred on some newly formed myotubes. Integrin alpha7 was expressed on muscle fibers at the myotendinous junction and showed weak and irregular expression on muscle fibers. After crush injury, integrin alpha7 expression extended to the newly formed myotubes and some myoblasts. However, many myoblasts and newly formed myotubes were integrin alpha7 negative. No marked difference was observed in integrin alpha7 expression between dy/dy and control muscle, either uninjured or after crush injury. Only laminin alpha4 and integrin alpha6 expression patterns were notably different between dy/dy and control muscle. Expression of both molecules was more extensive in dy/dy muscle, especially in the interstitium of regenerating areas and on newly formed myotubes. In view of the faster myogenic regeneration observed in dy/dy mice, the data suggest that laminin alpha4 and integrin alpha6 support myogenic regeneration. However, whether these accelerated myogenic effects are a direct consequence of the reduced laminin alpha2 expression in dy/dy mice, or an accentuation of the ongoing regenerative events in focal lesions in the muscle, requires further investigation.     

Deletion of murine SMN exon 7 directed to skeletal muscle leads to severe muscular dystrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by degeneration of motor neurons of the spinal cord associated with muscle paralysis and caused by mutations of the survival motor neuron gene (SMN). To determine whether SMN gene defect in skeletal muscle might have a role in SMA pathogenesis, deletion of murine SMN exon 7, the most frequent mutation found in SMA, has been restricted to skeletal muscle by using the Cre-loxP system. Mutant mice display ongoing muscle necrosis with a dystrophic phenotype leading to muscle paralysis and death. The dystrophic phenotype is associated with elevated levels of creatine kinase activity, Evans blue dye uptake into muscle fibers, reduced amount of dystrophin and upregulation of utrophin expression suggesting a destabilization of the sarcolemma components. The mutant mice will be a valuable model for elucidating the underlying mechanism. Moreover, our results suggest a primary involvement of skeletal muscle in human SMA, which may contribute to motor defect in addition to muscle denervation caused by the motor neuron degeneration. These data may have important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies in SMA.     

Genetic analysis of the role of proteolysis in the activation of latent myostatin

Myostatin is a secreted protein that normally acts to limit skeletal muscle growth. As a result, there is considerable interest in developing agents capable of blocking myostatin activity, as such agents could have widespread applications for the treatment of muscle degenerative and wasting conditions. Myostatin normally exists in an inactive state in which the mature C-terminal portion of the molecule is bound non-covalently to its N-terminal propeptide. We previously showed that this latent complex can be activated in vitro by cleavage of the propeptide with members of the bone morphogenetic protein-1/tolloid (BMP-1/TLD) family of metalloproteases. Here, I show that mice engineered to carry a germline point mutation rendering the propeptide protease-resistant exhibit increases in muscle mass approaching those seen in mice completely lacking myostatin. Mice homozygous for the point mutation have increased muscling even though their circulating levels of myostatin protein are dramatically increased, consistent with an inability of myostatin to be activated from its latent state. Furthermore, I show that a loss-of-function mutation in Tll2, which encodes one member of this protease family, has a small, but significant, effect on muscle mass, implying that its function is likely redundant with those of other family members. These findings provide genetic support for the hypothesis that proteolytic cleavage of the propeptide by BMP-1/TLD proteases plays a critical role in the activation of latent myostatin in vivo and suggest that targeting the activities of these proteases may be an effective therapeutic strategy for enhancing muscle growth in clinical settings of muscle loss and degeneration.     

Gastrocnemius Muscle Lipids in Relation to Diet in Two Mouse Mutants, 129Re-dy and A2G-adr, with Abnormal Muscle Function

The lipids of gastrocnemius muscle from normal and dystrophic (dy) mice of the Bar Harbor, 129Re strain were studied. Animals were fed diets containing either 3.1% or 1.1% of total calories as linoleic acid. Lipid analyses were also done on muscle from a new mouse mutant, A2G-adr, which has abnormal muscle function, characterised by an arrested development of the righting response. These animals were fed the "high" linoleic acid diet only. Total lipid, triacylglycerol, and cholesterol were elevated in the 129Re-dy irrespective of the diet, whereas A2G-adr possessed significantly higher levels of cholesterol. Total phosphorus (micrograms P/g muscle) and cholesterol/phospholipid ratios were elevated in the dy strains only. Cardiolipin was raised in the dy ("low" linoleic diet) and adr muscle, whereas phosphatidylcholine was lower in the adr strain only. Linoleic acid esterified to phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine was elevated whereas arachidonic acid in phosphatidylserine was decreased in both mutants. Docosahexanoic acid (22:6) in all three dy phospholipids was decreased, independent of dietary treatment. The adr strain possessed normal levels of this fatty acid. The results specifically point to an abnormality in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in gastrocnemius muscle in the 129Re-dy mutant; in the adr mutant they could reflect an abnormal increase in the number of muscle mitochondria.     

Proinflammatory Signals and the Loss of Lymphatic Vessel Hyaluronan Receptor-1 (LYVE-1) in the Early Pathogenesis of Laminin Alpha2-deficient Skeletal Muscle

Congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A, a severe neuromuscular disease characterized by early-onset muscle weakness and degeneration, is caused by insufficient levels of laminin α2 (LAMA2) in the basal lamina surrounding muscle fibers and other cells. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to muscle loss is needed to develop therapeutic interventions for this disease. Here, the authors show that inflammation is an early feature of pathogenesis in Lama2-deficient mouse muscle, indicated by elevated expression of tenascin C in the endomysium around muscle fibers, infiltration of macrophages, and induction of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and IL-1β. In addition, the expression of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), a specific marker for lymphatic vessel endothelial cells, is dramatically reduced early in Lama2-deficient muscle pathogenesis. LYVE-1 expression, which is inhibited by TNFα, is also decreased in muscles undergoing degeneration due to dystrophin deficiency and cardiotoxin damage. LYVE-1 expression thus provides a useful biomarker to monitor the onset of muscle pathogenesis, likely serving as an indicator of inflammatory signals present in muscles. Together, the data show that inflammatory pathways are activated in the earliest stages of Lama2-deficient disease progression and could play a role in early muscle degeneration.     

Tree limit dynamics of Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa in relation to climate variability: evidence from central Sweden

Abstract. The tree limit of Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa (mountain birch) in the southern Swedish Scandes was monitored during 1972–1992. The study included various aspects of growth, vigour and reproduction of Betula. The main focus was on the character and mechanics of the tree limit/climate equilibrium system. The tree limit, which changed in response to a temperature rise early this century, remained constant in position and tree physiognomy did not change, although the past 50 yr or so have been colder. Indeed, growth and reproductive effort and capacity decreased in this period. Obviously, most resources in Betula were used to resist stress in the mature phase, resulting in delayed recession of trees. Unless drastic warming occurs, stem dieback is predicted for the near future. Even a minorclimatic disturbance would have an effect, because resources are gradually being depleted. Radial growth correlated most closely with the mean temperature in July. Particularly at the present-day tree limit, the variance in annual growth could be largely explained by climatic factors. The hypothesis is that long-term tree limit dynamics during the late Holocene is merely a matter of fluctuations in vegetative vigour and stature of old individuals. At the population level, response to climatic variability appears to be greatly delayed.     

Early functional muscle regeneration after myotoxic injury in mice is unaffected by nNOS absence

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule produced in skeletal muscle primarily via the neuronal subtype of NO synthase (NOS1, or nNOS). While many studies have reported NO production to be important in muscle regeneration, none have examined the contribution of nNOS-derived NO to functional muscle regeneration (i.e., restoration of the muscle's ability to produce force) after acute myotoxic injury. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that genetic deletion of nNOS would impair functional muscle regeneration after myotoxic injury in nNOS(-/-) mice. We found that nNOS(-/-) mice had lower body mass, lower muscle mass, and smaller myofiber cross-sectional area and that their tibialis anterior (TA) muscles produced lower absolute tetanic forces than those of wild-type littermate controls but that normalized or specific force was identical between the strains. In addition, muscles from nNOS(-/-) mice were more resistant to fatigue than those of wild-type littermates (P < 0.05). To determine whether deletion of nNOS affected muscle regeneration, TA muscles from nNOS(-/-) mice and wild-type littermates were injected with the myotoxin notexin to cause complete fiber degeneration, and muscle structure and function were assessed at 7 and 10 days postinjury. Myofiber cross-sectional area was lower in regenerating nNOS(-/-) mice than wild-type controls at 7 and 10 days postinjury; however, contrary to our original hypothesis, no difference in force-producing capacity of the TA muscle was evident between the two groups at either time point. Our findings reveal that nNOS is not essential for functional muscle regeneration after acute myotoxic damage.     

PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS OF FEMALE THALASSOMA BIFASCIATUM (PISCES: LABRIDAE). 1. MANIPULATIONS OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE IN TESTS FOR ADAPTIVE SHIFTS OF LIFE-HISTORY ALLOCATIONS

Optimal-life-history theory is based on the relative benefit of immediate versus future reproduction. We apply this theory to the life-history tactics of female Thalassoma bifasciatum, a sex-changing coral-reef fish. Local social structure varies in this species and influences a female's chances of achieving high future reproductive success as a territorial terminal-phase male. We predicted that female life-history allocations would be flexible and responsive to variation in future reproductive prospects. We altered population size structure on four reefs, removing large fish and adding small fish. These alterations enhanced the residual reproductive value of the remaining larger female residents. The predicted response to the manipulation was a reduction in reproductive activity and an increase in growth. Our results do not support this hypothesis. Possible interpretations are that: 1) the theory, or our application of the theory, is flawed; 2) female Thalassoma are unresponsive to changes in future reproductive prospects; or 3) the design of our study was ineffectual at detecting a response. We report here an approach to the study of adaptive life-history strategies that deserves implementation in other systems.     

Hypomorphic Smn knockdown C2C12 myoblasts reveal intrinsic defects in myoblast fusion and myotube morphology

Dosage of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein has been directly correlated with the severity of disease in patients diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). It is also clear that SMA is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of the alpha-motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord and atrophy of the associated skeletal muscle. What is more controversial is whether it is neuronal and/or muscle-cell-autonomous defects that are responsible for the disease per se. Although motor neuron degeneration is generally accepted as the primary event in SMA, intrinsic muscle defects in this disease have not been ruled out. To gain a better understanding of the influence of SMN protein dosage in muscle, we have generated a hypomorphic series of myoblast (C2C12) stable cell lines with variable Smn knockdown. We show that depletion of Smn in these cells resulted in a decrease in the number of nuclear 'gems' (gemini of coiled bodies), reduced proliferation with no increase in cell death, defects in myoblast fusion, and malformed myotubes. Importantly, the severity of these abnormalities is directly correlated with the decrease in Smn dosage. Taken together, our work supports the view that there is an intrinsic defect in skeletal muscle cells of SMA patients and that this defect contributes to the overall pathogenesis in this devastating disease.