Pulmonary inflammation-induced loss and subsequent recovery of skeletal muscle mass require functional poly-ubiquitin conjugation

Judith J. M. Ceelen, Annemie M. W. J. Schols, Nathalie G. M. Thielen, Astrid Haegens, Douglas A. Gray, Marco C. J. M. Kelders, Chiel C. de Theije, Ramon C. J. Langen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary inflammation in response to respiratory infections can evoke muscle wasting. Increased activity of the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system (UPS) and the autophagy lysosome pathway (ALP) have been implicated in inflammation-induced muscle atrophy. Since poly-Ub conjugation is required for UPS-mediated proteolysis and has been implicated in the ALP, we assessed the effect of impaired ubiquitin conjugation on muscle atrophy and recovery following pulmonary inflammation, and compared activation and suppression of these proteolytic systems to protein synthesis regulation.

Methods: Pulmonary inflammation was induced in mice by an intratracheal instillation of LPS. Proteolysis (UPS and ALP) and synthesis signaling were examined in gastrocnemiusmuscle homogenates. Ub-conjugation-dependency of muscle atrophy and recovery was addressed using Ub-K48R (K48R) mice with attenuated poly-ubiquitin conjugation, and compared to UBWT control mice.

Results: Pulmonary inflammation caused a decrease in skeletal muscle mass which was accompanied by a rapid increase in expression of UPS and ALP constituents and reduction in protein synthesis signaling acutely after LPS. Muscle atrophy was attenuated in K48R mice, while ALP and protein synthesis signaling were not affected. Muscle mass recovery starting 72 h post LPS, correlated with reduced expression of UPS and ALP constituents and restoration of protein synthesis signaling. K48R mice however displayed impaired recovery of muscle mass.

Conclusion: Pulmonary inflammation-induced muscle atrophy is in part attributable to UPS-mediated proteolysis, as activation of ALP-and suppression of protein synthesis signaling occur independently of poly-Ub conjugation during muscle atrophy. Recovery of muscle mass following pulmonary inflammation involves inverse regulation of proteolysis and protein synthesis signaling, and requires a functional poly-Ub conjugation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number80
Number of pages11
JournalRespiratory Research
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 May 2018

Keywords

  • Inflammation
  • Skeletal muscle atrophy
  • Autophagy
  • Poly-ubiquitin
  • Proteolysis
  • Protein synthesis
  • KAPPA-B ACTIVATION
  • COPD EXACERBATION
  • PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS
  • C2C12 MYOTUBES
  • IN-VIVO
  • AUTOPHAGY
  • ATROPHY
  • PROTEASOME
  • DISEASE
  • PHOSPHORYLATION

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