Knee osteoarthritis induces atrophy and neuromuscular junction remodeling in the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles of rats

Autor(es)

Cunha, Jonathan Emanuel ^[1] ; Barbosa, Germanna Medeiros ^[1] ; Tome de Souza Castro, Paula Aiello ^[1] ; Ferreira Luiz, Beatriz Leite ^[1] ; Arcari Silva, Andreza Cristine ^[1] ; Russo, Thiago Luiz ^[1] ; Vasilceac, Fernando Augusto ^[2] ; Cunha, Thiago Mattar ^[3] ; Cunha, Fernando Queiroz ^[3] ; Salvini, Tania Fatima ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Phys Therapy Dept, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Gerontol Dept, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Pharmacol Dept, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 9, APR 24 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with muscle weakness, but it is unclear which structures are involved in the muscle changes. This study assessed morphological alterations and the expression of genes and proteins linked to muscular atrophy and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in KOA, induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in rats. Two groups of rats were assessed: control (without intervention) and KOA (ACLT surgery in the right knee). After 8 weeks, quadriceps, tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius muscles were analyzed (area of muscle fibers, NMJ, gene and protein expression). KOA group showed atrophy in quadriceps (15.7%) and TA (33%), with an increase in atrogin-1 and muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF-1). KOA group showed quadriceps NMJ remodeling (reduction area and perimeter) and decrease in NMJ diameter in TA muscle. The expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) gamma-nAChR increased and that of alpha-nAChR and muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) declined in the quadriceps, with a decrease in epsilon-nAChR in TA. MuRF-1 protein expression increased in quadriceps and TA, with no changes in neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). In conclusion, ACLT-induced KOA promotes NMJ remodeling and atrophy in quadriceps and TA muscles, associated with inflammatory signs and changes in muscle gene and protein expression. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/26567-2 - Efeito da crioterapia na nocicepção, nas citocinas inflamatórias e nas vias de sinalização neuromuscular em camundongos com artrite de joelho
• Beneficiário: Paula Aiello Tomé de Souza Castro
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 16/24666-6 - Análise morfológica e das vias de sinalização da junção neuromuscular em ratos com osteoartrite de joelho induzida por transecção do ligamento cruzado anterior
• Beneficiário: Jonathan Emanuel da Cunha
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado