The mRNAs encoding acidic FGF, basic FGF and FGF receptor are coordinately downregulated during myogenic differentiation

Differentiation and Maturation of Muscle and Fat Cells in Cultivated Seafood: Lessons from Developmental Biology

Cultivated meat, also known as cultured or cell-based meat, is meat produced directly from cultured animal cells rather than from a whole animal. Cultivated meat and seafood have been proposed as a means of mitigating the substantial harms associated with current production methods, including damage to the environment, antibiotic resistance, food security challenges, poor animal welfare, and-in the case of seafood-overfishing and ecological damage associated with fishing and aquaculture. Because biomedical tissue engineering research, from which cultivated meat draws a great deal of inspiration, has thus far been conducted almost exclusively in mammals, cultivated seafood suffers from a lack of established protocols for producing complex tissues in vitro. At the same time, fish such as the zebrafish Danio rerio have been widely used as model organisms in developmental biology. Therefore, many of the mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the formation of muscle, fat, and other relevant tissue are relatively well understood for this species. The same processes are understood to a lesser degree in aquatic invertebrates. This review discusses the differentiation and maturation of meat-relevant cell types in aquatic species and makes recommendations for future research aimed at recapitulating these processes to produce cultivated fish and shellfish.

Pluripotency and Growth Factors in Early Embryonic Development of Mammals: A Comparative Approach

The regulation of early events in mammalian embryonic development is a complex process. In the early stages, pluripotency, cellular differentiation, and growth should occur at specific times and these events are regulated by different genes that are expressed at specific times and locations. The genes related to pluripotency and cellular differentiation, and growth factors that determine successful embryonic development are different (or differentially expressed) among mammalian species. Some genes are fundamental for controlling pluripotency in some species but less fundamental in others, for example, Oct4 is particularly relevant in bovine early embryonic development, whereas Oct4 inhibition does not affect ovine early embryonic development. In addition, some mechanisms that regulate cellular differentiation do not seem to be clear or evolutionarily conserved. After cellular differentiation, growth factors are relevant in early development, and their effects also differ among species, for example, insulin-like growth factor improves the blastocyst development rate in some species but does not have the same effect in mice. Some growth factors influence genes related to pluripotency, and therefore, their role in early embryo development is not limited to cell growth but could also involve the earliest stages of development. In this review, we summarize the differences among mammalian species regarding the regulation of pluripotency, cellular differentiation, and growth factors in the early stages of embryonic development.

Transcriptome profile of skeletal muscle at different developmental stages in Large White and Mashen pigs

From the perspectives of promoting individual growth and development, increasing pork yield, and improving feed utilization, it is desirable to screen candidate genes underlying pig muscle growth and regulation. In this study, we investigated transcriptome differences at 1, 90, and 180 d of age in Large White and Mashen pigs, characterized differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and screened candidate genes affecting skeletal muscle growth and development. RNA-seq was applied to analyze the transcriptome of the longissimus dorsi (LD) in the two breeds. In LD samples from the two breeds at three growth stages, 7215, 6332, 237, 3935, 3404, and 846 DEGs were obtained for L01 vs. L90, L01 vs. L180, L90 vs. L180, MS01 vs. MS90, MS01 vs. MS180, and MS90 vs. MS180, respectively. Significant tendencies in DEG expression could be grouped into eight profiles. Based on the functional analysis of DEGs, 16 candidate genes related to skeletal muscle growth and development were identified, including PCK2, GNAS, ADCY2, PRKAB1, PRKAB2, PRKAG1, PRKAG2, PHKA1, PHKA2, PHKG1, PHKG2, ITPR3, IGF1R, FGFR4, FGF1, and FGF18. The results of this study thus provide a theoretical basis for the mechanisms and candidate genes underlying skeletal muscle development in pigs.

Sp3 controls fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 gene activity during myogenic differentiation

Fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF/FGFR) signaling is a critical component in the regulation of myoblast proliferation and differentiation. The transient FGFR4 gene expression during the transition from proliferating myoblasts to differentiated myotubes indicates that FGFR4 regulates this critical phase of myogenesis. The Specificity Protein (SP) family of transcription factors controls FGFR family member gene activity. We sought to determine if members of the Sp family regulate mouse FGFR4 gene activity during myogenic differentiation. RT-PCR and western blot analysis of FGFR4 mRNA and protein revealed transient expression over 72h, with peak expression between 24 and 36h after addition of differentiation medium to C₂C₁₂ myogenic cultures. Sp3 also displayed a transient expression pattern with peak expression occurring after 6h of differentiation. We cloned a 1527bp fragment of the mouse FGFR4 promoter into a luciferase reporter. This FGFR4 promoter contains eight putative Sp binding sites and directed luciferase gene activity comparable to native FGFR4 expression. Overexpression of Sp1 and Sp3 showed that Sp1 repressed FGFR4 gene activity, and Sp3 activated FGFR4 gene activity during myogenic differentiation. Mutational analyses of multiple Sp binding sites within the FGFR4 promoter revealed that three of these sites were transcriptionally active. Electromobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation of the area containing the activator sites showed that Sp3 bound to this promoter location.

Myogenic Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells That Lack a Functional Pax7 Gene

The transcription factor Pax7 plays a key role during embryonic myogenesis and sustains the proper function of satellite cells, which serve as adult skeletal muscle stem cells. Overexpression of Pax7 has been shown to promote the myogenic differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. However, the effects of the absence of functional Pax7 in differentiating embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have not yet been directly tested. Herein, we studied mouse stem cells that lacked a functional Pax7 gene and characterized the differentiation of these stem cells under conditions that promoted the derivation of myoblasts in vitro. We analyzed the expression of myogenic factors, such as myogenic regulatory factors and muscle-specific microRNAs, in wild-type and mutant cells. Finally, we compared the transcriptome of both types of cells and did not find substantial differences in the expression of genes related to the regulation of myogenesis. As a result, we showed that the absence of functional Pax7 does not prevent the in vitro myogenic differentiation of ESCs.

Expression and methylation of FGF2, TGF-β and their downstream mediators during different developmental stages of leg muscles in chicken

A number of growth factors determine the proliferation of myoblasts and therefore the number of ultimate myofibers. The members of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family and the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) have profound effects on skeletal myoblasts proliferation in various animal systems. To investigate their involvement in different stages of avian skeletal muscle development in vivo, we detected the mRNA expression and DNA methylation profiles of TGF-β2, TGF-β3, FGF2 and their downstream mediators in leg muscles at embryonic day 10, day of hatch and day 45 posthatch, using both Arbor Acres meat-type and White Leghorn egg-type chickens. By real-time PCR, we found that the expression levels of TGF-β2, TGF-β3, Smad3 and FGF2 were significantly (P≤0.01) higher at embryonic day 10, a developmental window of abundant fetal myoblasts expansion, by comparison to day of hatch and day 45 posthatch. The methylation status of the 5' end region of these four genes was examined subsequently. A section of a CpG island in the 5' end region of FGF2 was significantly hypomethylated (P≤0.01) at embryonic day 10, compared with neonatal and postnatal stages in both stocks. Our results suggested that TGF-β2, TGF-β3, Smad3 and FGF2 may play important roles in fetal myoblasts proliferation in chicken hindlimb, and the transcription of FGF2 in this wave of myogenesis could be affected by DNA methylation in 5' flanking region. These outcomes contribute to our knowledge of the growth factors in avian myogenesis. Further investigation is needed to confirm and fully understand their functions in fetal limb myogenesis in birds.

Gene expression modifications in Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells promoted by prolonged in vitro culturing

BACKGROUND

It has been demonstrated that the umbilical cord matrix, represented by the Wharton's Jelly (WJ), contains a great number of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), characterized by the expression of specific MSCs markers, shared by both human and animal models. The easy access to massive WJ amount makes it an attractive source of MSCs for cell-based therapies. However, as in other stem cell models, a deeper investigation of WJ-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) biological properties, probably modulated by their prolonged expansion and fast growth abilities, is required before their use in clinical settings. In this context, in order to analyze specific gene expression modifications occurring in WJ-MSCs, along with their culture prolongation, we investigated the transcriptomic profiles of WJ-MSCs after 4 and 12 passages of in vitro expansion by microarray analysis.

RESULTS

Hierarchical clustering analysis of the data set originated from a total of 6 experiments revealed that in vitro expansion of WJ-MSCs up to 12 passages promote selective over-expression of 157 genes and down-regulation of 440 genes compared to the 4th passage. IPA software analysis of the biological functions related to the identified sets of genes disclosed several transcripts related to inflammatory and cell stress response, cell proliferation and maturation, and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these modifications may lead to an impairment of both cell expansion ability and resistance to apoptosis, two hallmarks of aging cells. In conclusion, results provided by the present study suggest the need to develop novel culture protocols able to preserve stem cell plasticity.

Multi-protein delivery by nanodiamonds promotes bone formation

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are well-studied regulators of cartilage and bone development that have been Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the promotion of bone formation in certain procedures. BMPs are seeing more use in oral and maxillofacial surgeries because of recent FDA approval of InFUSE(®) for sinus augmentation and localized alveolar ridge augmentation. However, the utility of BMPs in medical and dental applications is limited by the delivery method. Currently, BMPs are delivered to the surgical site by the implantation of bulky collagen sponges. Here we evaluate the potential of detonation nanodiamonds (NDs) as a delivery vehicle for BMP-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Nanodiamonds are biocompatible, 4- to 5-nm carbon nanoparticles that have previously been used to deliver a wide variety of molecules, including proteins and peptides. We find that both BMP-2 and bFGF are readily loaded onto NDs by physisorption, forming a stable colloidal solution, and are triggered to release in slightly acidic conditions. Simultaneous delivery of BMP-2 and bFGF by ND induces differentiation and proliferation in osteoblast progenitor cells. Overall, we find that NDs provide an effective injectable alternative for the delivery of BMP-2 and bFGF to promote bone formation.

Repression of myoblast proliferation and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 promoter activity by KLF10 protein

BACKGROUND

FGFR1 gene expression regulates myoblast proliferation and differentiation, and its expression is controlled by Krüppel-like transcription factors.

RESULTS

KLF10 interacts with the FGFR1 promoter, repressing its activity and cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

KLF10 represses FGFR1 promoter activity and thereby myoblast proliferation.

SIGNIFICANCE

A model of transcriptional control of chicken FGFR1 gene regulation during myogenesis is presented. Skeletal muscle development is controlled by regulation of myoblast proliferation and differentiation into muscle fibers. Growth factors such as fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) regulate cell proliferation and differentiation in numerous tissues, including skeletal muscle. Transcriptional regulation of FGFR1 gene expression is developmentally regulated by the Sp1 transcription factor, a member of the Krüppel-like factor (KLF) family of transcriptional regulators. Here, we show that another KLF transcription factor, KLF10, also regulates myoblast proliferation and FGFR1 promoter activity. Expression of KLF10 reduced myoblast proliferation by 86%. KLF10 expression also significantly reduced FGFR1 promoter activity in myoblasts and Sp1-mediated FGFR1 promoter activity in Drosophila SL2 cells. Southwestern blot, electromobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that KLF10 bound to the proximal Sp factor binding site of the FGFR1 promoter and reduced Sp1 complex formation with the FGFR1 promoter at that site. These results indicate that KLF10 is an effective repressor of myoblast proliferation and represses FGFR1 promoter activity in these cells via an Sp1 binding site.

Myogenesis and rhabdomyosarcoma the Jekyll and Hyde of skeletal muscle

Rhabdomyosarcoma, a neoplasm composed of skeletal myoblast-like cells, represents the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. The application of intensive chemotherapeutics and refined surgical and radiation therapy approaches have improved survival for children with localized disease over the past 3 decades; however, these approaches have not improved the dismal outcome for children with metastatic and recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma. Elegant studies have defined the molecular mechanisms driving skeletal muscle lineage commitment and differentiation, and the machinery that couples differentiation with irreversible cell proliferation arrest. Further, detailed molecular analyses indicate that rhabdomyosarcoma cells have lost the capacity to fully differentiate when challenged to do so in experimental models. We review the intersection of normal skeletal muscle developmental biology and the molecular genetic defects in rhabdomyosarcoma with the underlying premise that understanding how the differentiation process has gone awry will lead to new treatment strategies aimed at promoting myogenic differentiation and concomitant cell cycle arrest.

Heparin mimicking polymer promotes myogenic differentiation of muscle progenitor cells

Heparin and heparan sulfate mediated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) signaling plays an important role in skeletal muscle homeostasis by maintaining a balance between proliferation and differentiation of muscle progenitor cells. In this study we investigate the role of a synthetic mimic of heparin, poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), on myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Exogenous supplementation of PSS increased the differentiation of C2C12 cells in a dose-dependent manner, while the formation of multinucleated myotubes exhibited a nonmonotonic dependence with the concentration of PSS. Our results further suggest that one possible mechanism by which PSS promotes myogenic differentiation is by downregulating the mitogen activated extracellular regulated signaling kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway. The binding ability of PSS to bFGF was found to be comparable to heparin through molecular docking calculations and by native PAGE. Such synthetic heparin mimics could offer a cost-effective alternative to heparin and also reduce the risk associated with batch-to-batch variation and contamination of heparin.

Bimodal, reciprocal regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 promoter activity by BTEB1/KLF9 during myogenesis

Expression of FGFR1 controls both myoblast proliferation and differentiation. The Krüppel-like transcription factor BTEB1 demonstrates bimodal, reciprocal activity by activating the FGFR1 promoter in proliferating myoblasts and repressing the same promoter via the same DNA-binding site in differentiated myotubes.

Expression of the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and subsequent FGFR1-mediated cell signaling controls numerous developmental and disease-related processes. The transcriptional regulation of the FGFR1 gene is central to these developmental events and serves as a molecular model for understanding transcriptional control of growth factor receptor genes. The FGFR1 promoter is activated in proliferating myoblasts via several Sp1-like binding elements. These elements display varying levels of activation potential, suggesting that unique protein-DNA complexes coordinate FGFR1 gene expression via each of these sites. The Krüppel-like factor, BTEB1/KLF9, was expressed in both proliferating myoblasts and differentiated myotubes in vitro. The BTEB1 protein was nuclear-localized in both cell types. BTEB1 activated the FGFR1 promoter via interaction with the Sp1-like binding site located at −59 bp within the FGFR1 promoter. FGFR1 gene expression is down-regulated during myogenic differentiation, and FGFR1 promoter activity is correspondingly reduced. This reduction in FGFR1 promoter activity was attributable to BTEB1 interaction with the same Sp1-like binding site located at −59 bp in the FGFR1 promoter. Therefore, BTEB1 is capable of functioning as a transcriptional activator and repressor of the same promoter via the same DNA-binding element and demonstrates a novel, bimodal role of BTEB1 during myogenesis.

Developing a novel serum-free cell culture model of skeletal muscle differentiation by systematically studying the role of different growth factors in myotube formation

This work describes the step-by-step development of a novel, serum-free, in vitro cell culture system resulting in the formation of robust, contracting, multinucleate myotubes from dissociated skeletal muscle cells obtained from the hind limbs of fetal rats. This defined system consisted of a serum-free medium formulation developed by the systematic addition of different growth factors as well as a nonbiological cell growth promoting substrate, N-1[3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] diethylenetriamine. Each growth factor in the medium was experimentally evaluated for its effect on myotube formation. The resulting myotubes were evaluated immunocytochemically using embryonic skeletal muscle, specifically the myosin heavy chain antibody. Based upon this analysis, we propose a new skeletal muscle differentiation protocol that reflects the roles of the various growth factors which promote robust myotube formation. Further observation noted that the proposed skeletal muscle differentiation technique also supported muscle-nerve coculture. Immunocytochemical evidence of nerve-muscle coculture has also been documented. Applications for this novel culture system include biocompatibility and skeletal muscle differentiation studies, understanding myopathies, neuromuscular disorders, and skeletal muscle tissue engineering.

Increased Transduction of Skeletal Muscle Cells by Fibroblast Growth Factor-Modified Adenoviral Vectors

Gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy will likely require that the corrective dystrophin gene be delivered to a high fraction of muscle fibers in vivo. Because of the large size of the dystrophin cDNA, adenoviral (Ad) vectors have been developed for this application. However, Ad vectors transduce mature muscle inefficiently in part due to downregulation of Ad receptors on these cells. To circumvent this problem, we have tested fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) as ligands for their ability to enhance Ad transduction of muscle cells. In this work, we demonstrate that covalent conjugation of FGF, but not IGF, to Ad5 vectors mediates substantial increases in transduction of skeletal muscle cells in vitro and dystrophic in vivo. Ad5 vectors expressing reporter genes were cross-linked to the ligands, using bifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules. Ad-PEG-FGF mediated 1000- and 200-fold increases in transduction on C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes in vitro when compared with Ad5, Ad-PEG, or Ad-PEG-IGF. When tested in vivo in mdx mice, Ad-PEG-FGF mediated 6-fold higher transduction in skeletal muscle than unmodified Ad5. Similar results were seen when using lacZ as a reporter gene to observe transduction qualitatively. These data suggest that FGF may be a useful cell-binding ligand to enhance gene delivery by Ad and other vectors into skeletal muscle for the gene therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other muscle-related diseases.

Sp1-mediated transcriptional control of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 in sarcomas of skeletal muscle lineage

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have been implicated in a multitude of differentiating and proliferative actions. FGFR4 is expressed mainly in lung, kidney, pancreas, spleen, and developing muscle. FGFR4 was found to be overexpressed in some human malignancies, where it has been implicated in their pathogenesis. Recently, FGFR4 was found to be overexpressed in pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas, based on cDNA microarray analysis. Using Northern blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting, we classified four human rhabdomyosarcoma-derived cell lines based on their relative expression of FGFR4. We defined a 214 bp (-115/+99) promoter that functioned as a minimal promoter and examined cis-DNA elements implicated in the control of expression of the FGFR4 gene in these cells. Overlapping 40- to 50-bp fragments of the minimal promoter were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay using nuclear extracts from cell lines with high (HS729-1015) or low (HS729-1016) FGFR4 expression. Fragment C (-65/-26) formed specific complexes with nuclear extracts from both cell lines. Fragment B (-95/-56), however, formed distinct complexes mainly with the high FGFR4-expressing HS729-1015 cells. Both fragments yielded complexes that were competed by an Sp oligonucleotide and supershifted by Sp1 and by Sp3 antibodies. Transfection of Sp1 but not Sp3 efficiently activated FGFR4 promoter activity, an effect that was significantly more pronounced in the HS729-1015 cell line than in the low FGFR4-expressing HS729-1016 cell line. Deletion of each of the two Sp-binding sites in fragments B and C resulted in loss of promoter activity. In particular, deletion of the 5' Sp-binding site in fragment B was associated with the greatest loss of activity. Sp1 protein expression correlated with FGFR4 expression in cell lines and primary human rhabdomyosarcomas. Furthermore, transfection of Sp1 and methylation inhibition was effective in inducing the endogenous FGFR4 gene in HS729-1015 cells. Our findings point to Sp1 as an important contributor to FGFR4 transcriptional control and elucidate a potential mechanism for the heterogeneous expression of FGFR4 in neoplasms derived from the same cell lineage.

Distinct transcriptional control and action of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 in differentiating skeletal muscle cells

Although FGF signaling promotes myoblast proliferation and represses myogenic differentiation, one of the FGF receptors (FGFR), FGFR4, is expressed mainly in mature skeletal muscle. Disruption of FGFR4 signaling interrupts chick limb muscle formation. To determine the developmental regulation of FGFR4 expression, we compared the transcriptional control and action of FGFR4 in myoblasts and myotubes. We identified higher FGFR4 expression in differentiated myotubes than precursor myoblasts. FGFR4 promoter activity was localized within a region 115 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Overlapping fragments of this promoter displayed a distinct difference when compared by electromobility shift assay (EMSA) using nuclear extracts from myoblasts and myotubes. While fragments B (-95/-56) and C (-65/-26) formed specific complexes in both cell types, these complexes were consistently more intense in myotubes than myoblasts. These complexes were efficiently competed by an Sp-type oligonucleotide and were supershifted by Sp1 and by Sp3 antibodies. Deletions of the Sp-binding sites in fragment B (-95/-56) confirmed their critical contribution to promoter activity. Moreover, Sp1 expression correlated with FGFR4-expression in myotubes. To determine whether FGFR4 expression regulates myoblast differentiation, we infected a soluble dominant-negative FGFR4-containing adenovirus into these cells. This significantly impeded Erk1/2 phosphorylation and differentiation of myoblasts into MHC-expressing myotubes. Our findings point to distinct transcriptional regulation and action for FGFR4 in differentiating skeletal muscle cells.

Comparative Proteomes of the Proliferating C2C12 Myoblasts and Fully Differentiated Myotubes Reveal the Complexity of the Skeletal Muscle Differentiation Program

When cultured in low serum-containing growth medium, the mouse C(2)C(12) cells exit cell cycle and undergo a well-defined program of differentiation that culminates in the formation of myosin heavy chain-positive bona fide multinucleated muscle cells. To gain an understanding into this process, we compared total, membrane- and nuclear-enriched proteins, and phospho-proteins from the proliferating C(2)C(12) cells and the fully differentiated myotubes by the combined methods of two-dimensional PAGE, quantitative PDQuest image analysis, and MS. Quantification of more than 2,000 proteins from C(2)C(12) myoblasts and myotubes revealed that a vast majority of the abundant proteins appear to be relegated to the essential, housekeeping and structural functions, and their steady state levels remain relatively constant. In contrast, 75 proteins were highly regulated during the phenotypic conversion of rapidly dividing C(2)C(12) myoblasts into fully differentiated, multi-nucleated, post-mitotic myotubes. We found that differential accumulation of 26 phospho-proteins also occurred during conversion of C(2)C(12) myoblasts into myotubes. We identified the differentially expressed proteins by MALDI-TOF-MS and LC-ESI-quadrupole ion trap MS/MS. We demonstrate that more than 100 proteins, some shown to be associated with muscle differentiation for the first time, that regulate inter- and intracellular signaling, cell shape, proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression impinge on the mechanism of skeletal muscle differentiation.

Repression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene expression by E2F4 in skeletal muscle cells

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene expression is positively and negatively regulated during muscle differentiation. We recently reported that FGFR1 gene expression was up-regulated by Sp transcription factors in proliferating myoblasts. However, the mechanism of down-regulation of this gene during differentiation is unknown. We have identified the transcription factor E2F4 as a negative regulator of FGFR1 gene expression. Immunodetection studies revealed that endogenous E2F1 and E2F2 proteins were cytoplasmic in myoblasts and myotubes, whereas E2F4 was abundant in the nuclei of both. Upon overexpression, E2F4 repressed FGFR1 promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner in myoblasts and Drosophila SL2 cells, and mutation of the E2F4 binding site increased FGFR1 promoter activity and reduced E2F4-mediated repression. Gel shift assays detected E2F4 binding to a synthetic FGFR1 E2F4 binding site and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays detected E2F4 binding to the endogenous FGFR1 promoter in proliferating myoblasts and myotubes. The results indicate that FGFR1 promoter activity in skeletal muscle cells is repressed by E2F4.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 and its receptor during skeletal muscle development from turkeys with different growth rates

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a key regulator of muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. To address how FGF2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene expression influences skeletal muscle development and growth, pectoralis major muscle was isolated at embryonic days (ED) 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24, and at 1-, 8-, 12-, and 16-week posthatch from a turkey line (F) selected only for increased 16-week body weight and its genetic control line (RBC2). The mRNA levels of FGF2 and FGFR1 were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Compared to the RBC2 line males, the F line males had higher FGF2 mRNA levels at ED 14 and 16, and higher FGFR1 mRNA levels at ED 18, but down-regulated FGF2 and FGFR1 gene expression at ED 22. Although no FGF2 mRNA was detected in posthatch muscle tissue, the F line turkeys had more FGFR1 gene expression at 8-, 12-, and 16-week posthatch than the RBC2 line turkeys. During myogenic satellite cell proliferation, the F line cells had higher FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA levels than the RBC2 line cells. The satellite cell responsiveness to FGF2 treatment was evaluated by the ability of the cells to proliferate. The male satellite cells were more responsive to FGF2 stimulation than the female cells in both lines. These results suggest that the F line turkeys have increased FGF2 signaling that may affect muscle cell proliferation and differentiation, which may also lead to an enhancement in muscle development and growth rate.

Reloading of atrophied rat soleus muscle induces tenascin-C expression around damaged muscle fibers

The hypothesis was tested that mechanical loading, induced by hindlimb suspension and subsequent reloading, affects expression of the basement membrane components tenascin-C and fibronectin in the belly portion of rat soleus muscle. One day of reloading, but not the previous 14 days of hindlimb suspension, led to ectopic accumulation of tenascin-C and an increase of fibronectin in the endomysium of a proportion (8 and 15%) of muscle fibers. Large increases of tenascin-C (40-fold) and fibronectin (7-fold) mRNA within 1 day of reloading indicates the involvement of pretranslational mechanisms in tenascin-C and fibronectin accumulation. The endomysial accumulation of tenascin-C was maintained up to 14 days of reloading and was strongly associated with centrally nucleated fibers. The observations demonstrate that an unaccustomed increase of rat soleus muscle loading causes modification of the basement membrane of damaged muscle fibers through ectopic endomysial expression of tenascin-C.

Immunohistochemical analysis of bFGF, TGF-beta1 and catalase in rectus abdominis muscle from cattle foetuses at 180 and 260 days post-conception

The potential for muscle growth depends on myoblast proliferation, which occurs essentially during the first two thirds of the foetal period in cattle. Thereafter, myofibres acquire their contractile and metabolic properties. Proliferation is regulated by molecular growth factors and by the tissue oxidative activity. The aim of this study was the quantification by immunochemistry of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) and also of enzyme catalase (CAT) activity in rectus abdominis muscle. Samples were collected from cattle foetuses of different growth potential at 180 and 260 days post-conception (dpc). One major conclusion from this work is that protein contents of the muscle tissue bFGF and, to a lower extent, CAT activity decreased with increasing age during the foetal life. No differences were found between the different genotypes of cattle. However, the CAT to bFGF ratio tended to be lower in fast-growing cattle and increased with foetal age. TGF-beta1 did not change with age and was localised mostly at the vascular bed. CAT was detected in smooth and rough reticulum in striated muscles at 180dpc, and additionally in mitochondria at 260dpc. In conclusion, the balance between intracellular growth factors (bFGF and TGF-beta1) and the activity of antioxidant enzyme CAT may participate in the regulation of the transition from myoblast proliferation to differentiation. Thus, increased ratio of CAT to bFGF might be a good index indicating initiation of muscle maturation in cattle foetus prior to birth.

Glycosaminoglycan mimetics (RGTA) modulate adult skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation in vitro

Muscle regeneration occurs through the activation of satellite cells, which are stimulated to proliferate and to fuse into myofibers that will reconstitute the damaged muscle. We have previously reported that a family of new compounds called "regenerating agents" (RGTAs), which are polymers engineered to mimic heparan sulfates, stimulate in vivo tissue repair. One of these agents, RG1192, a dextran derivative substituted by CarboxyMethyl, Benzylamide, and Sulfate (noted CMBS, RGTA type), was shown to improve greatly the regeneration of rat skeletal muscle after severe crushing, denervation, and acute ischemia. In vitro, these compounds mimic the protecting and stabilizing properties of heparin or heparan sulfates toward heparin-binding growth factors (HBGFs). We hypothesized that RGTA could act by increasing the bioavailability of some HBGF involved in myoblast growth and thus asked whether RGTA would alter the ability of satellite cells to proliferate. Its effect was tested on primary cultures of rat satellite cells. The RG1192 stimulated the proliferation of satellite cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. It appeared to be as efficient as natural glycosaminoglycans (GAGs; heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, or keratan sulfate) in stimulating satellite cell proliferation but was about 100 times more efficient than heparin. RG1192 stimulated satellite cell proliferation by increasing the potency of fibroblast growth factor 2 and scatter factor-hepatocyte growth factor. It also partially restored myoblast proliferation of satellite cells with chlorate-induced hyposulfation. Taken together, our results explain to some extent the improving effect of RGTA with a CMBS structure, such as the RG1192, on muscle regeneration in vivo by providing support for the hypothesis that RGTA may act by increasing the potency of some HBGFs during the proliferation phase of the regenerating muscle.

Differentiation in C(2)C(12) myoblasts depends on the expression of endogenous IGFs and not serum depletion

Myogenic differentiation in vitro has been usually viewed as being negatively controlled by serum mitogens. A depletion of critical serum components from medium has been considered to be essential for permanent withdrawal from the cell cycle and terminal differentiation of myoblasts. Removal of serum mitogens induces the expression of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), whereas it inhibits that of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in myoblasts. These responses of growth factors to medium conditioning seem to be well matched to their functions in proliferation/differentiation. In the present study, we showed that C(2)C(12) myoblasts differentiated actively, even in mitogen-rich medium, and that this medium offered an advantage over mitogen-poor medium in terms of increasing differentiation. Our attention focused on endogenous growth factors, as described above, especially IGFs in mitogen-rich medium. During differentiation, IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA levels increased, but bFGF and TGF-beta(1) mRNAs decreased. Differentiation was commensurable with IGF mRNA levels and suppressed by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against IGFs. These results suggest that an autocrine/paracrine loop of IGFs, bFGF, and TGF-beta(1) is active in proliferating and differentiating C(2)C(12) cells without a depletion of serum and that endogenous IGFs actively override the negative control of differentiation by serum mitogens.

Sp1- and Sp3-mediated transcriptional regulation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene in chicken skeletal muscle cells

Expression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene in skeletal muscle is positively regulated in proliferating myoblasts and declines during differentiation. We have characterized the cis-regulatory elements in the proximal region of the FGFR1 promoter which render positive transcriptional activity. Multiple elements between -69 and -14 activate the FGFR1 promoter. Myoblast transfections revealed that potential Sp transcription factor binding sites are required for promoter activity. Electromobility shift assays indicated that myoblast nuclear proteins specifically bind to these cis-elements and that differentiated myotube nuclear extracts do not form these same complexes. In addition, Southwestern blot analysis detected binding of the most proximal Sp motif to a Sp1-like protein present in myoblast nuclear extracts but not in myotubes. In corroboration, Sp1 and Sp3 proteins were detected only in myoblasts and not in differentiated myotubes. Finally, transfection of Drosophila SL2 cells showed that Sp1 is a positive regulator of FGFR1 promoter activity and that Sp3 is a coactivator via the proximal Sp binding sites. These studies demonstrate that the FGFR1 promoter is activated by Sp transcription factors in proliferating myoblasts and demonstrate at least part of the mechanism by which FGFR1 gene expression is down-regulated in differentiated muscle fibers.

Misexpression of Fgf-4 in the chick limb inhibits myogenesis by down-regulating Frek expression

Skeletal muscle development involves an initial period of myoblast replication followed by a phase in which some myoblasts continue to proliferate while others undergo terminal differentiation. The latter process involves the permanent cessation of DNA synthesis, activation of muscle-specific gene expression, and fusion of single cells to generate multinucleated muscle fibres. The in vivo signals regulating the progression through all these steps remain unknown. Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) and Fgf receptors comprise a large family whose members have been shown to play multiple roles in the development of skeletal muscle in vitro. Exogenously applied Fgfs are able to stimulate proliferation and suppress myogenic differentiation in cell culture. We sought to determine the role played by Fgf-4 during limb myogenesis in vivo. Fgf-4 transcripts are located at both extremities of myotubes whereas the mRNAs of one of the Fgf receptors, Frek, are detected in mononucleated proliferating myoblasts surrounding the multinucleated fibres. Overexpression of mouse Fgf-4 (mFgf-4) using a replication-competent retrovirus, RCAS, leads to a down-regulation of muscle markers followed by an inhibition of terminal differentiation in limb muscles. Using quail/chick transplantations we were able to follow the muscle cells and found a dramatic decrease in their number after exposure to mFgf-4. Interestingly ectopic mFgf-4 down-regulates Frek transcripts in limb muscle areas. We conclude that overexpression of mFgf-4 inhibits myoblast proliferation, probably by down-regulating Frek mRNAs. This suggests a role for Fgf-4, located at the extremities of the myotubes, where it could be responsible for the absence of Frek mRNA in the muscle fibre.

Temporal expression of growth factor genes during myogenesis of satellite cells derived from the biceps femoris and pectoralis major muscles of the chicken

The expression of mRNAs for transforming growth factors (TGF-beta2, myostatin, activin-B, and follistatin), insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and -II), and fibroblast growth factor (basic, bFGF) was investigated in satellite cells derived from chicken pectoralis major (PM) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles in the stages from initiation of proliferation to fusion. These growth factor gene cDNAs were synthesized by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No myostatin, activin-B, follistatin or bFGF expression was detected in either cell culture at 0 h. TGF-beta2 mRNA level increased at 48 h (P < 0.01) and remained constant through 144 h in both PM and BF satellite cell cultures. The ontogeny of myostatin gene expression with the exception of a sharp increase in BF culture at 72 h (P < 0.01), was nearly identical in both cell cultures. Activin-B mRNA level in PM satellite cells was higher than that in BF satellite cells at 72 h and 120 h (P < 0.01). Follistatin mRNA in PM satellite cells was higher than that in BF satellite cells at 24, 96, and 120 h culture (P < 0.01). No IGF-I gene expression was detected in cell cultures at any time point. IGF-II gene expression in BF satellite cells declined at 96 h (P < 0.01) and remained reduced until 144 h. bFGF mRNA in both satellite cell cultures increased at 24 h (P < 0.05) and remained at this level in BF satellite cells through 144 h.

Changes in FGF and FGF receptor expression in low-frequency-stimulated rat muscles and rat satellite cell cultures

This study compares effects of chronic electrical stimulation on the expression levels of FGF-1, FGF-2 and their receptors (FGFRI, FGFR4) in rat tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of hypothyroid rat, as well as in satellite cell cultures derived from normal rat TA and soleus (SOL) muscles. In 5-day (5-d)-stimulated hypothyroid TA muscle, FGF-1 and FGF-2 mRNA levels were threefold elevated over control. FGFR1 and FGFR4 mRNAs were twofold and 1.5-fold elevated, respectively. In longer stimulated muscles, FGF-1 and FGFR4 mRNAs returned to basal levels, whereas FGF-2 mRNA remained elevated. FGFR1 mRNA decreased to control levels in 10-d stimulated muscles, but increased again after 20 days of stimulation. SOL- and TA-derived satellite cell cultures were stimulated for 5 days. At this time point, changes in myosin heavy chain isoforms were detectable consisting of increases in MHCI mRNA and decreases in MHCIIb and MHCIId mRNA. The comparison between 5-d-stimulated hypothyroid TA muscle and 5-d-stimulated TA- and SOL-derived satellite cell cultures revealed differences in the expression of FGF-1 and FGF-2, but similar expression levels of FGFR1 and FGFR4. Even though FGF-1 and FGF-2 mRNAs were elevated in the satellite cell cultures, their increases were less pronounced than in the stimulated hypothyroid muscle. Taking into consideration that skeletal muscle contains muscle fibres and various non-muscle tissues, e.g. blood vessels, these results suggest that the latter contribute to the observed increases in FGF-1 and FGF-2 expression in stimulated muscle.

Effects of IGF-I, IGF-II, bFGF and PDGF on the initiation of mRNA translation in C2C12 myoblasts and differentiating myoblasts

In order to study the mechanisms by which growth factors stimulate protein synthesis, C2C12 myogenic cells were treated with a variety of growth factors and the recruitment of free ribosomes to polysomes was quantified. All experiments were conducted on C2C12 myoblasts (24 h prior to induction of fusion) and differentiating myoblasts (24 h after induction of fusion). After the 2 h incubation, cells were rinsed with phosphate buffered saline and quickly frozen at -80 degrees C. Cell lysates were fractionated on 15-60% sucrose gradients by centrifugation at 200,000 x g for 1 h. Absorbance at 254 nm was recorded continuously across the gradient. The response to each of the four growth factors, IGF-I and-II, basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and platelet-derived growth factor was a decrease (P < 0.05) in monosome peak height and a increase (P < 0.05) in polysome percentage (P < 0.05). All responses were linear, except IGF-I, and the monosome peak height response to FGF which were quadratic (P < 0.05). None of the growth factors had a significant effect (P > 0.05) on RNA concentrations over the 2-h incubation. Protein content did not vary due to growth factor or level of treatment. This corroborates the hypothesis that the acute increase of protein synthesis exhibited by growth factor treated cells is due to an increase in the activity of existing ribosomes rather than an increase in ribosome synthesis. These results suggest that we can study the mechanisms regulating protein synthesis in muscle cells effectively by studying shifts in ribosomal activity. This method gave more consistent results than the H3-tyrosine incorporation and has the added benefit of not requiring the use of radioactivity. The strong correlation between monosome peak heights and percentage polysomes will allow researchers to measure total protein synthetic activity in a culture from the free or cytoplasmic fraction and to reserve the polysomes for other uses. The similarity of response among the various growth factors may indicate a common mechanism for increasing the initiation of protein synthesis.

FGF receptor availability regulates skeletal myogenesis

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors are critical participants in embryonic development, including the genesis of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. FGF signaling is mediated through interactions between multiple FGF ligands and transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors, resulting in activation of a number of signal transduction pathways. Skeletal myocytes express FGF ligands and receptors in a coordinated fashion, suggesting that these molecules participate in autocrine signaling in the myocyte. Endogenously produced FGF has been shown to inhibit myogenesis, but the role of FGF receptor availability in directing myocyte proliferation and differentiation has not been established. To determine the contribution of receptor availability to the regulation of myogenesis, receptor availability was either increased by expressing a full-length FGF receptor-1 or decreased by expressing a truncated FGF receptor-1 in cultured skeletal myocytes. Constitutive expression of a full-length FGF receptor-1 increased myocyte proliferation and delayed differentiation. Conversely, a reduction in functional FGF receptor signaling by expression of a truncated FGF receptor-1 decreased proliferation and enhanced differentiation of myocytes. These data demonstrate that FGF receptor availability plays a critical regulatory role in skeletal myogenesis.

Distinct regulation of myoblast differentiation by intracellular and extracellular fibroblast growth factor-1

We studied the role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 in the physiology of myoblast differentiation. We found that, while endogenous FGF-1 in L6-10 rat myoblasts did not suppress the progress of differentiation, the addition of FGF-1 to the culture medium suppressed it. Moreover, L6-10 cells stably transfected with full length FGF-1 undergo enhanced differentiation. The latter was well correlated with myogenin expression and myotube formation. Constitutive expression of a mutant FGF-1 (FGF-1U) that lacked a nuclear localization signal, promoted the differentiation of the myoblasts even more strongly. Furthermore, the expression of FGF-1U in an inducible expression system enhanced myogenin expression promptly. In L6-10 transfectants expressing a dominant-negative mutant of FGF receptor, stable transfection of FGF-1 promoted differentiation as it did in parent cells. Studies with FGF receptors and MAP kinase suggest that both are involved in the effect of FGF-1 when it is supplemented to culture medium but not during the effect of endogenous FGF-1 synthesized in cells. We conclude that intracellular (endogenous) and extracellular (exogenous) FGF-1 have differential effects on the regulation of myogenic differentiation of L6-10 cells.

Heparin inhibits lung branching morphogenesis: potential role of smooth muscle cells in cleft formation

Lung branching morphogenesis is the process by which the embryonic lung undergoes repetitive branching to form the bronchial tree. This process occurs during the pseudoglandular stage of lung development and requires epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Coinciding with lung branching morphogenesis is the appearance of parabronchial smooth muscle cells (PSMCs) and the accumulation of extracellular matrices (ECMs) around the developing airways. The authors previously reported in preliminary form that heparin prevents the branching of murine lung explants (Roman et al., Am Rev Respir Dis. 1991; 143:A401); this article corroborates those early observations and expands them by demonstrating that heparin results in disruption of PSMC distribution and abnormal organization of ECMs around the developing airways. These changes were associated with inhibition of lung branching morphogenesis in the absence of effects on cell proliferation. The data provide further support for the role of ECMs in lung branching morphogenesis, and points to PSMCs as potential players in this process.

Differential regulation of potassium currents by FGF-1 and FGF-2 in embryonic Xenopus laevis myocytes

1. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are involved in the regulation of many aspects of muscle development. This study investigated their role in regulating voltage-dependent K+ currents in differentiating Xenopus laevis myocytes. Both FGF-1 and FGF-2 are expressed by developing muscle cells, so their actions were compared. Experiments were performed on cultured myocytes isolated from stage 15 embryos. 2. Long-term exposure of the embryonic myocytes to FGF-1 downregulated inward rectifier K+ current (IK(IR)) density as well as both sustained and inactivating voltage-dependent outward K+ currents (IK,S and IK,I, respectively) and their densities. In contrast, FGF-2 upregulated these currents, although, because of an increase in capacitance caused by FGF-2, current density did not change with this factor. 3. The regulation of IK(IR) by FGF-1 was prevented by the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A, but that of IK,S and IK,I was unaffected, indicating that FGF-1 achieves its regulatory effects on electrical development via separate signalling pathways. The receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein in isolation suppressed K+ currents, but this may have occurred through a channel-blocking mechanism. 4. In many cells, IK, S was found to be composed of two components with differing voltage dependencies of activation. The FGFs brought about an alteration in the amount of total IK,S by equal effects on each component. Conversely, herbimycin A increased the proportion of low voltage-activated current without affecting total current amplitude. Therefore, we suggest that a single species of channel whose voltage dependence is shifted by tyrosine phosphorylation generates IK,S. 5. In summary, FGF-1 and FGF-2 exert opposite effects on voltage-dependent K+ currents in embryonic myocytes and, furthermore, FGF-1 achieves its effects on different K+ currents via separate second messenger pathways.

Expression of perlecan, a proteoglycan that binds myogenic inhibitory basic fibroblast growth factor, is down regulated during skeletal muscle differentiation

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) have been shown to be involved in the activation of tyrosine kinase receptors by basic fibroblasts growth factor (bFGF), a strong inhibitor of skeletal muscle differentiation. Skeletal muscle fibers contact extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds individual fibers (endomysium) and bundles of several fibers (perimysium). Perlecan is a HSPG present in the majority of basement membranes. In this study we evaluated the expression and localization of perlecan during differentiation of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. C2C12 myoblasts incubated with [35S]Na2SO4 synthesize a HSPG that can be specifically immunoprecipitated with antibodies against murine perlecan. The immunoprecipitated HSPG eluted from a Sepharose CL-4B with a Kav of 0.44. Analysis of the core protein of the HSPG immunoprecipitated from [35S]methionine-labeled C2C12 after treatment with heparitinase revealed two polypeptides of 170 and over 300 kDa. The amount of polypeptides immunoprecipitated decreased with muscle differentiation. Immunocytolocalization studies indicate that perlecan is localized on the myoblast surface and by immunogold staining we have demonstrated that it is associated with patches of incipient extracellular matrix. The expression of perlecan mRNA decreased substantially during skeletal muscle differentiation, in contrast to the increase in transcripts for specific skeletal muscle proteins such as myogenin and creatine kinase. By immunofluorescence microscopy almost no perlecan staining associated with the surface of myotubes was observed. All these results suggests that perlecan, a HSPG that binds myogenic inhibitory bFGF, normally associated with basement membranes in adult tissues is present on the surface of myoblasts and its expression is down regulated during skeletal muscle differentiation.

Syndecan-1 expression is down-regulated during myoblast terminal differentiation. Modulation by growth factors and retinoic acid

Syndecan-1 is an integral membrane proteoglycan involved in the interaction of cells with extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors. It is transiently expressed in several condensing mesenchymal tissues after epithelial induction. In this study we evaluated the expression of syndecan-1 during skeletal muscle differentiation. The expression of syndecan-1 as determined by Northern blot analyses and immunofluorescence microscopy is down-regulated during differentiation. The transcriptional activity of a syndecan-1 promoter construct is also down-regulated in differentiating muscle cells. The decrease in syndecan-1 gene expression is not dependent on the presence of E-boxes, binding sites for the MyoD family of transcription factors in the promoter region, or myogenin expression. Deletion of the region containing the E-boxes or treatment of differentiating cells with sodium butyrate, an inhibitor of myogenin expression, had no effect on syndecan-1 expression. Basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor type beta, which are inhibitors of myogenesis, had little effect on syndecan-1 expression. When added together, however, they induced syndecan-1 expression. Retinoic acid, an inducer of myogenesis, inhibited syndecan-1 expression and abolished the effect of the growth factors. These results indicate that syndecan-1 expression is down-regulated during myogenesis and that growth factors and retinoic acid modulate syndecan-1 expression by a mechanism that is independent of myogenin.

Opposing effects of activin A and follistatin on developing skeletal muscle cells

Activin and the activin-binding protein follistatin modulate a variety of biological processes and are abundant at sites of muscle development. Activin and follistatin were expressed in developing chick pectoral muscle in vivo and in primary cell culture. Addition of recombinant activin inhibited muscle development in a dose-dependent manner as measured by the number of nuclei in myosin heavy chain positive cells and creatine phosphokinase activity. Conversely, follistatin potentiated muscle development. The effects of activin were found to be distinct from those of the related protein transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1. Muscle development was repressed by activin at all time points investigated and did not recover with the removal of activin following a limited exposure. In contrast, while myogenic differentiation in TGFbeta1 was initially repressed, muscle marker expression recovered to control levels--even in the continued presence of TGFbeta1. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) had little effect on inhibiton of muscle development caused by activin A. However, inhibition of development produced by TGFbeta increased with increasing concentrations of FGF. Finally, early expression of myoD and myf5 mRNA by muscle cultures in the presence of activin and follistatin was analyzed. Activin-treated cultures expressed reduced myoD and myf5 levels at 1.5 days after plating. Myf5 levels in follistatin-treated cultures were elevated, but, surprisingly, these cultures showed a reduction in myoD levels. These data suggest that endogenously expressed activin and follistatin are important modulators of muscle development.

A natural hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor autocrine loop in myoblast cells and the effect of the constitutive Met kinase activation on myogenic differentiation

As a rule, hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is produced by mesenchymal cells, while its receptor, the tyrosine kinase encoded by the met proto-oncogene, is expressed by the neighboring epithelial cells in a canonical paracrine fashion. In the present work we show that both HGF/SF and met are coexpressed by undifferentiated C2 mouse myoblasts. In growing cells, the autocrine loop is active as the receptor exhibits a constitutive phosphorylation on tyrosine that can be abrogated by exogenously added anti-HGF/SF neutralizing antibodies. The transcription of HGF/SF and met genes is downregulated when myoblasts stop proliferating and differentiate. The coexpression of HGF/SF and met genes is not exclusive to C2 cells since it has been assessed also in other myogenic cell lines and in mouse primary satellite cells, suggesting that HGF/SF could play a role in muscle development through an autocrine way. To analyze the biological effects of HGF/SF receptor activation, we stably expressed the constitutively activated receptor catalytic domain (p65(tpr-met)) in C2 cells. This active kinase determined profound changes in cell shape and inhibited myogenesis at both morphological and biochemical levels. Notably, a complete absence of muscle regulatory markers such as MyoD and myogenin was observed in p65(tpr-met) highly expressing C2 clones. We also studied the effects of the ectopic expression of human isoforms of met receptor (h-met) and of HGF/SF (h-HGF/SF) in stable transfected C2 cells. Single constitutive expression of h-met or h-HGF/SF does not alter substantially the growth and differentiation properties of the myoblast cells, probably because of a species-specific ligand-receptor interaction. A C2 clone expressing simultaneously both h-met and h-HGF/SF is able to grow in soft agar and shows a decrease in myogenic potential comparable to that promoted by p65(tpr-met) kinase. These data indicate that a met kinase signal released from differentiation-dependent control provides a negative stimulus for the onset of myogenic differentiation.

Autonomous control of expression of genes for insulin-like growth factors during the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts in serum-free culture

The proliferation and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells in culture are usually controlled by serum components, and the differentiation can be induced by a reduction in the serum concentration. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play a critical role in stimulating myoblast differentiation, and the expression of their genes is controlled by serum factors. We have found that C2C12 myoblasts are capable of proliferation and differentiation even in serum-free medium that does not contain peptide mitogens. During these processes in serum-free medium, the accumulation of mRNAs for IGFs in the cells was observed; and their levels increased with concomitant increases in creatine kinase activity and myotube formation and a decrease in DNA synthesis. Thus, the present results suggest that proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells are autonomously controlled and that the increase in the expression of the IGFs may be independent of exogenous components.

Extracellular matrix is required for skeletal muscle differentiation but not myogenin expression

Skeletal muscle cells are a useful model for studying cell differentiation. Muscle cell differentiation is marked by myoblast proliferation followed by progressive fusion to form large multinucleated myotubes that synthesize muscle-specific proteins and contract spontaneously. The molecular analysis of myogenesis has advanced with the identification of several myogenic regulatory factors, including myod1, myd, and myogenin. These factors regulate each other's expression and that of muscle-specific proteins such as the acetylcholine receptor and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In order to investigate the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in myogenesis we have cultured myoblasts (C2C12) in the presence or absence of an exogenous ECM (Matrigel). In addition, we have induced differentiation of myoblasts in the presence or absence of Matrigel and/or chlorate, a specific inhibitor of proteoglycan sulfation. Our results indicated that the formation of fused myotubes and expression of AChE was stimulated by Matrigel. Treatment of myoblasts induced to differentiate with chlorate resulted in an inhibition of cell fusion and AChE activity. Chlorate treatment was also found to inhibit the deposition and assembly of ECM components such fibronectin and laminin. The expression of myogenin mRNA was observed when myoblasts were induced to differentiate, but was unaffected by the presence of Matrigel or by culture of the cells in the presence of chlorate. These results suggest that the expression of myogenin is independent of the presence of ECM, but that the presence of ECM is essential for the formation of myotubes and the expression of later muscle-specific gene products.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 in skeletal and heart muscle cells: expression during early avian development and regulation after notochord transplantation

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) mediates several biological functions during embryonic development. With regard to skeletal muscle formation, it has been suggested that FGF-2 is involved in the growth and differentiation of myogenic precursor cells. To identify the FGF-responsive cells we studied the expression of FGF receptor type I (FGFR-1) during early embryonic development of the chick. FGFR-1 immunoreactivity is present at all stages examined (embryonic day [E] 2-E5). Expression of FGFR-1 is found in the somite myotome, limb bud muscle cells, eye and tongue muscle cells, and myocardium. Transplantation of an additional notochord into the paraxial mesoderm, which prevents the formation of a myotome, reveals the absence of FGFR-1 immunoreactivity on the operated side. The distinct expression pattern of FGFR-1 in migrating and differentiating muscle cells indicates that in addition to the stimulation of proliferation of myoblasts, FGF-2 exerts other (nonmitogenic) effects on postmitotic myocytes.

A sensitive RNase protection assay using 33P labeled antisense riboprobes

This article presents for the first time a modified protocol for RNase protection analysis that allows the substitution of 32P with 33P without loss of the high sensitivity of this method achieved with 32P. With this protocol, we were able to detect at least 1 pg of specific mRNA. In the RNase protection analysis 33P labeled riboprobes are more advantageous with regard to an easier handling and better resolution.

Transforming growth factor-beta 3, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and fibroblast growth factor-2, act in different manners to promote motoneuron survival in vitro

Developing chick motoneurons depend on as yet unidentified factors from the periphery and the central nervous system for their survival. Using cultures of purified embryonic motoneurons, we show that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) or transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF beta 3) each have only low survival-promoting activity when tested alone, but act synergistically to keep motoneurons alive for at least 3 days. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), another member of the TGF beta family, was itself sufficient to maintain a population of motoneurons. However, its effect was not significantly increased by the addition of FGF-2. These results suggest that FGF-2, TGF beta 3, and GDNF, which are all present in the environment of developing motoneurons, may act different mechanisms as physiological survival factors for this population of central neurons.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 in the adrenal gland and PC12 cells: developmental expression and regulation by extrinsic molecules

In the present study we have analyzed the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR-1) mRNA in the developing and adult rat adrenal gland and in PC12 cells under different culture conditions. For this purpose a sensitive ribonuclease protection assay using 33P-labelled riboprobes was established. 33P-labelled riboprobes show a high resolution and are relatively easy to handle. FGFR-1 mRNA was found to be present in the postnatal and adult adrenal gland. In the cortex high levels of FGFR-1 mRNA were detected at postnatal day (P) 1 and P8, during the third week the mRNA levels declined, and reached low levels during adulthood. PC12 cells also contained detectable amounts of FGFR-1 mRNA. With the exception of NGF, however, the different treatment procedures did not affect FGFR-1 mRNA levels. The expression pattern of the FGFR-1 transcript matches that of the expression of FGF-2 and of the mitotic activity in the developing and adult cortex. This supports the idea that FGF-2 might act as an autocrine mitogen for adrenocortical cells. In the medulla FGFR-1 mRNA levels were low at the first 3 postnatal weeks and increased towards the adult. In accordance with the developing expression pattern of FGF-2 in the medulla and in vitro effects of this protein on chromaffin and PC12 cells an autocrine/paracrine role as a maintenance and differentiation factor for chromaffin cells is conceivable.

Distribution of acidic fibroblast growth factor-like immunoreactivity in rat skeletal muscle fibers

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a mitogenic, angiogenic and neurotrophic growth factor which promotes proliferation, but delays differentiation of cultured myoblasts. Its mRNA is expressed in the skeletal muscle, however, the distribution of aFGF in the postnatal skeletal muscle is poorly characterized. In the present study, the distribution of aFGF-like immunoreactivity (LI) was examined in developing and adult rat skeletal muscle fibers. In addition, the effect of the transection of the sciatic nerve on aFGF-LI in calf muscle fibers was examined. From the first postnatal day on, aFGF-immunoreactive (IR) muscle fibers were observed in different calf muscles. From the 7th postnatal day on a large number of muscle fibers exhibited aFGF-LI in the soleus muscle, some in plantaris and only few in gastrocnemius and extraocular muscles. Double-labelling with fast-myosin antibody showed that aFGF-LI was restricted to the slow oxidative muscle fibers. aFGF-IR intrafusal muscle fibers were seen in developing and mature muscle spindles. In addition, aFGF-IR nerve fibers and myoneural junctions were observed in different muscles. Transection of the sciatic nerve did not noticeably alter the expression pattern of aFGF-LI in calf muscles during two-week period. The present study demonstrates aFGF-LI in the rat slow oxidative muscle fibers where it may have fiber-type specific functions in addition to its known trophic effects.