Growing old too early: Skeletal muscle single fiber biomechanics in ageing r349p desmin knock-in mice using the myorobot technology

Pollmann C, Haug M, Reischl B, Prölß G, Pöschel T, Rupitsch S, Clemen CS, Schröder R, Friedrich O (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences MDPI

Book Volume: 21

Pages Range: 1-18

Article Number: 5501

Journal Issue: 15

DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155501

Abstract

Muscle biomechanics relies on active motor protein assembly and passive strain transmission through cytoskeletal structures. The desmin filament network aligns myofibrils at the z-discs, provides nuclear–sarcolemmal anchorage and may also serve as memory for muscle repositioning following large strains. Our previous analyses of R349P desmin knock-in mice, an animal model for the human R350P desminopathy, already depicted pre-clinical changes in myofibrillar arrangement and increased fiber bundle stiffness. As the effect of R349P desmin on axial biomechanics in fully differentiated single muscle fibers is unknown, we used our MyoRobot to compare passive visco-elasticity and active contractile biomechanics in single fibers from fast-and slow-twitch muscles from adult to senile mice, hetero-or homozygous for the R349P desmin mutation with wild type littermates. We demonstrate that R349P desmin presence predominantly increased axial stiffness in both muscle types with a pre-aged phenotype over wild type fibers. Axial viscosity and Ca2+-mediated force were largely unaffected. Mutant single fibers showed tendencies towards faster unloaded shortening over wild type fibers. Effects of aging seen in the wild type appeared earlier in the mutant desmin fibers. Our single-fiber experiments, free of extracellular matrix, suggest that compromised muscle biomechanics is not exclusively attributed to fibrosis but also originates from an impaired intermediate filament network.

Authors with CRIS profile

Charlotte Meyer Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie Michael Haug Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie Barbara Reischl Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie Gerhard Prölß Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie Thorsten Pöschel Lehrstuhl für Multiscale Simulation of Particulate Systems Stefan Rupitsch Lehrstuhl für Autonome Systeme und Mechatronik Rolf Schröder Professur für Neuropathologie Oliver Friedrich Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Biotechnologie

Involved external institutions

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Pollmann, C., Haug, M., Reischl, B., Prölß, G., Pöschel, T., Rupitsch, S.,... Friedrich, O. (2020). Growing old too early: Skeletal muscle single fiber biomechanics in ageing r349p desmin knock-in mice using the myorobot technology. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(15), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21155501

MLA:

Pollmann, Charlotte, et al. "Growing old too early: Skeletal muscle single fiber biomechanics in ageing r349p desmin knock-in mice using the myorobot technology." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21.15 (2020): 1-18.

BibTeX: Download