Effects of recombinant retroviral vector mediated human insulin like growth factor-1 gene transfection on skeletal muscle growth in rat

Background This study transferred a recombinant gene encoding human insulin like growth factor-1 （hIGF-1） into modified primary skeletal myoblasts with a retroviral vector （pLgXSN） and determined whether the hIGF-1 promoted growth of skeletal muscle in rat.Methods hlGF-lcDNA was amplified in vitro from normal human liver cells by using RT-PCR and cloned into plasmid vector pLgXSN. The recombinant vector pLghIGF-1SN and control vector pLgGFPSN were transfected into packaging cell PT67 and G418 was used to select positive colony. Myoblasts were infected with a high titre viral supernatant and transduction efficiency was evaluated as GFP expression. The expression of hIGF-1 mRNA in myoblasts was investigated by immunocytochernistry and RT-PCR. MTT assays detected the growth of myoblasts in vitro. Myoblasts transduced with pLghlGF-1SN were injected into hind limb muscles of 10-12 week male SD rats. Formed tissues were harvested 4 weeks later. Myocyte diameter, mean weight of hind limb and body were measured to evaluate the skeletal muscle growth. Results Recombinant retroviral plasmid vector pLghlGF-1SN was constructed successfully. The titre of the packaged recombinant retrovirus was 1 × 106 cfu/ml. The transfection rate of PT67 cells reached 100% after G418 screening, hIGF-1 expression was positive in myoblast-IGF-1. The proliferation rate of myoblast-IGF-1 in vitro was higher than GFP-myoblast or myoblast （P〈 0.05）. The mean weights of hind limb and body of rats injected myoblast-IGF-1 were higher than those of the rats injected with myoblast-GFP or myoblast （P〈 0.05）. Myocyte diameter had a significant increase in IGF-1 group compared to GFP group and myobiast group （P〈 0.05）. Conclusions The transfection of the human IGF- 1 gene mediated by a retroviral vector can promote the growth of skeletal muscle in rats. Genetically modified primary skeletal myoblasts provide a possibly effective approach to treat some skeletal muscle diseases.

Flaxseed Lignans Promoted the Growth of Skeletal Muscle in Male Rats and Its Possible Mechanism

This study was aimed to determine whether flaxseed lignans could affect the growth of skeletal muscle in male animals and its possible mechanisms. The impact of flaxseed lignans on the skeletal muscle in male rats was determined in vivo. Flaxseed lignans （50 ppm） and daidzein （5 ppm） were added into the basal diets, respectively. The concentrations of serum lignans and daidzein were measured by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）, and the serum growth hormone and testosterone （T） levels were analyzed by radioimmunoassay （RIA）, and the expression of estrogen receptor β （ER β） in the soleus muscle and hypothalamus were determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Flaxseed lignans and daidzein could significantly improve the feed efficiency and facilitate the weight gain of the femoral muscle in male rats. The ratio of RNA to DNA in the muscles and serum T levels was remarkably increased, whereas, the urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly decreased by flaxseed lignan and/or its metabolites and daidzein. Meanwhile, the expression of ER β in soleus muscle and hypothalamus were both upgraded by the two phytoestrogens. Flaxseed lignan promoted the growth of male rats, and it might be by regulating serum T levels by binding to ER β in the hypothalamus. In turn, it depressed the catabolism of protein and promoted the hypertrophy of skeletal muscle ceils.

IGF-1, bFGF EXPRESSION AND VASCULAR REGENERATION IN ACUTE INFARCTED CANINE MYOCARDIUM AFTER AUTOLOGUS SKELETAL MUSCLE SATELLITE CELL IMPLANTATION

Objective To study the cell growth factor secretion and vascular regeneration in acute in-farcted myocardium after autologous skeletal muscle satellite cell implantation. Methods Autologous skeletal muscle satellite cells from adult mongrel canine were implanted into the acute myocardial infarct site via the ligated left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Specimens were harvested at 2, 4 , 8 weeks after implantation for the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), basic fibroblast growth factor ( bFGF) and the vascular density. Results The expression of IGF-1, bFGF and the vascular density in skeletal muscle satellite cell implant group were higher than that in the control group. Conclusion The skeletal muscle satellite cells, after being implanted into the acute myocardial infarction, not only showed myocardial regeneration, but also showed the ability to secrete the cell factors, hence representing a positive effect on the regeneration of the infarcted myocardium.

ACIDIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR REDUCES RAT SKELETAL MUSCLE DAMAGE CAUSED BY ISCHEMIA AND REPERFUSION

Acute interruption of arterial blood flow to the extremities is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Broad spectrum mitogenic and non mitogenic activities of FGFs inspired us to study its protecting effects on tissue injuries in ischemia reperfusion condition. We found that systemic administration of aFGF after reperfusion onset prevented severe skeletal muscle injuries. In rats treated with aKGF, the tissue edema was reduced significantly, the tissue viability was increased, and the muscle fibers contained more succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and adenosine triphosphatasc (ATPase). The pathological results supported the concept of improved prevention with aFGF treatment. The possible tissue protection by aFGF may come from its ability to regulate the concentration of evtra- and intracellular calcium ion. Besides, it may moderate other Ca2+ dependent enzyme conversion processes. Also, it may take part in the vascular tone regulation under ischemia and reperfusion conditions. These results suggest further study of tissue ischemia prevention with FGF and its possible mechanisms in the future.

The double mutations of acvr2aa and acvr2ba leads to muscle hypertrophy in zebrafish

Activin A receptor,type II(Acvr2)is a member of the transforming growth factor beta receptor family and can function as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass.Acvr2 plays an important role in regulating muscle development that can inhibit skeletal muscle growth in mice.However,there is very little research reported on the function of acvr2 in muscle development of teleost.In this study,we analyzed the effect of acvr2aa and acvr2ba on muscle development in zebrafish.Growth rates of WT and acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀were measured from juvenile stage to adult stage.In addition,effects of acvr2 on skeletal muscle were tested in histological,protein and molecular levels.As a result,acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀exhibited a wider body trunk than WT and showed a significant increase in body weight and width from two months old.Histological analysis of skeletal muscle indicated that the size of muscle fiber in acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀(female:1809±123μm^(2);male:2261±130μm^(2))was larger than that in WT(709.8±49μm^(2);815±53μm^(2)).In addition,western blot of fast MyLc protein showed the protein synthesis of acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀are increased.Besides,Histological analysis of heart showed the ventricle area is aslo increased in acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀.Our results demonstrated acvr2 attends the development of muscle fiber and will cause muscle hypertrophy when they were knocked out in zebrafish.In conclusion,acvr2 in zebrafish can control the development of muscle fibers during posthatch growth.