TNF-α通过ERK和MAPK信号途径抑制猪骨骼肌成肌细胞分化

研究肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα-)对猪骨骼肌成肌细胞分化的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制。原代培养猪骨骼肌成肌细胞,通过倒置显微镜定性观察细胞分化的形态学变化;生肌指数和肌酸激酶(CK)活性定量分析成肌细胞分化程度;细胞免疫化学法分析肌球蛋白重链(MyHC)的蛋白表达情况;采用特异性抑制剂探讨TNFα-可能的作用信号途径。结果显示:在猪骨骼肌成肌细胞分化过程中,外源性TNFα-减少细胞核融合和肌管形成;浓度依赖性地显著降低生肌指数和CK活性(P<0.05);并显著抑制MyHC蛋白表达(P<0.05);TNFα- SB205380或TNFα- PD98059处理组与TNFα-处理组相比,其CK活性和myogenin蛋白表达显著回升(P<0.05)。结果表明:TNFα-抑制猪骨骼肌成肌细胞分化,并且这种作用可能是通过激活细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)和促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号转导通路实现的。研究结果暗示TNFα-在猪骨骼肌成肌细胞分化过程中可能具有重要作用。     

高表达FoxO1抑制猪骨骼肌成肌细胞的分化

FoxO1(Forkhead box O1)是调控肌肉生长、代谢和细胞分化的重要转录因子,但其在成肌细胞分化中的作用还不甚清楚。为了研究FoxO1对哺乳动物成肌细胞分化的影响,以原代培养的长白仔猪成肌细胞作为实验材料,用2%马血清诱导分化,采用实时荧光定量PCR、Western blotting和脂质体转染等方法检测FoxO1及早期和晚期生肌调节因子MyoD和myogenin在猪成肌细胞分化过程中的表达变化。结果显示,在猪成肌细胞分化过程中,FoxO1mRNA表达量显著增加,但总蛋白量变化不显著,其磷酸化水平显著上调。同时,高表达FoxO1的猪成肌细胞中,生肌调节因子MyoD和myogenin mRNA表达受到显著抑制,而MyoD蛋白变化不显著,myogenin却显著下调(P0.05)。以上结果表明,FoxO1能够推迟猪成肌细胞的分化时间并抑制分化;同时推测,FoxO1可能通过抑制生肌调节因子的表达控制骨骼肌纤维类型的终末分化。     

黄芩素对猪前体脂肪细胞增殖分化的影响

研究黄芩素(BAI)对猪前体脂肪细胞增殖分化的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制。原代培养猪前体脂肪细胞,采用油红O染色观察细胞分化的形态学变化;MTT检测细胞增殖状况;油红O染色提取定量分析细胞内脂肪生成及细胞分化程度;分光光度法测定脂肪酸合酶(FAS)的活性;逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测分化特异基因过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ2(PPARγ2)mRNA表达变化。结果显示,前体脂肪细胞在分化成脂肪细胞的过程中,其形态由梭形变成椭圆形、圆形,细胞内充满大小不一的脂滴;BAI浓度在160～640μmol/L时显著抑制其增殖(P<0.05)、BAI浓度为40～320μmol/L时显著抑制PPARγ2mRNA表达和FAS的活性,并抑制细胞分化(P<0.05)。以上结果说明,BAI对前体脂肪细胞增殖分化均有一定抑制作用,BAI可能通过抑制PPARγ2mRNA表达和降低FAS活性,从而抑制猪前体脂肪细胞分化。     

瘦素(Leptin )对猪前体脂肪细胞分化及PGC-1α和UCPs mRNA表达的影响

 以体外培养的猪前体脂肪细胞为研究对象,分析瘦素(leptin )对前体脂肪细胞分化及能量代谢相关基因PGC- 1α和UCPs mRNA表达的影响.油红O染色提取结果显示,10～90nmol/L的leptin对猪前体脂肪细胞甘油三酯合成均无显著影响(P>0.05).RT-PCR检测结果表明,30　nmol/L和100nmol/L leptin可显著促进LPL mRNA表达,处理24 h较12 h 作用效果明显(P<0.05);两个浓度的leptin对脂肪细胞分化转录因子C/EBPα和PPARγ2在mRNA水平上均没有明显的影响(P>0.05).对能量代谢相关基因的RT-PCR检测结果表明,30 nmol/L 和100nmol/L leptin 可显著促进PGC-1α和UCP3转录 (P<0.05),30nmol/L leptin可明显提高前脂肪细胞中UCP2 mRNA水平(P<0.05),且作用24h促进效果明显优于12h处理(P<0.05).研究结果提示,leptin不影响猪前体脂肪细胞分化,但可能通过上调PGC-1α和UCPs转录,促进能量消耗.     

miR-143-3p促进C2C12成肌细胞分化

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) 是一类小非编码RNA,近年研究发现其在骨骼肌发育调控中发挥重要作用.为探明miR-143-3p在C2C12成肌细胞分化中的调控作用,采用 real-time PCR 检测了miR-143-3p在小鼠各组织及C2C12成肌细胞分化过程中的表达;使用miR-143-3p 的模拟物和特异性抑制剂分别处理细胞,采用 real-time PCR 和 Western印迹分别检测成肌因子 MyoG和成肌标志基因 MyHC mRNA和蛋白水平的变化;用免疫荧光染色的方法观察肌管的形成.结果显示,miR-143-3p在小鼠各组织中均有表达,并且随着细胞分化表达量逐渐增加;C2C12成肌细胞过表达 miR-143-3p,与对照组相比,成肌调控因子MyoG和成肌标志基因MyHC 的mRNA和蛋白表达均显著升高,肌管数量明显增多;抑制剂处理结果显示,细胞分化被显著抑制.检测miR-143-3p对MyHC各亚型表达的影响发现,miR-143-3p表达的变化并不直接影响MyHC各亚型的表达.以上结果说明, miR-143-3p在骨骼肌和成肌细胞中均有表达,能够促进C2C12成肌细胞分化,但并不直接调控MyHCs的表达.     

外源性重组人睫状神经营养因子抑制成人成肌细胞的体外分化

为探讨外源性重组人睫状神经营养因子(rhCNTF)在成肌细胞分化中的作用,实验观察了0-10 ng/mlrhCNTF对成人成肌细胞体外分化的影响。结果表明,与对照组相比,2.5-10 ng/ml rhCNTF能显著抑制成肌细胞的体外分化(P<0.01),并呈量-效依赖关系,且这种抑制作用是可逆的。Western Blot分析提示,这种抑制作用伴有成肌细胞分化期特异标志myogenin和p21表达量的显著降低(P<0.01),以及成肌细胞增殖期特异标志myf5和desmin表达量的显著增加(P<0.01)。因此可以认为,外源性rhCNTF能可逆地抑制成人成肌细胞的体外分化并保持增殖。     

lncRNA TCONS_00815878对猪骨骼肌卫星细胞分化的影响

猪骨骼肌发育是一个复杂的生物学过程,其中骨骼肌卫星细胞分化是影响骨骼肌发育的重要环节。近年来发现长链非编码RNA (long non-coding RNA, lncRNA)在骨骼肌卫星细胞分化中具有重要作用。为探究lncRNA TCONS_00815878对猪骨骼肌卫星细胞分化的影响,本研究利用qRT-PCR技术检测出生7 d内大白仔猪6种组织(心脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、背肌和腿肌)及从胚胎期到出生后5个不同时间点(35 d、45 d、55 d胚胎及产后第7 d和第200 d后腿肌肉组织) TCONS_00815878的表达情况;利用反义核苷酸(antisense oligonucleotides, ASO)在猪骨骼肌卫星细胞中敲低TCONS_00815878,检验分化标记基因MyoD、MyoG和MyHC表达情况;通过生物信息学分析预测TCONS_00815878靶基因,并利用DAVID软件在线预测其靶基因的功能与通路。结果表明:TCONS_00815878在猪心肌和腿肌中高表达;仔猪出生后7 d内,TCONS_00815878在猪肌肉组织中表达量不断升高,第7 d达到高峰;在猪骨骼肌卫星细胞增殖和分化过程中,TCONS_00815878在分化期表达量不断上升,且在分化30 h表达量达到峰值;敲低TCONS_00815878后,MyoD、MyoG和MyHC基因表达量降低,其中MyoD表达量显著下降(P0.05)。此外,功能预测结果发现,其靶基因富集到糖酵解和丙酮酸代谢等与骨骼肌卫星细胞分化相关的多个生物学过程。本研究推测,lncRNA TCONS_00815878可能对猪骨骼肌卫星细胞的分化起促进作用。     

过表达miR-155抑制C2C12成肌分化

为明确miR-155在C2C12成肌分化中的作用及分子机制,本研究构建了miR-155过表达腺病毒载体,运用过表达miR-155的腺病毒感染C2C12,并诱导其成肌分化。通过形态学观察,成肌标志基因mRNA和蛋白表达水平的检测,以及双荧光素酶报告基因系统对预测的miR-155靶基因(TCF4)的验证,结果表明,C2C12细胞分化中,过表达miR-155明显降低了肌管的形成,成肌标志基因MyoG和MyHC的mRNA表达量极显著地下降(P0.01),而MyoD差异不显著(P0.05),成肌标志基因蛋白检测结果与mRNA检测结果一致;进一步研究显示miR-155与预测的TCF4基因的3'UTR 3个靶点(1487-1493,1516-1522,4532-4583)中的1个(4532-4538)结合,并发现过表达miR-155显著降低了TCF4的mRNA水平(P0.05)。表明miR-155可能通过靶向TCF4抑制C2C12成肌分化。     

花生四烯酸细胞色素P450ω羟化酶Cyp4a14基因敲除对骨骼肌损伤后再生的影响

本研究旨在探讨花生四烯酸细胞色素P450ω羟化酶CYP4A14在骨骼肌损伤后再生中的作用及其机制。在野生型(wildtype, WT)对照小鼠和Cyp4a14基因敲除(Cyp4a14 knockout, A14-/-)小鼠胫骨前肌注射心脏毒素(cardiotoxin, CTX)制备骨骼肌损伤模型。损伤后0、3、5和15天取双侧胫骨前肌,麦胚凝集素(wheat germ agglutinin, WGA)染色和天狼猩红染色观察损伤骨骼肌再生和纤维化程度,免疫组织化学染色观察细胞增殖相关蛋白Ki-67和巨噬细胞标志蛋白Mac-2的表达,real-time PCR检测骨骼肌中再生相关基因和炎症相关基因的表达。结果显示,损伤后15天时A14-/-小鼠的新生肌纤维横截面面积显著小于WT小鼠(P0.05),间质纤维化多于WT小鼠(P0.05)。损伤后5天时A14-/-小鼠骨骼肌中Ki-67+增殖细胞的比例少于WT小鼠,与肌母细胞分化相关基因Myod1和Myog的表达也显著低于WT小鼠(P 0.05)。损伤后3天时A14-/-小鼠骨骼肌中CD45和CD11b基因mRNA表达水平以及Mac-2+巨噬细胞比例显著低于WT小鼠(P 0.05),同时巨噬细胞分泌的促进肌母细胞增殖和分化的细胞因子IL-1β、IGF-1和SDF-1的表达也显著低于WT小鼠(P 0.05)。这些结果表明花生四烯酸细胞色素P450ω羟化酶CYP4A14在骨骼肌损伤后再生的过程中发挥重要作用。     

高糖条件下小鼠巨噬细胞对骨骼肌细胞成肌分化和胰岛素敏感性的影响*

目的: 探讨高糖环境下小鼠巨噬细胞对骨骼肌细胞成肌分化和胰岛素敏感性的影响。方法: Transwell小室内共培养小鼠骨骼肌成肌细胞C2C12细胞和单核巨噬细胞RAW264.7细胞并给予60 mmol/L葡萄糖处理,结合培养条件随机分为单独培养对照组(SC组,n=12)、共培养对照组(CC组,n=12)、单独培养高糖组(SH组,n=12)和共培养高糖组(CH组,n=12)。相差显微镜观察细胞形态,共培养1 d和3 d后收集C2C12细胞,CCK-8检测细胞活性,免疫荧光技术检测细胞融合率和基础与胰岛素刺激的GLUT4蛋白表达,实时定量PCR检测成肌调节因子Myf5、MyoD和myogenin基因表达,2-NBDG法检测细胞基础和胰岛素刺激的糖摄取。结果: 正常糖浓度下,与RAW264.7细胞共培养促进C2C12细胞肌管形成,促进E-MHC蛋白表达(P＜0.01),促进MyoD和myogenin基因表达(P＜0.05),提高胰岛素刺激的2-NBDG摄取(P＜0.05),提高基础GLUT4水平(P＜0.05)。高糖刺激抑制C2C12细胞肌管形成,抑制成肌调节因子基因表达,抑制2-NBDG摄取,抑制GLUT4表达(P＜0.05)。高糖环境下与RAW264.7细胞共培养时未见明显肌管形成,与共培养对照组和单独培养高糖组相比,细胞活性、E-MHC蛋白水平、成肌调节因子基因水平、2-NBDG摄取和GLUT4蛋白水平均明显下降(P＜0.05)。结论: 与RAW264.7共培养促进C2C12成肌分化并提高胰岛素敏感性, 高糖条件处理这一作用可逆转,抑制C2C12成肌分化的同时诱发C2C12细胞胰岛素抵抗。     

Absence of Functional Leptin Receptor Isoforms in the POUND (Leprdb/lb) Mouse Is Associated with Muscle Atrophy and Altered Myoblast Proliferation and Differentiation

Objective

Leptin receptors are abundant in human skeletal muscle, but the role of leptin in muscle growth, development and aging is not well understood. Here we utilized a novel mouse model lacking all functional leptin receptor isoforms (POUND mouse, Lepr^db/lb) to determine the role of leptin in skeletal muscle.

Methods and Findings

Skeletal muscle mass and fiber diameters were examined in POUND mice, and primary myoblast cultures were used to determine the effects of altered leptin signaling on myoblast proliferation and differentiation. ELISA assays, integrated pathway analysis of mRNA microarrays, and reverse phase protein analysis were performed to identify signaling pathways impacted by leptin receptor deficiency. Results show that skeletal muscle mass and fiber diameter are reduced 30–40% in POUND mice relative to wild-type controls. Primary myoblast cultures demonstrate decreased proliferation and decreased expression of both MyoD and myogenin in POUND mice compared to normal mice. Leptin treatment increased proliferation in primary myoblasts from muscles of both adult (12 months) and aged (24 months) wild-type mice, and leptin increased expression of MyoD and myogenin in aged primary myoblasts. ELISA assays and protein arrays revealed altered expression of molecules associated with the IGF-1/Akt and MAPK/MEK signaling pathways in muscle from the hindlimbs of mice lacking functional leptin receptors.

Conclusion

These data support the hypothesis that the adipokine leptin is a key factor important for the regulation of skeletal muscle mass, and that leptin can act directly on its receptors in peripheral tissues to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation.     

Leptin promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation in porcine skeletal myoblasts

Leptin, a major regulator of body weight, was recently suggested to play a role in myoblasts. We conducted an experiment to determine whether leptin can influence the proliferation and differentiation of porcine skeletal myoblasts. Myoblasts occurred in non-leptin and leptin forms in various concentrations for various periods of cell states. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assays demonstrated that leptin significantly promoted myoblast proliferation and increased cell accumulation in the S + G2/M phase, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in morphologic experiments, the formation of myotubes and the myogenic index was markedly reduced by leptin. In addition, biochemical analysis showed that leptin decreased creatine kinase (CK) activity and the amount of myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) protein. Taking all this together, our study indicated that exogenous leptin promoted proliferation but inhibited differentiation in porcine skeletal myoblasts, suggesting that leptin might be an important mediator in the regulation of the growth and development of muscle cells.     

Transforming Growth Factor-��-activated Kinase 1 Is an Essential Regulator of Myogenic Differentiation

Satellite cells/myoblasts account for the majority of muscle regenerative potential in response to injury and muscular adaptation to exercise. Although the ability to influence this process would provide valuable benefits for treating a variety of patients suffering from muscle loss, the regulatory mechanisms of myogenesis are not completely understood. We have tested the hypothesis that transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is an important regulator of skeletal muscle formation. TAK1 is expressed in proliferating C2C12 myoblasts, and its levels are reduced upon differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes. In vivo, TAK1 is predominantly expressed in developing skeletal muscle of young mice. However, the expression of TAK1 was significantly up-regulated in regenerating skeletal muscle of adult mice. Overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of TAK1 or knockdown of TAK1 inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. TAK1 was required for the expression of myogenic regulatory factors in differentiating myoblasts. Genetic ablation of TAK1 also inhibited the MyoD-driven transformation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts into myotubes. Inhibition of TAK1 suppressed the differentiation-associated activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt kinase. Overexpression of a constitutively active mutant of MAPK kinase 6 (MKK6, an upstream activator of p38 MAPK) but not constitutive active Akt restored the myogenic differentiation in TAK1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Insulin growth factor 1-induced myogenic differentiation was also found to involve TAK1. Collectively, our results suggest that TAK1 is an important upstream regulator of skeletal muscle cell differentiation.     

Dedifferentiation of adult human myoblasts induced by ciliary neurotrophic factor in vitro

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is primarily known for its important cellular effects within the nervous system. However, recent studies indicate that its receptor can be highly expressed in denervated skeletal muscle. Here, we investigated the direct effect of CNTF on skeletal myoblasts of adult human. Surprisingly, we found that CNTF induced the myogenic lineage-committed myoblasts at a clonal level to dedifferentiate into multipotent progenitor cells--they not only could proliferate for over 20 passages with the expression absence of myogenic specific factors Myf5 and MyoD, but they were also capable of differentiating into new phenotypes, mainly neurons, glial cells, smooth muscle cells, and adipocytes. These "progenitor cells" retained their myogenic memory and were capable of redifferentiating into myotubes. Furthermore, CNTF could activate the p44/p42 MAPK and down-regulate the expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). Finally, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of p44/p42 MAPK pathway, was able to abolish the effects of CNTF on both myoblast fate and MRF expression. Our results demonstrate the myogenic lineage-committed human myoblasts can dedifferentiate at a clonal level and CNTF is a novel regulator of skeletal myoblast dedifferentiation via p44/p42 MAPK pathway.     

Amphoterin stimulates myogenesis and counteracts the antimyogenic factors basic fibroblast growth factor and S100B via RAGE binding

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), a multiligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, has been implicated in the inflammatory response, diabetic angiopathy and neuropathy, neurodegeneration, cell migration, tumor growth, neuroprotection, and neuronal differentiation. We show here that (i) RAGE is expressed in skeletal muscle tissue and its expression is developmentally regulated and (ii) RAGE engagement by amphoterin (HMGB1), a RAGE ligand, in rat L6 myoblasts results in stimulation of myogenic differentiation via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), up-regulation of myogenin and myosin heavy chain expression, and induction of muscle creatine kinase. No such effects were detected in myoblasts transfected with a RAGE mutant lacking the transducing domain or myoblasts transfected with a constitutively inactive form of the p38 MAPK upstream kinase, MAPK kinase 6, Cdc42, or Rac-1. Moreover, amphoterin counteracted the antimyogenic activity of the Ca(2+)-modulated protein S100B, which was reported to inhibit myogenic differentiation via inactivation of p38 MAPK, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a known inhibitor of myogenic differentiation, in a manner that was inversely related to the S100B or bFGF concentration and directly related to the extent of RAGE expression. These data suggest that RAGE and amphoterin might play an important role in myogenesis, accelerating myogenic differentiation via Cdc42-Rac-1-MAPK kinase 6-p38 MAPK.     

Skeletal muscle cell activation by low-energy laser irradiation: a role for the MAPK/ERK pathway

Low-energy laser irradiation (LELI) has been shown to promote skeletal muscle regeneration in vivo and to activate skeletal muscle satellite cells, enhance their proliferation and inhibit differentiation in vitro. In the present study, LELI, as well as the addition of serum to serum-starved myoblasts, restored their proliferation, whereas myogenic differentiation remained low. LELI induced mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) phosphorylation with no effect on its expression in serum-starved myoblasts. Moreover, a specific MAPK kinase inhibitor (PD098059) inhibited the LELI- and 10% serummediated ERK1/2 activation. However, LELI did not affect Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) or p38 MAPK phosphorylation or protein expression. Whereas a 3-sec irradiation induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, a 12-sec irradiation reduced it, again with no effect on JNK or p38. Moreover, LELI had distinct effects on receptor phosphorylation: it caused phosphorylation of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, previously shown to activate the MAPK/ERK pathway, whereas no effect was observed on tumor suppressor necrosis alpha (TNF-alpha) receptor which activates the p38 and JNK pathways. Therefore, by specifically activating MAPK/ERK, but not JNK and p38 MAPK enzymes, probably by specific receptor phosphorylation, LELI induces the activation and proliferation of quiescent satellite cells and delays their differentiation.     

Proinflammatory macrophages impair skeletal muscle differentiation in obesity through secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α via sustained activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Obesity is associated with skeletal muscle loss and impaired myogenesis. Increased infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages in skeletal muscle is noted in obesity and is associated with muscle insulin resistance. However, whether the infiltrated macrophages can contribute to obesity-induced muscle loss is unclear. In this study, we investigate macrophage and muscle differentiation markers in the quadriceps (QC), gastrocnemius, tibia anterior, and soleus muscles from obese mice that were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Then, we examined the effect and mediator of macrophage-secreted factors on myoblast differentiation in vitro. We found markedly increased levels of proinflammatory macrophage markers (F4/80 and CD11c) in the QC muscle compared with the other three muscle groups. Consistent with the increased levels of proinflammatory macrophage infiltration, the QC muscle also showed a significant reduction in the expression of muscle differentiation makers MYOD1 and myosin heavy chain. In in vitro studies, treatment of C2C12 myoblasts with Raw 264.7 macrophage-conditioned medium (CM) significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited myoblast differentiation. Neutralization of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in Raw 264.7 macrophage CM reversed the reduction of myoblast differentiation. Finally, we found that both macrophage CM and TNF-α induced sustained activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in C2C12 myoblasts. Together, our findings suggest that the increased infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages could contribute toward obesity-induced muscle loss by secreting inflammatory cytokine TNF-α via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.     

Active Ras-induced effects on skeletal myoblast differentiation and apoptosis are independent of constitutive PI3-kinase activity

23A2 myoblasts expressing GAP-resistant, constitutively active G12V:H-Ras (A2:G12V:H-Ras myoblasts) display a transformed morphology and do not undergo mitogen-deprivation-induced differentiation or the associated apoptosis. To determine the phenotype induced by F156L:H-Ras, a constitutively active mutant with enhanced nucleotide exchange activity rather than impaired GAP-stimulated GTPase activity, myoblast cell lines were established that stably express F156L:H-Ras at levels of H-Ras comparable to the A2:G12V:H-Ras myoblasts. These A2:F156L:H-Ras myoblast cell lines do not possess a transformed morphology, and while differentiation and apoptosis are impaired, these processes are not abrogated as in the A2:G12V:H-Ras myoblasts. Surprisingly, while expression of either G12V:H-Ras or F156L:H-Ras results in constitutive signaling through PI3-kinase, only cells expressing G12V:H-Ras additionally possess constitutive signaling through MAPK, and NFkappaB. Pharmacological abrogation of the Ras-induced constitutive PI3-kinase signal, however, is not responsible for the impaired differentiation or apoptosis in either A2:G12V:H-Ras myoblasts or A2:F156L:H-Ras myoblasts. Thus, our data suggest that a pathway distinct from those that signals through MAPK, NFkappaB or PI3-kinase is responsible for the impaired differentiation and apoptosis in 23A2 skeletal myoblasts expressing constitutively active Ras.     

Leptin expression in human primary skeletal muscle cells is reduced during differentiation

We found leptin to be strongly expressed in undifferentiated human myoblasts derived from biopsies of the thigh (Musculus vastus lateralis). Both mRNA expression and secretion of leptin were reduced during in vitro differentiation into primary myotubes. However, the expression of the leptin receptor (OB-Rb) mRNA, was unchanged during differentiation of the muscle cells. Administration of recombinant leptin had no effect on leptin, myogenin, myoD, or GLUT4 mRNA expressions during the period of cellular differentiation. A functional leptin receptor was demonstrated by an acute leptin-induced 1.5-fold increase in ERK activity (P = 0.029). Although mRNA expression of regulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) mRNA expression was unaltered, leptin significantly stimulated fatty acid oxidation after 6 h measured as acid soluble metabolites (ASM). Palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), known to modulate leptin expression in other tissues, had no effect on mRNA expression or secretion of leptin from human myotubes. In conclusion, we demonstrate that leptin is highly expressed in undifferentiated human myoblasts and the expression is reduced during differentiation to mature myotubes. The role of leptin in these cells needs to be further characterized.