The low-affinity receptor for neurotrophins p75NTR plays a key role for satellite cell function in muscle repair acting via RhoA

Mol Biol Cell. 2009 Aug;20(16):3620-7. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e09-01-0012. Epub 2009 Jun 24.

Abstract

Regeneration of muscle fibers, lost during pathological muscle degeneration or after injuries, is mediated by the production of new myofibres. This process, sustained by the resident stem cells of the muscle, the satellite cells, is finely regulated by local cues, in particular by cytokines and growth factors. Evidence in the literature suggests that nerve growth factor (NGF) is involved in muscle fiber regeneration; however, its role and mechanism of action were unclear. We have investigated this issue in in vivo mouse models of muscle regeneration and in primary myogenic cells. Our results demonstrate that NGF acts through its low-affinity receptor p75(NTR) in a developmentally regulated signaling pathway necessary to myogenic differentiation and muscle repair in vivo. We also demonstrate that this action of NGF is mediated by the down-regulation of RhoA-GTP signaling in myogenic cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Fusion
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / physiology
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / ultrastructure
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Regeneration / physiology*
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / cytology
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Ngfr protein, mouse
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein