Biology subjects

De Bock, K.

Publications and source records attributed to De Bock, K..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Stimulatrix: An open-source automated platform for high-throughput functional characterization of engineered contractile tissues

Engineered cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues suspended between flexible posts support disease modeling and pharmacology, yet their stimulation, longitudinal imaging and quantitative analysis often remain fragmented and labor-intensive. Here we present Stimulatrix, an open-source platform integrating automated video acquisition within a cell culture incubator, synchronized electrical stimulation and deep learning for longitudinal assessment of contractile tissues in multiwell plates. The platform quantifies tissue compaction, force generation and contraction kinetics with optional cloud processing reducing dependence on local GPU hardware. We demonstrate the workflow in cardiac tissues comprising human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts, and in primary human skeletal muscle constructs. Force and kinetic measurements were benchmarked against manual annotations. Longitudinal profiling resolved responses to matrix composition and pacing regimens and tracked doxorubicin-associated loss of cardiac contractile force. Stimulatrix provides an accessible workflow for automated functional phenotyping of engineered muscle tissues.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

Disrupted astrocyte-endothelial crosstalk drives hemangioblastoma lesions in VHL disease

Hemangioblastomas (HBs) are highly vascularized central nervous system (CNS) tumours that can become life-threatening, especially in the context of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, caused by the loss of VHL function. The limited pharmacological options targeting VHL-HBs stem from an incomplete understanding of their cellular origin, development, and molecular pathogenesis. Here we use advanced mouse genetics to show that mosaic deletion of Vhl in Apln+ cells leads to the formation of precursor tumour-like lesions, composed by clusters of Vhl-knockout (VhlKO) astrocytes and surrounding Vhl-wild-type (VhlWT) vessels that become malformed, resembling early-stage HBs linked to VHL disease. VhlKO astrocytes morphologically and transcriptomically resembled the reactive astrocytes characteristic of ischemic CNS injury. They exhibited metabolic rewirement towards glycolysis and upregulation of cell growth pathways. They also expressed several secreted proangiogenic molecules that activate and prevent the normal maturation of neighbouring vessels, leading to VHL-HBs. Temporal conditional genetic analysis revealed that Vhl loss need to happen during postnatal development for HBs to form, and that lesions become quiescent in early adulthood. HIF-2 deletion, or MTORC1 inhibition with rapamycin, efficiently inhibited VHL-HBs growth and the associated vascular malformations. Our work shows that the loss of Vhl in single astrocytes induces their growth and pathogenic crosstalk with neighbouring endothelial cells, driving hemangioblastoma development in VHL disease. Our new somatic mosaic mouse models will also enable testing of novel drugs against this disease.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Context-dependent response of endothelial cells to PIK3CA mutation

Cancer mutations in the PIK3CA gene cause congenital disorders. The endothelium is among the most frequently affected tissues in these disorders, displaying aberrant vascular overgrowth in the form of malformations. Pathological PIK3CA vascular phenotypes are found in veins and capillaries but rarely in arteries for reasons that are unclear at present. Here, using lineage tracing, we show that expression of mutated PIK3CAH1047R in endothelial cells leads to marked clonal expansions in capillary and venous endothelial cells. In contrast, mature arterial endothelial cells are refractory to PIK3CA mutation under these conditions and never display pathological phenotypes. Moreover, PIK3CAH1047Rexpression in arterial precursors interrupts arterial differentiation, thereby driving fate switch towards venous identity. This fate rewiring offers an additional layer of protection to prevent arterial damage in response to PIK3CA genetic perturbation. Molecularly, the PIK3CAH1047R-driven arterial-to-venous fate switch is orchestrated by upregulation of the vein-specifying transcription factor Nr2f2/COUP-TFII. Our findings reveal that pathogenic responses to PIK3CAH1047Rgreatly depend on the diferentation stage and fate trajectory of the targeted cell. Arteries are thus shielded against PIK3CA mutation, solving the long-standing question on the rarity of PIK3CA-related arterial malformations observed in patients.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2025

HIF1α gates tendon response to overload and drives tendinopathy independently of vascular recruitment

Tendons are mostly avascular dense connective tissues that link muscles to bones, withstanding some of the highest mechanical stresses in the body. Mechanical overload and tissue hypervascularity are implicated in tendinopathy, a common musculoskeletal disorder, but mechanistic understanding of their roles is largely lacking. Here, we identify HIF1 not only as a marker but as a driver of tendinopathy. Initial histological and multi-omics evaluation of human tendinopathic samples revealed extensive extracellular matrix remodeling, including pathological collagen crosslinking coinciding with active hypoxic signaling. Hypothesizing a causal contribution of hypoxia signaling, we generated mice with tenocyte-targeted deletions of the Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene, which controls hypoxia signaling by regulating HIF degradation. We demonstrated that VHL inactivation suffices to induce pathological hallmarks of tendinopathy, such as collagen matrix disorganization, crosslinking, altered mechanics and neuro-vascular ingrowth. This phenotype was HIF1-dependent, since co-deleting HIF1 rescued tendon morphology and mechanics. Moreover, deleting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) alongside VHL effectively decoupled the effects of vascular ingrowth from persistently aberrant extracellular matrix remodeling and mechanical dysfunction, emphasizing a direct role of HIF1 in driving tendon disease that is independent of angiogenesis. Mechanistically, we linked tendon mechanical overload to the onset of HIF1 signaling in primary cultured human tendon cells. Furthermore, genetically removing HIF1 from tenocytes prevented aberrant tendon remodeling in response to chronic overload. These findings position HIF1 signaling as a central driver of tendinopathy that acts through a maladaptive tissue response to chronic overload, providing mechanistic insights that could be leveraged for improved therapeutic approaches. One Sentence SummaryHIF1 activation promotes tendinopathy and its inhibition prevents overload-induced maladaptation, suggesting therapeutic potential.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Piezo2 in sensory neurons influences systemic and adipose tissue metabolism

Systemic metabolism ensures energy homeostasis through inter-organ crosstalk regulating thermogenic adipose tissue. Unlike the well-described inductive role of the sympathetic system, the inhibitory signal ensuring energy preservation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that, via the mechanosensor Piezo2, sensory neurons regulate morphological and physiological properties of brown and beige fat and prevent systemic hypermetabolism. Targeting Runx3/PV sensory neurons in independent genetic mouse models resulted in a systemic metabolic phenotype characterized by reduced body fat and increased insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Deletion of Piezo2 in PV sensory neurons reproduced the phenotype, protected against high-fat diet-induced obesity and caused adipose tissue browning and beiging, likely driven by elevated norepinephrine levels. Finding that brown and beige fat are innervated by Runx3/PV sensory neurons expressing Piezo2, suggests a model where mechanical signals sensed by Piezo2 in sensory neurons protect energy storages and prevent a systemic metabolic phenotype. HighlightsLack of Runx3/PV sensory neurons reduces body fat and fasting glucose levels and increases glucose tolerance in mice Mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO2 in PV sensory neurons plays an important role in systemic metabolism under physiological and pathological conditions PIEZO2 in PV sensory neurons regulates thermogenic programs and glucose uptake in brown and beige adipose tissues Brown and beige adipose tissues are innervated by Runx3/PV sensory neurons

physiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Onco-fetal protein Nogo-A restricts human and mouse glioma vascularization and growth via VEGF-Notch-hippo-metabolic signaling

Glioblastoma is one of the most deadly human cancers characterized by high degrees of vascularization, but targeting its vasculature has resulted in very limited success so far. Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is highly dynamic during brain development, enters a mostly quiescent state in the adult homeostatic brain, and is reactivated in vascular-dependent CNS diseases including brain tumors. In consequence, a better understanding of the relevance of the onco-fetal axis - describing the reactivation of fetal signaling programs in tumors - in endothelial- and perivascular cells of the human brain tumor vasculature harbors great translational potential, yet remains poorly defined. In development, neurovascular link (NVL) molecules guide both neuronal growth cones as well as capillary endothelial tip cells. Nogo-A is an NVL molecule known to inhibit axonal growth in the developing and adult CNS and to restrict angiogenesis during brain development, but its role in the mouse and human brain tumor vasculature along the onco-fetal axis remains unknown. Here, we characterize Nogo-A as an onco-fetal protein expressed in the neurovascular unit (NVU) in human fetal brains and human gliomas in vivo that negatively regulates sprouting angiogenesis and endothelial tip cells in glioma vascularization. The Nogo-A-specific Delta 20 domain restricts angiogenic sprouting and branching and promotes vascular normalization while inhibiting glioma growth in experimental gliomas. Moreover, Nogo-A expression in tumor cells negatively correlate/s with glioma malignancy in vivo. In vitro, Nogo-A Delta 20 reduced human brain- and brain tumor endothelial cell (HBMVEC, HBTMVEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) spreading, migration, and sprouting, in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited filopodia extension glucose metabolism. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing of Nogo-A Delta 20-treated HBMVECs and HBTMVECs revealed Nogo-A Delta 20-induced positive regulation of the angiogenesis-inhibiting Dll4-Notch-pathway and inhibition of the angiogenesis-promoting VEGF-VEGFR and Hippo-YAP-TAZ pathways, whereas metabolomics and functional metabolic assays revealed Nogo-A Delta 20-induced negative regulation of endothelial glycolysis in HBMVECs and HBTMVECs. These findings characterize Nogo-A as an onco-fetal protein in the human glial brain tumor vasculature and identify Nogo-A Delta 20 signaling as an important negative regulator of human glioma vascularization and growth. Enhancing Nogo-A signaling may be an attractive alternative or combinatorial anti-angiogenic therapy to restrict human glioma/glioblastoma vascularization and growth.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Sulfur Amino Acid Restriction Enhances Exercise Capacity in Mice by Boosting Fat Oxidation

Dietary restriction of the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine (SAAR) improves body composition, enhances insulin sensitivity, and extends lifespan; benefits seen also with endurance exercise. Yet, the impact of SAAR on skeletal muscle remains largely unexplored. Here we demonstrate that one week of SAAR in sedentary, young, male mice increases endurance exercise capacity. Indirect calorimetry showed that SAAR increased lipid oxidation at rest and delayed the onset of carbohydrate utilization during exercise. Transcriptomic analysis revealed increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid catabolism especially in glycolytic muscle following SAAR. These findings were functionally supported by increased fatty acid circulatory turnover flux and muscle {beta}-oxidation. Reducing lipid uptake from circulation through endothelial cell (EC)-specific CD36 deletion attenuated the running phenotype. Mechanistically, VEGF-signaling inhibition prevented exercise increases following SAAR, without affecting angiogenesis, implicating noncanonical VEGF signaling and EC CD36-dependent fatty acid transport in regulating exercise capacity by influencing muscle substrate availability.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Impaired glycolysis in aged endothelial cells is associated with reduced neovascularisation upon tissue ischemia

The vascular system experiences an age-associated decline in tissue perfusion and response to ischemic diseases. The factors driving this age-associated neovascularization decline remain unclear. While old endothelial cells (ECs) adopt a pro-angiogenic gene expression profile, we observed a stark reduction in the proliferative capacity of old ECs, while migratory capabilities remain intact. This is paralleled by a drastic decline in glycolytic capacity and ATP production, which likely act as limiting factors to neovascularization. These findings may provide new strategies to restore EC function in aging, thereby improving organ resilience and extending health- and lifespan.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

GLUD1 dictates muscle stem cell differentiation by controlling mitochondrial glutamate levels

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) enable muscle growth and regeneration after exercise or injury. Upon activation MuSCs metabolically rewire to meet the changing demands of proliferation. Here we describe that primary changes in metabolism itself can dictate MuSC fate decisions to control differentiation and fusion. We found that glutamine anaplerosis into the TCA cycle decreases during MuSC differentiation and coincides with decreased expression of the mitochondrial glutamate deaminase GLUD1. Genetic deletion of Glud1 in proliferating MuSCs resulted in precocious differentiation and imbalanced fusion combined with loss of self-renewal in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, deleting Glud1 caused mitochondrial glutamate accumulation in proliferating MuSCs and inhibited the malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS). Restoring MAS activity by supplementation of alanine normalized differentiation. In conclusion, high GLUD1 activity in proliferating MuSCs prevents deleterious mitochondrial glutamate accumulation and inactivation of the MAS. It thereby acts as a compartment specific metabolic brake on MuSC differentiation. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=194 SRC="FIGDIR/small/560525v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (49K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@e3585dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1be4a54org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f077org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15220f1_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIGlutamine is the major TCA cycle substrate in MuSCs with decreasing contribution upon differentiation. C_LIO_LILoss of Glud1 impairs MuSC self-renewal capacity and causes imbalanced fusion in vitro and in vivo. C_LIO_LIGlud1 deletion leads to mitochondrial glutamate trapping and malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS) dysfunction. C_LIO_LIRestoration of MAS activity in Glud1 deficient MuSCs reverses precocious differentiation and imbalanced fusion. C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Single cell compendium of the muscle microenvironment in peripheral artery disease reveals capillary endothelial heterogeneity and activation of resident macrophages

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWPeripheral artery disease (PAD) results from atherosclerosis and chronic narrowing of lower limb arteries leading to decreased muscle perfusion. Current treatments are suboptimal, partly due to limited understanding of PAD muscle pathology. Here we use scRNAseq and spatial transcriptomics to analyze the composition of the muscle microenvironment in non-ischemic and PAD patients. We identified ATF3/4+ endothelial cells (ECs) that exhibit altered angiogenic and immune regulatory profiles during PAD and confirmed that ATF4 signaling in ECs is required for effective ischemia recovery. Also, capillary ECs display features of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, LYVE1hiMHCIIlow macrophages are the dominant macrophage population in human muscle, adopting a more pro-inflammatory profile during PAD. Finally, we analyzed alterations in intercellular communication within the muscle microenvironment during PAD and confirmed that EC-derived factors can influence macrophage polarization. This dataset deeply characterizes the PAD muscle microenvironment and provides a resource for exploration of targeted therapies.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

IL-6 SIGNALING EXACERBATES HALLMARKS OF CHRONIC TENDON DISEASE BY STIMULATING PROGENITOR PROLIFERATION & MIGRATION TO DAMAGE.

Tendinopathies are debilitating diseases currently increasing in prevalence and associated costs. There is a need to deepen our understanding of the underlying cell signaling pathways to unlock effective treatments. In this work, we screen cell signaling pathways in human tendinopathies and find positively enriched IL-6/JAK/STAT signaling alongside signatures of cell populations typically activated by IL-6 in other tissues. In human tendinopathic tendons, we also confirm the strong presence and co-localization of IL-6, IL6R, and CD90, an established marker of reparative fibroblasts. To dissect the underlying causalities, we combine IL-6 knock-out mice with an explant-based assembloid model of tendon damage to successfully connect IL-6 signaling to reparative fibroblast activation and recruitment. Vice versa, we show that these reparative fibroblasts promote the development of tendinopathy hallmarks in the damaged explant upon IL-6 activation. We conclude that IL-6 activates tendon fibroblast populations which then initiate and deteriorate tendinopathy hallmarks.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2022

The vascular gene Apold1 is dispensable for normal development but controls angiogenesis under pathological conditions

The molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis have been intensely studied, but many genes that control endothelial behavior and fate still need to be described. Here, we characterize the role of Apold1 (Apolipoprotein L domain containing 1) in angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Single-cell analyses reveal that - across tissues - the expression of Apold1 is restricted to the vasculature, and that Apold1 expression in endothelial cells (ECs) is highly sensitive to environmental factors. Using Apold1-/- mice, we find that Apold1 is dispensable for development and does not affect postnatal retinal angiogenesis nor alters the vascular network in adult brain and muscle. However, when exposed to ischemic conditions following photothrombotic stroke as well as femoral artery ligation, Apold1-/- mice display dramatic impairments in recovery and revascularization. We also find that human tumor endothelial cells express strikingly higher levels of Apold1, and that Apold1 deletion in mice stunts the growth of subcutaneous B16 melanoma tumors, which have smaller and poorly perfused vessels. Mechanistically, Apold1 is activated in ECs upon growth factor stimulation as well as in hypoxia, and Apold1 intrinsically controls EC proliferation but not migration. Our data demonstrate that Apold1 is a key regulator of angiogenesis in pathological settings, whereas it does not affect developmental angiogenesis, thus making it a promising candidate for clinical investigation.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

MME+ fibro-adipogenic progenitors are the dominant adipogenic population during fatty infiltration in human skeletal muscle

Summary/Abstract Fatty infiltration, the ectopic deposition of adipose tissue within skeletal muscle, is mediated via the adipogenic differentiation of fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs). We used single-nuclei and single- cell RNA sequencing to characterize FAP heterogeneity in patients with fatty infiltration. We identified an MME+ FAP subpopulation which, based on ex vivo characterization as well as transplantation experiments, exhibits high adipogenic potential. MME+ FAPs are characterized by low activity of WNT, known to control adipogenic commitment, and are refractory to the inhibitory role of WNT activators. Using preclinical models for muscle damage versus fatty infiltration, we show that many MME+ FAPs undergo apoptosis during muscle regeneration and differentiate into adipocytes under pathological conditions, leading to their depletion. Finally, we utilized the varying fat infiltration levels in human hip muscles to show the depletion of MME+ FAPs in fatty infiltrated human muscle. Altogether, we have identified the dominant adipogenic FAP subpopulation in skeletal muscle.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Molecular atlas of the human brain vasculature at the single-cell level

A broad range of brain pathologies critically relies on the vasculature, and cerebrovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. However, the cellular and molecular architecture of the human brain vasculature remains poorly understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of 599,215 freshly isolated endothelial, perivascular and other tissue-derived cells from 47 fetuses and adult patients to construct a molecular atlas of the developing fetal, adult control and diseased human brain vasculature. We uncover extensive molecular heterogeneity of healthy fetal and adult human brains and across eight vascular-dependent CNS pathologies including brain tumors and brain vascular malformations. We identify alteration of arteriovenous differentiation and reactivated fetal as well as conserved dysregulated pathways in the diseased vasculature. Pathological endothelial cells display a loss of CNS-specific properties and reveal an upregulation of MHC class II molecules, indicating atypical features of CNS endothelial cells. Cell-cell interaction analyses predict numerous endothelial-to-perivascular cell ligand-receptor crosstalk including immune-related and angiogenic pathways, thereby unraveling a central role for the endothelium within brain neurovascular unit signaling networks. Our single-cell brain atlas provides insight into the molecular architecture and heterogeneity of the developing, adult/control and diseased human brain vasculature and serves as a powerful reference for future studies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Creatine transporter deficient rat show motor dysfunction linked with cerebellar alterations and muscle creatine deficiency without muscle atrophy

Creatine (Cr) is a nitrogenous organic acid and plays roles as fast phosphate energy buffer to replenish ATP, osmolyte, antioxidant, neuromodulator, and as a compound with anabolic and ergogenic properties in muscle. Cr is taken from the diet or endogenously synthetized by the enzymes AGAT and GAMT, and specifically taken up by the transporter SLC6A8. Loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding for the enzymes or the transporter cause Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes (CCDS). CCDS are characterized by brain Cr deficiency, intellectual disability with severe speech delay, behavioral troubles, epilepsy and motor dysfunction. Among CCDS, the X-linked Cr transporter deficiency (CTD) is the most prevalent with no efficient treatment so far. Different animal models of CTD show reduced brain Cr levels, cognitive deficiencies and together they cover other traits similar to those of patients. However, motor function was poorly explored in CTD models and some controversies in the phenotype exist in comparison with CTD patients. Our recently described Slc6a8Y389C knock-in (KI) rat model of CTD showed mild impaired motor function, morphological alterations in cerebellum, reduced muscular mass, Cr deficiency and increased guanidinoacetate content in muscle, although no consistent signs of muscle atrophy. Our results indicate that such motor dysfunction co-occurred with both nervous and muscle dysfunction, suggesting that muscle strength and performance as well as neuronal connectivity might be affected by this Cr deficiency in muscle and brain.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2020

Nucleolin is expressed in human fetal brain development and reactivated in human glial brain tumors regulating angiogenesis and vascular metabolism

Glioblastoma (GBM) is amongst the deadliest human cancers and is characterized by high levels of vascularisation. Angiogenesis is highly dynamic during brain development and almost quiescent in the adult brain, but is reactivated in vascular-dependent CNS pathologies such as brain tumors. Nucleolin (NCL) is a known regulator of cell proliferation and angiogenesis, but its roles on physiological and pathological brain vasculature remain unknown. Here, we studied the expression of Nucleolin in the neurovascular unit (NVU) in human fetal brains and human gliomas in vivo as well as its effects on sprouting angiogenesis and endothelial metabolism in vitro. Nucleolin is highly expressed in endothelial- and perivascular cells during brain development, downregulated in the adult brain, and upregulated in glioma. Moreover, Nucleolin expression in tumor- and blood vessel cells correlated with glioma malignancy in vivo. In culture, siRNA-mediated NCL knockdown reduced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) sprouting angiogenesis, proliferation and filopodia extension, and reduced glucose metabolism. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing of Nucleolin knockdown in HUVECs revealed a putative p53-TIGAR-HK2 regulation of endothelial glycolysis. These findings identify Nucleolin as a neurodevelopmental factor reactivated in glioma that positively regulates sprouting angiogenesis and endothelial metabolism. Our findings have important implications in therapeutic targeting of glioma.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Recurrent training rejuvenates and enhances transcriptome and methylome responses in young and older human muscle

BackgroundThe interaction between the muscle methylome and transcriptome is understudied during ageing and periods of resistance training in young, but especially older adults. In addition, more information is needed on the role of retained methylome training adaptations in muscle memory to understand muscle phenotypical and molecular restoration after inactivity or disuse. MethodsWe measured CpG methylation (microarray) and RNA expression (RNA sequencing) in young (n = 5; age = 22 {+/-} 2 yrs) and older (n = 6; age = 65 {+/-} 5 yrs) vastus lateralis muscle samples, taken at baseline, after 12 weeks of resistance training, after training interruption (2 weeks of leg immobilization in young men, 12 weeks of detraining in older men) and after 12 weeks of retraining to identify muscle memory-related adaptations and rejuvenating effects of training. ResultsWe report that of the 427 differentially expressed genes with advanced age, 71 % contained differentially methylated (dm)CpGs in older versus young muscle. The more dmCpGs within a gene, the clearer the inverse methylation-expression relationship. Around 73 % of the age-related dmCpGs approached younger methylation levels when older muscle was trained for 12 weeks. A second resistance training period after training cessation increased the number of hypomethylated CpGs and upregulated genes in both young and older muscle. We found indication for an epi-memory within pro-proliferating AMOTL1 in young muscle and mechanosensing-related VCL in older muscle. For the first time, we integrate muscle methylome and transcriptome data in relation to both ageing and training/inactivity-induced responses and identify focal adhesion as an important pathway herein. ConclusionPreviously trained muscle is more responsive to training than untrained muscle at methylome and transcriptome level and recurrent resistance training can partially restore ageing-induced methylome alterations.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Exercise promotes satellite cell contribution to myofibers in a load-dependent manner

Satellite cells (SCs) are required for muscle repair following injury and are involved in muscle remodeling upon muscular contractions. Exercise stimulates SC accumulation and myonuclear accretion. To what extent exercise training at different mechanical loads drive SC contribution to myonuclei however is unknown. By performing SC fate tracing experiments, we show that 8-weeks of voluntary wheel running increased SC contribution to myonuclei in mouse plantar flexor muscles in a load-dependent but fiber type-independent manner. Increased SC fusion however was not exclusively linked to muscle hypertrophy as wheel running without external load substantially increased SC fusion in the absence of fiber hypertrophy. Due to nuclear propagation, nuclear fluorescent fate tracing mouse models were inadequate to quantify SC contribution to myonuclei. Ultimately, by performing fate tracing at the DNA level, we show that SC contribution mirrors myonuclear accretion during exercise. Collectively, these findings provide direct evidence that mechanical load during exercise independently promotes SC contribution to existing myofibers.

cell biology↗