scholarly journals A cell-autonomous role for the glucocorticoid receptor in skeletal muscle atrophy induced by systemic glucocorticoid exposure

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (10) ◽  
pp. E1210-E1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica L. Watson ◽  
Leslie M. Baehr ◽  
Holger M. Reichardt ◽  
Jan P. Tuckermann ◽  
Sue C. Bodine ◽  
...  

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are important regulators of skeletal muscle mass, and prolonged exposure will induce significant muscle atrophy. To better understand the mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy induced by elevated GC levels, we examined three different models: exogenous synthetic GC treatment [dexamethasone (DEX)], nutritional deprivation, and denervation. Specifically, we tested the direct contribution of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in skeletal muscle atrophy by creating a muscle-specific GR-knockout mouse line (MGRe3KO) using Cre-lox technology. In MGRe3KO mice, we found that the GR is essential for muscle atrophy in response to high-dose DEX treatment. In addition, DEX regulation of multiple genes, including two important atrophy markers, MuRF1 and MAFbx, is eliminated completely in the MGRe3KO mice. In a condition where endogenous GCs are elevated, such as nutritional deprivation, induction of MuRF1 and MAFbx was inhibited, but not completely blocked, in MGRe3KO mice. In response to sciatic nerve lesion and hindlimb muscle denervation, muscle atrophy and upregulation of MuRF1 and MAFbx occurred to the same extent in both wild-type and MGRe3KO mice, indicating that a functional GR is not required to induce atrophy under these conditions. Therefore, we demonstrate conclusively that the GR is an important mediator of skeletal muscle atrophy and associated gene expression in response to exogenous synthetic GCs in vivo and that the MGRe3KO mouse is a useful model for studying the role of the GR and its target genes in multiple skeletal muscle atrophy models.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Geng ◽  
Qinglong Song ◽  
Yunyun Cheng ◽  
Haoyang Li ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
...  

Dexamethasone (Dex) has been widely used as a potent anti-inflammatory, antishock, and immunosuppressive agent. However, high dose or long-term use of Dex is accompanied by side effects including skeletal muscle atrophy, whose underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. A number of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play key roles in skeletal muscle atrophy. Previous studies showed significantly increased miR-322 expression in Dex-treated C2C12 myotubes. In our study, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was required for Dex to increase miR-322 expression in C2C12 myotubes. miR-322 mimic or miR-322 inhibitor was used for regulating the expression of miR-322. Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and insulin receptor (INSR) were identified as target genes of miR-322 using luciferase reporter assays and played key roles in Dex-induced muscle atrophy. miR-322 overexpression promoted atrophy in Dex-treated C2C12 myotubes and the gastrocnemius muscles of mice. Conversely, miR-322 inhibition showed the opposite effects. These data suggested that miR-322 contributes to Dex-induced muscle atrophy via targeting of IGF1R and INSR. Furthermore, miR-322 might be a potential target to counter Dex-induced muscle atrophy. miR-322 inhibition might also represent a therapeutic approach for Dex-induced muscle atrophy.


Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Ming-Qing He ◽  
Xi-Yu Shen ◽  
Kang-Zhen Zhang ◽  
Can Zhao ◽  
...  

Skeletal muscle atrophy is one of the major side effects of high dose or sustained usage of glucocorticoids. Pyroptosis is a novel form of pro-inflammatory programmed cell death that may contribute to skeletal muscle injury. Trimetazidine, a well-known anti-anginal agent, can also improve skeletal muscle performance both in human and mice. We here showed that dexamethasone induced atrophy, evidenced by the increase of muscle atrophy F-box (Atrogin-1) and muscle ring finger 1 (MuRF1) expression , and the decrease of myotube diameter in C2C12 myotubes. Dexamethasone also induced pyroptosis, indicated by upregulated pyroptosis-related protein NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD. Knockdown of NLRP3 or GSDMD attenuated dexamethasone-induced myotube pyroptosis and atrophy. Trimetazidine administration ameliorated dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, trimetazidine improved exercise tolerance, as evidenced by increased running distance and running time, as well as increased skeletal muscle mass in dexamethasone-treated mice. Mechanically, trimetazidine could reverse dexamethasone-induced activation of pyroptosis both in C2C12 myotubes and in mice. Taken together, our present study demonstrated that NLRP3/GSDMD pathway-mediated pyroptosis was involved in dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Trimetazidine could partially alleviate dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy, and increase the diameter of C2C12 myotubes via inhibiting pyroptosis. Thus, trimetazidine might be a potential therapeutic compound for the prevention of muscle atrophy in glucocorticoid-treated patients.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Young In Kim ◽  
Hyunjung Lee ◽  
Farida S. Nirmala ◽  
Hyo-Deok Seo ◽  
Tae Youl Ha ◽  
...  

Skeletal muscle atrophy is defined as wasting or loss of muscle. Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are well-known anti-inflammatory drugs, their long-term or high-dose use induces skeletal muscle atrophy. Valeriana fauriei (VF) is used to treat restlessness, anxiety, and sleep disorders; however, its effects on skeletal muscle health have not been investigated. This study investigated whether Valeriana fauriei could ameliorate muscle atrophy. We induced muscle atrophy in vitro and in vivo, by treatment with dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic GC. In DEX-induced myotube atrophy, Valeriana fauriei treatment increased the fusion index and decreased the expression of muscle atrophic genes such as muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx/Atrogin-1) and muscle RING-finger protein 1 (MuRF1). In DEX-treated mice with muscle atrophy, Valeriana fauriei supplementation increased the ability to exercise, muscle weight, and cross-sectional area, whereas it inhibited myosin heavy chain isoform transition and the expression of muscle atrophy biomarkers. Valeriana fauriei treatment led to via the downregulation of muscle atrophic genes via inhibition of GC receptor translocation. Valeriana fauriei was also found to act as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger. Didrovaltrate (DI), an iridoid compound from Valeriana fauriei, was found to downregulate atrophic genes and decrease ROS in the DEX-induced myotube atrophy. Consolidated, our results indicate that Valeriana fauriei prevents DEX-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting GC receptor translocation. Further, Valeriana fauriei acts as a ROS scavenger, and its functional compound is didrovaltrate. We suggest that Valeriana fauriei and its functional compound didrovaltrate possess therapeutic potentials against muscle atrophy.


2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Borhan Alzghoul ◽  
Dave Gerrard ◽  
Bruce A. Watkins ◽  
Kevin Hannon

Author(s):  
Kathryn W. Aguilar-Agon ◽  
Andrew J. Capel ◽  
Jacob W. Fleming ◽  
Darren J. Player ◽  
Neil R. W. Martin ◽  
...  

Abstract Skeletal muscle atrophy as a consequence of acute and chronic illness, immobilisation, muscular dystrophies and aging, leads to severe muscle weakness, inactivity and increased mortality. Mechanical loading is thought to be the primary driver for skeletal muscle hypertrophy, however the extent to which mechanical loading can offset muscle catabolism has not been thoroughly explored. In vitro 3D-models of skeletal muscle provide a controllable, high throughput environment and mitigating many of the ethical and methodological constraints present during in vivo experimentation. This work aimed to determine if mechanical loading would offset dexamethasone (DEX) induced skeletal muscle atrophy, in muscle engineered using the C2C12 murine cell line. Mechanical loading successfully offset myotube atrophy and functional degeneration associated with DEX regardless of whether the loading occurred before or after 24 h of DEX treatment. Furthermore, mechanical load prevented increases in MuRF-1 and MAFbx mRNA expression, critical regulators of muscle atrophy. Overall, we demonstrate the application of tissue engineered muscle to study skeletal muscle health and disease, offering great potential for future use to better understand treatment modalities for skeletal muscle atrophy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonietta Mele ◽  
Adriano Fonzino ◽  
Francesco Rana ◽  
Giulia Maria Camerino ◽  
Michela De Bellis ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Xin-Feng Jiao ◽  
Cheng Wu ◽  
Xiao-Qing Li ◽  
Hui-Xian Sun ◽  
...  

AbstractSkeletal muscle atrophy is one of the major side effects of high dose or sustained usage of glucocorticoids. Pyroptosis is a novel form of pro-inflammatory programmed cell death that may contribute to skeletal muscle injury. Trimetazidine, a well-known anti-anginal agent, can improve skeletal muscle performance both in humans and mice. We here showed that dexamethasone-induced atrophy, as evidenced by the increase of muscle atrophy F-box (Atrogin-1) and muscle ring finger 1 (MuRF1) expression, and the decrease of myotube diameter in C2C12 myotubes. Dexamethasone also induced pyroptosis, indicated by upregulated pyroptosis-related protein NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, and gasdermin-D (GSDMD). Knockdown of NLRP3 or GSDMD attenuated dexamethasone-induced myotube pyroptosis and atrophy. Trimetazidine treatment ameliorated dexamethasone-induced muscle pyroptosis and atrophy both in vivo and in vitro. Activation of NLRP3 using LPS and ATP not only increased the cleavage and activation of Caspase-1 and GSDMD, but also increased the expression levels of atrophy markers MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 in trimetazidine-treated C2C12 myotubes. Mechanically, dexamethasone inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/FoxO3a, which could be attenuated by trimetazidine. Conversely, co-treatment with a PI3K/AKT inhibitor, picropodophyllin, remarkably increased the expression of NLRP3 and reversed the protective effects of trimetazidine against dexamethasone-induced C2C12 myotube pyroptosis and atrophy. Taken together, our study suggests that NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis might be a novel mechanism for dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Trimetazidine might be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (4) ◽  
pp. C700-C719 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Hughes ◽  
Leslie M. Baehr ◽  
Julia R. Driscoll ◽  
Sarah A. Lynch ◽  
David S. Waddell ◽  
...  

Muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligases have been identified in muscle atrophy-inducing conditions. The purpose of the current study was to explore the functional role of F-box and leucine-rich protein 22 (Fbxl22), and a newly identified splice variant (Fbxl22–193), in skeletal muscle homeostasis and neurogenic muscle atrophy. In mouse C2C12 muscle cells, promoter fragments of the Fbxl22 gene were cloned and fused with the secreted alkaline phosphatase reporter gene to assess the transcriptional regulation of Fbxl22. The tibialis anterior muscles of male C57/BL6 mice (12–16 wk old) were electroporated with expression plasmids containing the cDNA of two Fbxl22 splice variants and tissues collected after 7, 14, and 28 days. Gastrocnemius muscles of wild-type and muscle-specific RING finger 1 knockout (MuRF1 KO) mice were electroporated with an Fbxl22 RNAi or empty plasmid and denervated 3 days posttransfection, and tissues were collected 7 days postdenervation. The full-length gene and novel splice variant are transcriptionally induced early (after 3 days) during neurogenic muscle atrophy. In vivo overexpression of Fbxl22 isoforms in mouse skeletal muscle leads to evidence of myopathy/atrophy, suggesting that both are involved in the process of neurogenic muscle atrophy. Knockdown of Fbxl22 in the muscles of MuRF1 KO mice resulted in significant additive muscle sparing 7 days after denervation. Targeting two E3 ubiquitin ligases appears to have a strong additive effect on protecting muscle mass loss with denervation, and these findings have important implications in the development of therapeutic strategies to treat muscle atrophy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (4) ◽  
pp. E785-E797 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Waddell ◽  
Leslie M. Baehr ◽  
Jens van den Brandt ◽  
Steven A. Johnsen ◽  
Holger M. Reichardt ◽  
...  

The muscle specific ubiquitin E3 ligase MuRF1 has been implicated as a key regulator of muscle atrophy under a variety of conditions, such as during synthetic glucocorticoid treatment. FOXO class transcription factors have been proposed as important regulators of MuRF1 expression, but its regulation by glucocorticoids is not well understood. The MuRF1 promoter contains a near-perfect palindromic glucocorticoid response element (GRE) 200 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site. The GRE is highly conserved in the mouse, rat, and human genes along with a directly adjacent FOXO binding element (FBE). Transient transfection assays in HepG2 cells and C2C12 myotubes demonstrate that the MuRF1 promoter is responsive to both the dexamethasone (DEX)-activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and FOXO1, whereas coexpression of GR and FOXO1 leads to a dramatic synergistic increase in reporter gene activity. Mutation of either the GRE or the FBE significantly impairs activation of the MuRF1 promoter. Consistent with these findings, DEX-induced upregulation of MuRF1 is significantly attenuated in mice expressing a homodimerization-deficient GR despite no effect on the degree of muscle loss in these mice vs. their wild-type counterparts. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis reveals that both GR and FOXO1 bind to the endogenous MuRF1 promoter in C2C12 myotubes, and IGF-I inhibition of DEX-induced MuRF1 expression correlates with the loss of FOXO1 binding. These findings present new insights into the role of the GR and FOXO family of transcription factors in the transcriptional regulation of the MuRF1 gene, a direct target of the GR in skeletal muscle.


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