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Sargent M, Wark AW, Day S, Buis A. An ex vivo animal model to study the effect of transverse mechanical loading on skeletal muscle. Commun Biol 2024; 7:302. [PMID: 38461200 PMCID: PMC10925026 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05994-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
In many populations like wheelchair and prosthetic users, the soft tissue is subject to excessive or repetitive loading, making it prone to Deep Tissue Injury (DTI). To study the skeletal muscle response to physical stress, numerous in vitro and in vivo models exist. Yet, accuracy, variability, and ethical considerations pose significant trade-offs. Here, we present an ex vivo approach to address these limitations and offer additional quantitative information on cellular damage. In this study, skeletal muscle tissue from Sprague Dawley rats was isolated and transversely loaded. Histological analysis and fluorescence staining demonstrated that the setup was suitable to keep the tissue alive throughout the experimental procedure. Mechanically induced cell damage was readily distinguishable through morphological changes and uptake of a membrane impermeable dye. Our comparably simple experimental setup can be adapted to different loading conditions and tissues to assess the cell response to mechanical loading in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Sargent
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair W Wark
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Day
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Arjan Buis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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2
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Kiriaev L, Baumann CW, Lindsay A. Eccentric contraction-induced strength loss in dystrophin-deficient muscle: Preparations, protocols, and mechanisms. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:213810. [PMID: 36651896 PMCID: PMC9856740 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202213208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The absence of dystrophin hypersensitizes skeletal muscle of lower and higher vertebrates to eccentric contraction (ECC)-induced strength loss. Loss of strength can be accompanied by transient and reversible alterations to sarcolemmal excitability and disruption, triad dysfunction, and aberrations in calcium kinetics and reactive oxygen species production. The degree of ECC-induced strength loss, however, appears dependent on several extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as vertebrate model, skeletal muscle preparation (in vivo, in situ, or ex vivo), skeletal muscle hierarchy (single fiber versus whole muscle and permeabilized versus intact), strength production, fiber branching, age, and genetic background, among others. Consistent findings across research groups show that dystrophin-deficient fast(er)-twitch muscle is hypersensitive to ECCs relative to wildtype muscle, but because preparations are highly variable and sensitivity to ECCs are used repeatedly to determine efficacy of many preclinical treatments, it is critical to evaluate the impact of skeletal muscle preparations on sensitivity to ECC-induced strength loss in dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle. Here, we review and discuss variations in skeletal muscle preparations to evaluate the factors responsible for variations and discrepancies between research groups. We further highlight that dystrophin-deficiency, or loss of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in skeletal muscle, is not a prerequisite for accelerated strength loss-induced by ECCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonit Kiriaev
- Muscle Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cory W. Baumann
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Angus Lindsay
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia,Correspondence to Angus Lindsay:
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Klein SM, Prantl L, Geis S, Felthaus O, Dolderer J, Anker AM, Zeitler K, Alt E, Vykoukal J. Circulating serum CK level vs. muscle impairment for in situ monitoring burden of disease in Mdx-mice. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2017; 65:327-334. [PMID: 27716655 DOI: 10.3233/ch-16195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) consists of a lack in the expression of the subsarcolemmal protein dystrophin causing progressive muscle dysfunction. Among the widely applied animal models in DMD research is the C57BL/1010ScSn-Dmdmdx mouse, commonly referred to as the "mdx mouse". The potential benefit of novel interventions in this model is often assessed by variables such as functional improvement, histological changes, and creatine kinase (CK) serum levels as an indicator for the extent of in situ muscle damage. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine to what extent the serum CK-level serves a surrogate for muscle dysfunction. METHODS In this trial mdx mice were subjected to a four-limb wire-hanging test (WHT) to assess the physical performance as a reference for muscle function. As CK is a component of the muscle fiber cytosol, its serum activity is supposed to positively correlate with progressing muscle damage. Hence serum CK levels were measured to detect the degree of muscle impairment. The functional tests and the serum CK levels were analyzed for their specific correlation. RESULTS Although physical performance decreased during the course of the experiment, latency to fall times in the WHT did not correlate with the CK level in mdx mice. CONCLUSION Our data suggests that the serum CK activity might be a critical parameter to monitor the progression of muscle impairment in mdx mice. Further this study emphasizes the complexity of the DMD phenotype in the mdx mouse, and the care with which isolated parameters in this model should be interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Klein
- Center for Plastic-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - L Prantl
- Center for Plastic-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - S Geis
- Center for Plastic-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - O Felthaus
- Center for Plastic-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - J Dolderer
- Center for Plastic-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - A M Anker
- Center for Plastic-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | - K Zeitler
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - E Alt
- Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Vykoukal
- Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD, Houston, TX, USA
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Li W, Zheng Y, Zhang W, Wang Z, Xiao J, Yuan Y. Progression and variation of fatty infiltration of the thigh muscles in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a muscle magnetic resonance imaging study. Neuromuscul Disord 2015; 25:375-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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García-Pelagio KP, Muriel J, O'Neill A, Desmond PF, Lovering RM, Lund L, Bond M, Bloch RJ. Myopathic changes in murine skeletal muscle lacking synemin. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2015; 308:C448-62. [PMID: 25567810 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00331.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Diseases of striated muscle linked to intermediate filament (IF) proteins are associated with defects in the organization of the contractile apparatus and its links to costameres, which connect the sarcomeres to the cell membrane. Here we study the role in skeletal muscle of synemin, a type IV IF protein, by examining mice null for synemin (synm-null). Synm-null mice have a mild skeletal muscle phenotype. Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles show a significant decrease in mean fiber diameter, a decrease in twitch and tetanic force, and an increase in susceptibility to injury caused by lengthening contractions. Organization of proteins associated with the contractile apparatus and costameres is not significantly altered in the synm-null. Elastimetry of the sarcolemma and associated contractile apparatus in extensor digitorum longus myofibers reveals a reduction in tension consistent with an increase in sarcolemmal deformability. Although fatigue after repeated isometric contractions is more marked in TA muscles of synm-null mice, the ability of the mice to run uphill on a treadmill is similar to controls. Our results suggest that synemin contributes to linkage between costameres and the contractile apparatus and that the absence of synemin results in decreased fiber size and increased sarcolemmal deformability and susceptibility to injury. Thus synemin plays a moderate but distinct role in fast twitch skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla P García-Pelagio
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joaquin Muriel
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrea O'Neill
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Patrick F Desmond
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard M Lovering
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Linda Lund
- Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland; and
| | - Meredith Bond
- College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Robert J Bloch
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland;
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Aurora A, Garg K, Corona BT, Walters TJ. Physical rehabilitation improves muscle function following volumetric muscle loss injury. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2014; 6:41. [PMID: 25598983 PMCID: PMC4297368 DOI: 10.1186/2052-1847-6-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Given the clinical practice of prescribing physical rehabilitation for the treatment of VML injuries, the present study examined the functional and histomorphological adaptations in the volumetric muscle loss (VML) injured muscle to physical rehabilitation. Methods Tibialis anterior muscle VML injury was created in Lewis rats (n = 32), and were randomly assigned to either sedentary (SED) or physical rehabilitation (RUN) group. After 1 week, RUN rats were given unlimited access to voluntary running wheels either 1 or 7 weeks (2 or 8 weeks post-injury). At 2 weeks post-injury, TA muscles were harvested for molecular analyses. At 8 weeks post-injury, the rats underwent in vivo function testing. The explanted tissue was analyzed using histological and immunofluorescence procedures. Results The primary findings of the study are that physical rehabilitation in the form of voluntary wheel running promotes ~ 17% improvement in maximal isometric torque, and a ~ 13% increase in weight of the injured muscle, but it did so without significant morphological adaptations (e.g., no hypertrophy and hyperplasia). Wheel running up-regulated metabolic genes (SIRT-1, PGC-1α) only in the uninjured muscles, and a greater deposition of fibrous tissue in the defect area of the injured muscle preceded by an up-regulation of pro-fibrotic genes (Collagen I, TGF-β1). Therefore, it is plausible that the wheel running related functional improvements were due to improved force transmission and not muscle regeneration. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate improvement in functional performance of non-repaired VML injured muscle with physical rehabilitation in the form of voluntary wheel running. This study provides information for the first time on the basic changes in the VML injured muscle with physical rehabilitation, which may aid in the development of appropriate physical rehabilitation regimen(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Aurora
- Department of the Army, Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Surgical Research, 3650 Chambers Pass, JBSA Ft Sam, Houston, TX 78234-7767 USA
| | - Koyal Garg
- Department of the Army, Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Surgical Research, 3650 Chambers Pass, JBSA Ft Sam, Houston, TX 78234-7767 USA
| | - Benjamin T Corona
- Department of the Army, Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Surgical Research, 3650 Chambers Pass, JBSA Ft Sam, Houston, TX 78234-7767 USA
| | - Thomas J Walters
- Department of the Army, Extremity Trauma and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Surgical Research, 3650 Chambers Pass, JBSA Ft Sam, Houston, TX 78234-7767 USA
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De Aro AA, Guerra FDR, Esquisatto MAM, Nakagaki WR, Gomes L, Pimentel ER. Biochemical and morphological alterations in the Achilles tendon of mdx mice. Microsc Res Tech 2014; 78:85-93. [PMID: 25327690 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Dystrophin-deficient muscles have repeated cycles of necrosis and regeneration, being susceptible to injury induced by muscle contractions. Some studies have demonstrated that tendons are also affected in mdx mice, based especially on the changes in biomechanical properties arising from the respective linked muscles. However, most studies have focused only on alterations in the myotendinous junction. Thus, the purpose of this work was to study biochemical and morphological alterations in the Achilles tendons of 60-day-old mdx mice. Hydroxyproline quantification, showed higher collagen concentration in the mdx mice as compared with the control. No difference between the tendons of both groups was found in the noncollagenous proteins dosage, and in the amount of collagen type III detected in the western blotting analysis. The zymography for gelatinases detection showed higher amounts of metaloproteinase-2 (active isoform) and of metalloproteinase-9 (latent isoform) in the mdx mice. Measurements of birefringence, using polarization microscopy, showed higher molecular organization of the collagen fibers in the tendons of mdx mice in comparison to the control group, with presence of larger areas of crimp. Ponceau SS-stained tendon sections showed stronger staining of the extracellular matrix in the mdx groups. Toluidine blue-stained sections showed more intense basophilia in tendons of the control group. In morphometry, a higher number of inflammatory cells was detected in the epitendon of mdx group. In conclusion, the Achilles tendon of 60-day-old mdx mice presents higher collagen concentration and organization of the collagen fibers, enhanced metalloproteinase-2 activity, as well as prominent presence of inflammatory cells and lesser proteoglycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Aparecida De Aro
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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