Neurturin is a PGC-1α1-controlled myokine that promotes motor neuron recruitment and neuromuscular junction formation

• Main Authors: Richard Mills (Author), Hermes Taylor-Weiner (Author), Jorge C. Correia (Author), Leandro Z. Agudelo (Author), Ilary Allodi (Author), Christina Kolonelou (Author), Vicente Martinez-Redondo (Author), Duarte M.S. Ferreira (Author), Susanne Nichterwitz (Author), Laura H. Comley (Author), Vanessa Lundin (Author), Eva Hedlund (Author), Jorge L. Ruas (Author), Ana I. Teixeira (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objective: We examined whether skeletal muscle overexpression of PGC-1α1 or PGC-1α4 affected myokine secretion and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation. Methods: A microfluidic device was used to model endocrine signaling and NMJ formation between primary mouse myoblast-derived myotubes and embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons. Differences in hydrostatic pressure allowed for fluidic isolation of either cell type or unidirectional signaling in the fluid phase. Myotubes were transduced to overexpress PGC-1α1 or PGC-1α4, and myokine secretion was quantified using a proximity extension assay. Morphological and functional changes in NMJs were measured by fluorescent microscopy and by monitoring muscle contraction upon motor neuron stimulation. Results: Skeletal muscle transduction with PGC-1α1, but not PGC-1α4, increased NMJ formation and size. PGC-1α1 increased muscle secretion of neurturin, which was sufficient and necessary for the effects of muscle PGC-1α1 on NMJ formation. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that neurturin is a mediator of PGC-1α1-dependent retrograde signaling from muscle to motor neurons. Keywords: Skeletal muscle, PGC-1α, Neurturin, Motor neuron, Myokine

Item Description

2212-8778
10.1016/j.molmet.2017.11.001