Effects of 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol on satellite cell proliferation and differentiation of broilers

In the modern poultry industry, with increasing product demand, muscle growth rate and meat yield in chickens have tremendously changed. Understanding the regulation of muscle development is important to maintain efficient growth and development in meat-type chickens. 20(S)-hydroxycholesterol (20S) is known as one of the naturally occurring osteogenic cholesterol derivatives due to its ability to induce osteogenic differentiation; however, no studies have evaluated myogenic response to 20S in chicken muscle cells. To determine the use of 20S in vitro for the proliferation and differentiation of chicken satellite cells, satellite cells were isolated from pectoralis major muscle of 4-week-old Ross 708 male chickens and subjected to 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μmol of 20S during their proliferation and differentiation stages. Cell proliferation and differentiation were measured every 24 h for 72 h by determining DNA concentration, the activity of creatine kinase, and the expressions of myogenic regulatory transcription factors. Together these results suggested that a lower concentration of 20S did not affect myogenesis but a high concentration of 1.0 μmol 20S can negatively affect proliferation and differentiation in chicken satellite cells.

Effect of early posthatch supplementation of vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids on the severity of wooden breast, breast muscle morphological structure, and gene expression in the broiler breast muscle

Wooden breast (WB) has arisen primarily in the breast muscle of commercial broilers. It is characterized by palpation of a rigid pectoralis major (p. major) muscle and is under severe oxidative stress and inflammation. Previous studies have shown that vitamin E (VE) has antioxidant properties and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect. The objectives of this study were to identify the effects of VE and n-3 fatty acids on the severity of WB, morphological structure of the p. major muscle, expression of genes likely associated with WB and to determine the most beneficial supplementation period. A total of 210 Ross 708 broilers were randomly assigned into 7 treatments with 10 replicates of 3 birds each. The control group received a corn–soybean meal basal diet during the entire study (0–58 d). Supplementation of VE (200 IU/kg), n-3 fatty acids (n-6/n-3 ratio of 3.2:1), or combination of both were fed during the starter phase (0–10 d) or grower phase (11–24 d). All broilers were harvested at 58 d of age. Morphological assessment of the p. major muscle included myofiber width, perimysial and endomysial connective tissue space, overall morphological structure, and scoring of WB microscopically. Gene expression was measured using nanostring analysis. Genes associated with muscle development and growth factors, inflammation, extracellular matrix, and glucose metabolism were differentially expressed in the p. major muscle of the broilers supplemented with VE in the grower diet. Greater than 2 times more giant myofibers (≥70 μm) were found in the group supplemented with VE and n-3 fatty acids in the starter diet compared with the group fed VE in the grower diet (P = 0.02). Microscopic evaluation showed that VE supplementation in the grower diet had a 16.19% increase in muscle with no WB compared with the control group (P = 0.05). These data suggest that supplementation of VE during the grower phase may reduce the severity of WB in broilers.

Transcriptome analysis of post-hatch breast muscle in legacy and modern broiler chickens reveals enrichment of several regulators of myogenic growth

Agriculture provides excellent model systems for understanding how selective pressure, as applied by humans, can affect the genomes of plants and animals. One such system is modern poultry breeding in which intensive genetic selection has been applied for meat production in the domesticated chicken. As a result, modern meat-type chickens (broilers) exhibit enhanced growth, especially of the skeletal muscle, relative to their legacy counterparts. Comparative studies of modern and legacy broiler chickens provide an opportunity to identify genes and pathways affected by this human-directed evolution. This study used RNA-seq to compare the transcriptomes of a modern and a legacy broiler line to identify differentially enriched genes in the breast muscle at days 6 and 21 post-hatch. Among the 15,945 genes analyzed, 10,841 were expressed at greater than 0.1 RPKM. At day 6 post-hatch 189 genes, including several regulators of myogenic growth and development, were differentially enriched between the two lines. The transcriptional profiles between lines at day 21 post-hatch identify 193 genes differentially enriched and still include genes associated with myogenic growth. This study identified differentially enriched genes that regulate myogenic growth and differentiation between the modern and legacy broiler lines. Specifically, differences in the ratios of several positive (IGF1, IGF1R, WFIKKN2) and negative (MSTN, ACE) myogenic growth regulators may help explain the differences underlying the enhanced growth characteristics of the modern broilers.

The effects of intraperitoneal clenbuterol injection on protein degradation and myostatin expression differ between the sartorius and pectoral muscles of neonatal chicks

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of injection of the β2-adrenergic receptor agonist clenbuterol on the skeletal muscles of neonatal chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus). One-day-old chicks were randomly divided into four groups and given a single intraperitoneal injection of clenbuterol (0.01, 0.1, or 1mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline. Twenty-four hours after the injection, the sartorius muscles (which consist of both slow- and fast-twitch fibers) of chicks that received 0.01 or 0.1mg/kg clenbuterol were significantly heavier than those of controls, while there were no between-group differences in the weight of the pectoral muscles, which consist of only fast-twitch fibers. Muscle free N(t)-methylhistidine, regarded as an index of myofibrillar proteolysis, was decreased in the sartorius muscle of the clenbuterol-injected chicks, while it was not affected in the pectoral muscles. In the sartorius muscle of the clenbuterol-injected chicks, myostatin and atrogin-1/MAFbx mRNA expressions were decreased, while insulin-like growth factor-I was unaffected. These observations suggested, in 1-day-old chicks, clenbuterol might increase mass of the sartorius muscle by decreasing myostatin gene expression and protein degradation.

Extracellular matrix proteoglycan decorin-mediated myogenic satellite cell responsiveness to transforming growth factor-beta1 during cell proliferation and differentiation Decorin and transforming growth factor-beta1 in satellite cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a potent inhibitor of muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. Decorin, a small proteoglycan in the extracellular matrix, binds to TGF-beta1 and modulates the activity of TGF-beta1 during muscle cell growth and development. However, its interaction with TGF-beta1 and involvement in myogenesis is not well characterized. In the present study, chicken myogenic satellite cells, myogenic precursors for muscle growth and repair, were isolated from the pectoralis major muscle and used to investigate the biological function of TGF-beta1 and decorin during myogenesis. The over-expression of decorin in satellite cells significantly increased cell proliferation, compared to the control cells. Consistent with this result, reducing decorin expression decreased cell proliferation, which suggests a decorin-mediated mechanism is involved in the regulation of myogenic satellite cell proliferation. Satellite cells over-expressing decorin were less sensitive to TGF-beta1 during proliferation, which indicates that decorin may sequester TGF-beta1 leading to increased proliferation. During satellite cell differentiation, the over-expression of decorin induced differentiation by increasing the muscle specific creatine kinase concentration. However, the addition of TGF-beta1 diminished decorin-mediated cell responsiveness to TGF-beta1 during differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that decorin induces myogenic satellite cell proliferation and differentiation by regulating cellular responsiveness to TGF-beta1. An alternative TGF-beta1-independent pathway may be involved in the regulation of satellite cells by decorin.

Early post-hatch fasting induces satellite cell self-renewal

Early post-hatch satellite cell kinetics are an important aspect of muscle development, and understanding the interplay between fasting and muscle development will lead to improvements in muscle mass following an illness, and optimal meat production. The objective of this experiment was to test the influence of immediate post-hatch fasting on satellite cells in the poult. Male Nicholas poults (Meleagris gallopavo) were placed into two treatments: a fed treatment with immediate access to feed and water upon placement and a fasted treatment without access to feed and water for the first three days post-hatch. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected intra-abdominally in all poults to label mitotically active satellite cells. The pectoralis thoracicus muscle was harvested two hours following the BrdU injection. Immunohistochemistry for BrdU, Pax7, Bcl-2, Pax7 with BrdU, and determining myofiber cross-sectional area along with computer-based image analysis was used to study muscle development. Fed poults had higher body masses throughout the experiment (P< or =0.01), and they had higher pectoralis thoracicus muscle mass (P< or =0.01) at ten days of age than the fasted poults. Fed poults had higher satellite cell mitotic activity at three days and four days of age (P< or =0.01) compared to the fasted poults. However, Pax7 labeling index was higher in the fasted poults (P< or =0.01) at three days, four days, and five days post-hatch than the fed group. Similarly Bcl-2 labeling was higher in the fasted than in the fed group at three days post-hatch. Therefore, fasting depleted proliferating satellite cells indicated by the lower BrdU labeling in the fasted poults compared to the fed poults, and conserved the satellite cell proliferative reserve indicated by the higher level of Pax7 labeling for the fasted poults compared to the fed poults.

Desmin filaments are stably associated with the outer nuclear surface in chick myoblasts

Eukaryotic cells have highly organized, interconnected intracellular compartments. The nuclear surface and cytoplasmic cytoskeletal filaments represent compartments involved in such an association. Intermediate filaments are the major cytoskeletal elements in this association. Desmin is a muscle-specific structural protein and one of the earliest known muscle-specific genes to be expressed during cardiac and skeletal muscle development. Desmin filaments have been shown to be associated with the nuclear surface in the myogenic cell line C2C12. Previous studies have revealed that mice lacking desmin develop imperfect muscle, exhibiting the loss of nuclear shape and positioning. In the present work, we have analyzed the association between desmin filaments and the outer nuclear surface in nuclei isolated from pectoral skeletal muscle of chick embryos and in primary chick myogenic cell cultures by using immunofluorescence microscopy, negative staining, immunogold, and transmission electron microscopy. We show that desmin filaments remain firmly attached to the outer nuclear surface after the isolation of nuclei. Furthermore, positive localization of desmin persists after gentle washing of the nuclei with high ionic strength solutions. These data suggest that desmin intermediate filaments are stably and firmly connected to the outer nuclear surface in skeletal muscles cells in vivo and in vitro.

Thrombospondin-1 inhibits endothelial cell responses to nitric oxide in a cGMP-dependent manner

Redox signaling plays an important role in the positive regulation of angiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor, but its role in signal transduction by angiogenesis inhibitors is less clear. Using muscle explants in 3D culture, we found that explants from mice lacking the angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) exhibit exaggerated angiogenic responses to an exogenous NO donor, which could be reversed by providing exogenous TSP1. To define the basis for inhibition by TSP1, we examined the effects of TSP1 on several proangiogenic responses of endothelial cells to NO. NO has a biphasic effect on endothelial cell proliferation. The positive effect at low doses of NO is sensitive to inhibition of cGMP signaling and picomolar concentrations of TSP1. NO stimulates both directed (chemotactic) and random (chemokinetic) motility of endothelial cells in a cGMP-dependent manner. TSP1 potently inhibits chemotaxis stimulated by NO. Low doses of NO also stimulate adhesion of endothelial cells on type I collagen in a cGMP-dependent manner. TSP1 potently inhibits this response both upstream and downstream of cGMP. NO-stimulated endothelial cell responses are inhibited by recombinant type 1 repeats of TSP1 and a CD36 agonist antibody but not by the N-terminal portion of TSP1, suggesting that CD36 or a related receptor mediates these effects. These results demonstrate a potent antagonism between TSP1 and proangiogenic signaling downstream of NO. Further elucidation of this inhibitory signaling pathway may identify new molecular targets to regulate pathological angiogenesis.

Nitric oxide regulates angiogenesis through a functional switch involving thrombospondin-1

Nitric oxide (NO) donors have been shown to stimulate and inhibit the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Recently, we have shown distinct thresholds for NO to regulate p53-Ser-15P, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), and hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha in tumor cells. Because these signaling pathways also promote the growth and survival of endothelial cells, we examined their roles in angiogenic responses of venous endothelial cells and vascular outgrowth of muscle explants elicited by NO. An additional protein involved in the regulation of angiogenesis is thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), a matricellular glycoprotein known to influence adhesion, migration, and proliferation of endothelial cells. Here we demonstrate a triphasic regulation of TSP1 mediated by a slow and prolonged release of NO that depends on ERK phosphorylation. Under conditions of 5% serum, a 24-h exposure of NO donor (0.1-1,000 microM) mediated a triphasic response in the expression of TSP1 protein: decreasing at 0.1 microM, rebounding at 100 microM, and decreasing again at 1,000 microM. Under the same conditions, we observed a dose-dependent increase in P53 phosphorylation and inverse biphasic responses of pERK and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1. Both the growth-stimulating activity of low-dose NO for endothelial cells and suppression of TSP1 expression were ERK-dependent. Conversely, exogenous TSP1 suppressed NO-mediated pERK. These results suggest that dose-dependent positive- and negative-feedback loops exist between NO and TSP1. Limiting TSP1 expression by positive feedback through the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway may facilitate switching to a proangiogenic state at low doses of NO.

Variation in fibroblast growth factor response and heparan sulfate proteoglycan production in satellite cell populations

Variation in the responsiveness of myogenic satellite cell subpopulations to mitogenic stimuli was examined in cells isolated from the turkey pectoralis major muscle. Faster growing clonal cell populations were more responsive to fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and expressed greater levels of FGF-2 and FGF receptor-1 at the onset of proliferation than did slower growing cells. Faster growing clones also expressed higher levels of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), especially during differentiation, than did slower growing clones. HSPG, which is important in FGF receptor signaling, increased during proliferation of all clones tested and decreased in all but one of the clones during differentiation. Slower growing clones increased their expression of FGF receptor-1 through proliferation and differentiation. However, expression of the receptor in faster growing clones decreased during differentiation. The FGF receptors-2 and -3 were not detected on turkey satellite cells or myotubes by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction methodology. These results demonstrate that there is heterogeneity in the properties and responsiveness of satellite cell populations derived from single muscles. Satellite cells that differ in proliferation rates differ in responsiveness to FGF-2, and in the expression of FGF-2, FGF receptor-1, and HSPG.

The effect of early posthatch nutrition on satellite cell mitotic activity

Myofiber growth is dependent upon the contribution of new nuclei from the mitotically active satellite cell population. The objective of this study was to examine satellite cell mitotic activity in conjunction with different nutritional paradigms during the early posthatch period. Turkey poults were provided a standard turkey starter diet; the starter diet top-dressed with a hydrated low-fat, highly digestible protein and carbohydrate nutritional hatchling supplement, Oasis; the starter diet top-dressed with Solka-floc dyed green; or no food for the first 3 d posthatch. All birds were fed a standard starter diet during the experimental period. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was continuously infused into all treatments (n = 5 all groups) between hatch and 3 d of age. A second group of identically treated poults housed in separate pens (n = 3 to 5) was continuously infused with BrdU between 2 and 9 d of age. Mitotically active satellite cells were identified in the pectoralis thoracicus and quantitated using BrdU immunohistochemistry in combination with computer-based image analysis. Satellite cell mitotic activity was significantly higher (P < or = 0.05) in the birds fed a standard starter diet compared to all other treatments at 3 d posthatch. However, there were no (P > or = 0.05) differences in satellite cell mitotic activity among treatments at 9 d posthatch. The results of the current study suggest that any improvements in meat yield through early nutritional supplementation do not appear to occur through a satellite cell pathway and that there is no compensatory response in the satellite cell population following refeeding after early posthatch starvation.

Developmental expression of skeletal muscle heparan sulfate proteoglycans in turkeys with different growth rates

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) are a group of extracellular matrix molecules that link skeletal muscle cells to their extrinsic environment. To investigate if HSPG expression is affected by muscle growth and gender, a turkey line (F) selected for increased 16-wk BW and its unselected random-bred control line, RBC2, were used in the present study. Heparan sulfate (HS) and HSPG levels were measured in embryonic and posthatch pectoralis major muscle. HS levels plateaued at embryonic day (ED) 16 in both lines. A significant decrease of HS occurred at ED 18 in F males and females, and at ED 20 and 22 in the RBC2 males and females, respectively. Embryonic HSPG levels peaked at ED 18, and were significantly higher from ED 14 through 18 in F males and females compared with those of the RBC2 line. Male pectoralis major muscle had more HSPG at early embryonic stages than female muscle in both lines. During 1 to 16 wk posthatch, F male and female pectoralis major muscle contained more HSPG than the RBC2 samples, and HSPG levels in F males were higher than those of the females. Myogenic satellite cells derived from F and RBC2 male and female pectoralis major muscle were cultured to measure HSPG expression during proliferation and differentiation. No significant difference in HSPG level was found between the RBC2 and F line cells. However, in both lines, male-derived satellite cells had more HSPG than the female cells during proliferation and differentiation. These data show that HS and HSPG expression are affected by muscle growth properties and sex.

Expression of multiple troponin T isoforms in chicken breast muscle regeneration induced by sub-serous implantation

Chicken fast-muscle type (F-type) troponin T (TnT) isoforms are classified into two types, leg-muscle type (L-type) and breast-muscle type (B-type), which are generated by exclusion and inclusion of exon x series-derived sequences in mRNAs, respectively. The B-type isoforms are further classified into neonatal breast-muscle (BN), young chicken breast-muscle (BC), and adult chicken breast-muscle (BA) subtypes. It is known that the multiple F-type TnT isoforms are transiently expressed in the breast muscle tissue during normal development. To examine whether the transition of the isoforms was fixed in muscle cell lineage, breast muscle pieces (pectoralis major) of 1-day old chicks were cultured under gizzard serous membrane of the same chicks for 60 days at the longest. TnT isoform expression of the implants was monitored by immunoblotting and immunostaining using anti-F-type TnT against both L-type and B-type isoforms, anti-exon x3 against only B-type isoforms, and anti-S-type TnT against slow-muscle-type (S-type) isoforms. Muscle fibers in the implant degenerated first, and then new myotubes expressing L-type isoforms were formed by the fusion of myoblasts from surviving satellite cells. When the maturation of the myotubes into myofibers proceeded, BN-, BC-, and BA-subtype isoforms were expressed in the order of developmental stage specific-manner, indicating that the order of appearance of these isoforms was fixed in muscle cell lineage. In immunostaining of the implants recovered on the 60th day after implantation, at least three kinds of the regenerated myofibers were observed, expressing mainly B-type, both B-type and L-type, and only L-type isoforms. The immunohistochemical results suggested that the regulation of alternative splicing of F-type TnT pre-mRNAs was different among individual myofibers, and that the regulation was programmed in myogenic cells, probably satellite cells, which were the primary source of the fibers.

Heterogeneity in growth and differentiation characteristics in male and female satellite cells isolated from turkey lines with different growth rates

The effects of growth- and gender-related differences on satellite cell proliferation and differentiation were investigated using satellite cells isolated from the pectoralis major muscle of a turkey line selected for increased 16-week body weight (F-line) and its unselected randombred control (RBC2-line). Proliferation rates within the F- and RBC2-lines did not differ between sexes. The F-line male and female satellite cells when compared to the RBC2-line male and female satellite cells proliferated at a faster rate. Differentiation rates were increased for the F-line male cells compared to both the F-line female and RBC2-line male satellite cells. No difference in differentiation rate was noted within the RBC2-line satellite cells. For satellite cells from females, the RBC2-line differentiated faster than the F-line. Morphological data on myotube length and the number of nuclei per myotube supported the differentiation data in that F-line male satellite cells had the longest myotubes with the most nuclei, there was no significant difference between myotubes within the RBC2-line, and female-derived myotubes from the RBC2-line were longer than those of the F-line by 96 h of fusion. These data are suggestive of both growth- and gender- related differences in satellite cell proliferation and differentiation.

MyoD, myogenin, and desmin-nls-lacZ transgene emphasize the distinct patterns of satellite cell activation in growth and regeneration

Although satellite cell differentiation is involved in postnatal myogenesis from growth to posttrauma regeneration, the early stages of this process remain unclear. This study investigated pHuDes-nls-lacZ transgene activity, as revealed by X-gal staining and the accumulation of MyoD, myogenin, endogenous desmin, and myosin, in order to determine whether satellite cells share the same activation program during growth and regeneration. After birth, skeletal myonuclei in which myogenin expression was limited were briefly characterized by transgene activity. Satellite cells were only evidenced by MyoD and slow myosin accumulation, but failed to initiate transgene expression. After freeze trauma, satellite cell activation led to MyoD, myogenin, and desmin expression. Subsequently, when myosin expression occurred, transgene activation was apparent in regenerating structures, with more intense X-gal staining in mononucleated cells than regenerating myotubes. After the second week posttrauma, only desmin and myogenin expression were maintained in regenerating structures. In culture, the behavior of satellite cells showed that desmin expression was committed before transgene activation occurred, i.e., concurrently with MyoD, myogenin, myosin expression, and the first fusion events. Quantitative analysis confirmed the discrepancy between endogenous desmin and transgene expression and demonstrated the close correlation between transgene activation and the fusion index. Our results strongly suggest that satellite cells promote distinct pathways of myogenic response during growth and regeneration.

In vitro characteristics of myogenic satellite cells derived from the pectoralis major and biceps femoris muscles of the chicken

Satellite cells were isolated from the pectoralis major (PM) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles of 5-week-old broiler chickens to compare growth and differentiation characteristics in vitro. BF cells proliferated at greater rates in the growth medium and were more responsive to the mitogenic effects of chicken serum than PM cells at all levels tested (p < or = 0.05). When low serum-containing medium was administered, the levels of creatine kinase, a marker of differentiation, increased at greater rates in PM cultures than in BF cultures (p < or = 0.05). Administration of increasing levels of fibroblast growth factor in serum-free medium resulted in similar responsiveness of the two lines to this mitogen. No differences were detected in rates of protein synthesis or degradation in myotube cultures from the two muscle sources. The results suggest that satellite cells derived from PM and BF muscles of the chicken have different responsiveness to serum mitogens.

In vitro characterization of chondrogenic cells isolated from chick embryonic muscle using peanut agglutinin affinity chromatography

Specific binding to the lectin, peanut agglutinin (PNA), has been reported in embryonic precartilage tissues, including the condensing limb bud blastema and the caudal half of the developing somite. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that PNA-binding may be a surface characteristic of chondroprogenitor cells residing within noncartilage tissues, such as muscle, which have the potential of being induced to form cartilage, e.g., in the presence of bone matrix-derived factors. Day-14 chick embryonic pectoral muscle, which contained histochemically detectable PNA-binding cells, was dissociated into single cells (TM cells) and fractionated by PNA affinity chromatography into PNA-binding (PNA+) and nonbinding (PNA-) cells by PNA-Sepharose 6 MB affinity chromatography. The differentiation potential of the PNA-affinity fractionated cells in vitro was analyzed as a function of culture plating cell density. Immunohistochemistry of a number of cell-type-specific differentiation markers, including sarcomeric actin, collagen type II, and aggrecan core protein, demonstrated that PNA+ cells, when cultured as a micromass at high density (20 x 10(6) cells/ml), exhibited a chondrocyte-like phenotype, whereas the PNA-cells remained myogenic; however, both PNA+ and PNA- monolayer cultures (4 x 10(4) cells/ml) behaved as myoblastic cells. The expression of collagen type II mRNA was also confirmed by coupled reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction analysis. These observations suggest that PNA binding, i.e., the presence of specific galactose-containing cell surface moieties, is likely to be one of the characteristics of chondrogenic cells residing in mesenchymally derived embryonic tissues.

Comparison of growth factor receptors and metabolic characteristics of satellite cells derived from the biceps femoris and pectoralis major muscles of the turkey

Myogenic satellite cells were isolated from the turkey pectoralis major (PM), a muscle composed largely of white fibers, and the biceps femoris (BF), a muscle composed largely of red fibers, and their properties were compared in culture. Satellite cells derived from the PM and BF muscles exhibited differences in metabolic parameters, growth factor receptor characteristics, and mitogenic responses. PM satellite cells exhibited greater responsiveness to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and the PDGF receptor on these cells had a higher affinity toward ligand compared to BF cells (P < 0.05). Protein synthesis, protein degradation, and glucose uptake rates were higher in BF satellite cell cultures (P < 0.05), correlating with previously reported in vivo measurements using red and white muscle fibers.

Stimulation of avian myoblast differentiation by triiodothyronine: possible involvement of the cAMP pathway

In a previous work, we have shown that T3 induces a potent stimulation of avian myoblast differentiation. In this study, we demonstrated that this hormone did not affect MyoD and myogenin expression. As numerous data suggest that T3 could affect the cAMP pathway, we have studied its involvement in the myogenic activity of triiodothyronine on quail myoblast. In agreement with Zalin and Montagues (Cell 2, 103-108 (1974)), we observed a transient rise in myoblast intracellular cAMP level some hours before the onset of terminal differentiation. Interestingly, this rise occurred earlier in T3-treated than in control myoblasts, and cAMP production was significantly increased by the hormone. Moreover, T3 increased CREB transcriptional activity, thus suggesting that the entire cAMP signaling pathway was stimulated by this hormone. In addition, we observed that addition of an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase activity prior to the cAMP rise dramatically inhibited myoblast differentiation. Last, we showed that cAMP mimicked all T3 actions upon myoblast differentiation: (1) T3 and cAMP reduced myoblast proliferation by increasing the number of postmitotic myoblasts at cell confluence; (2) T3 and cAMP increased BTG1 nuclear accumulation; (3) T3 and cAMP stimulated terminal differentiation only when added during the proliferative phasis. These data strongly suggest that the transient rise in cAMP production could be essential for myoblast terminal differentiation. In addition, it appears that, at least in avian myoblasts, T3 stimulation of terminal differentiation involves the cAMP pathway.

The activity of an endoplasmic reticulum-localized pool of acetylcholinesterase is modulated by heat shock

Primary cultures prepared from embryonic chick pectoral muscle were subjected to heat shock, and the effect on acetylcholinesterase activity in the cultures was examined. A rapid recovery in enzyme activity was observed soon after an initial heat shock-induced drop and was shown to be independent of de novo synthesis of protein, since it could occur in the presence of an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Lectin binding and sucrose gradient centrifugation studies suggested that molecular monomers and dimers found in the endoplasmic reticulum are involved in the observed recovery of acetylcholinesterase activity. Enhanced activation of a pre-existing pool of inactive enzyme was clearly not the main agent of the recovery in enzymic activity. Recovery relied principally on restoration of the activity of previously active, heat-denatured acetylcholinesterase molecules found in the endoplasmic reticulum. Possible agents involved in the recovery of enzymatic activity might be heat shock proteins acting as molecular chaperones.

Temporal appearance of satellite cells during myogenesis

In this study, differences between fetal and adult myoblasts in clonal and high density culture have been used to determine when adult myoblasts can first be detected during avian development. The results indicate that avian adult myoblasts are apparent as a distinct population of myoblasts during the midfetal stage of development. Three different criteria were used to differentiate fetal and adult myoblasts and demonstrate when adult myoblasts become a major proportion of the myoblast population: (1) differences in slow myosin heavy chain 1 (MHC1) isoform expression, (2) initiation of DNA synthetic activity, and (3) average myoblast length. Fetal chicken (ED10-12) pectoralis muscle (PM) myoblasts form myotubes that express slow MHC1 after prolonged culture, while adult chicken PM myoblasts do not. Fetal avian myoblasts were active in DNA synthesis and large when first isolated, reaching peak rates of synthesis by 24 hr in culture, while adult myoblasts were inactive in DNA synthesis and small when first isolated, only reaching peak rates of DNA synthesis and size at 3 days of incubation. A dramatic decrease in the percentage of muscle colonies with fibers that expressed slow MHC1 was observed between the midfetal stage and hatching in the chicken, along with a corresponding decrease in myoblast DNA synthetic activity and average length during this same period in both the chicken and the quail. Myoblast activity and average length increased again 3-4 days posthatch and a small transient increase in the number of slow MHC1-expressing clones was also associated with the massive growth of muscle that occurs in the neonatal bird. We conclude that adult myoblasts are present as a distinct population of myoblasts at least as early as the midfetal stages of avian development.

Comparison of microscopic and laser diffraction methods for measuring sarcomere lengths of contracted muscle fibers of chicken pectoralis major muscle

The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of a microscopy method with a laser diffraction method for measuring sarcomere lengths of chicken pectoralis major (p. major) muscle fibers exhibiting various contraction states. Chicken p. major muscles were excised from the animals at death. Samples of each muscle were treated with pH-buffered (5.0 and 7.5) isoionic CaCl2, KCl, or ethylene glycol bis-(b-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) solutions in order to produce variability in the degree of fiber contraction. Sarcomere lengths (SL) of the fibers were observed using light microscopy and a laser diffraction method. The methods gave comparable results for sarcomere lengths greater than 1.6 microns. However, for SL less than 1.6 microns, sarcomere contraction was not accurately assessed by the laser diffraction method.

The turkey myogenic satellite cell: optimization of in vitro proliferation and differentiation

Myogenic satellite cells were isolated from the pectoralis major muscle of young growing tom turkeys. These cells were capable of proliferating and forming large multinucleated myotubes in vitro. Of 36 media-sera combinations evaluated, McCoy's 5A medium containing 15% chicken serum (CS) promoted the greatest level of proliferation and subsequent myotube formation when cells were induced to differentiate (P less than 0.05). Myotube formation was maximized following exposure of cultures to Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) containing 1% horse serum (HS; DMEM-1% HS) for 4 days. Satellite cells grown under these conditions generally resulted in cultures containing greater than 90% fused nuclei. Cells plated in the presence of DMEM-10% HS resulted in greater attachment and larger cultures (and consequently a greater fused nuclei number) when transferred to growth media than similarly grown cultures plated in McCoy's 5A medium-10% CS, regardless of substrata tested (P less than 0.05). The greatest proliferation and myotube formation was seen in cultures grown in gelatin-coated wells. Proliferation was maximized in McCoy's 5A medium containing 18% CS, although this was not significantly different than the proliferation with media containing 15% CS (P greater than 0.05). Our results (1) document that the postnatal myogenic satellite cell can be isolated from the turkey in sufficient quantities for biological studies and (2) identify culture conditions which optimize proliferation and differentiation of these cells in vitro.

Organization of filaments underneath the plasma membrane of developing chicken skeletal muscle cells in vitro revealed by the freeze-dry and rotary replica method

Cytoskeletal organization and its association with plasma membranes in embryonic chick skeletal muscle cells in vitro was studied by the freeze-drying and rotary-shadowing method of physically ruptured cells. The cytoskeletal filaments underlying the plasma membranes were sparse in myogenic cells at the stage when cells exhibited great lipid fluidity in plasma membranes (fusion competent mononucleated myoblasts and recently fused young myotubes). Myotubes at more advanced stages of development possessed a highly interconnected dense filamentous network just underneath the cell membrane. This subsarcolemmal network was composed predominantly of 8-10 nm filaments; they were identified as actin filaments because of their decoration with myosin subfragment-1. Fine fibrils having a diameter of 3-5 nm were found on the protoplasmic surface of the plasmalemma at both the early and advanced stages of development. They were associated with the subsarcolemmal cytoskeletal filaments. Short 2-5 nm cross-linking filaments were occasionally seen between filaments in the subsarcolemmal network. We conclude that, although the subsarcolemmal cytoskeletal network contains many actin filaments, this domain appears to play some role in preserving the cell shape in the form of the membrane skeleton rather than membrane mobility.

Cell surface changes during muscle differentiation in vitro: a study with the probe 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonate

Cell surface changes during muscle differentiation in vitro, were investigated using the non permeant probe 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonate (TNBS) in order to label the aminogroups of proteins exposed on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. Surface proteins of chick myotubes and 'mature' unfused myoblasts (myoblasts grown for 7 days in a calcium-depleted medium) were found to bind an equal amount of probe, which is twice the amount bound by surface proteins in 'immature' myoblasts (1--2 days of culture) and fibroblasts. This indicates that a 'remodelling' of the plasma membrane outer surface takes place in the course of muscle cell differentiation even in the absence of cell fusion. Moreover, the total amount of TNBS bound to the surface was 4--5 times greater in myotubes than in unfused myoblasts. This appears to result from the surface expansion which occurs in myotubes during the development of the T tubule system.

Interrelationship amongst the avian orders Galliformes, Columbiformes, and Anseriformes as evinced by the fiber types in the pectoralis muscle

The three types of fiber red, white, and intermediate have been characterized from a study of the pectoralis muscle of some representative species of birds of the orders Galliformes, Columbiformes, and Anseriformes. The presence of all the three types was characteristic of the Galliformes except for the Japanese quail, which had only two types, red and white, the former predominating. All the columbiform and anseriform birds studied had similar fiber composition as the Japanese quail. It is postulated that these three orders of birds are closely related phylogenetically.The small red fibers which are known to be adapted for aerobic metabolism metabolizing fat as the main fuel for energy indulge in sustained flight activity whereas the large white fibers, which are adapted for anaerobic metabolism utilizing glycogen, are responsible for quick and short-term activity as in takeoff and in manoeuvring quick and sudden turns while in flight. In the heaviest birds such as the Canada geese, which have a heavy load to lift in the takeoff and also to keep afloat while in the air, were found to possess the largest white and red fibers.