Expression of protocadherin gamma in skeletal muscle tissue is associated with age and muscle weakness

Roland W. J. Hangelbroek*, Parastoo Fazelzadeh, Michael Tieland, Mark V. Boekschoten, Guido J. E. J. Hooiveld, John P. M. van Duynhoven, James A. Timmons, Lex B. Verdijk, Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot, Lucas van Loon, Michael Mueller*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background The skeletal muscle system plays an important role in the independence of older adults. In this study we examine differences in the skeletal muscle transcriptome between healthy young and older subjects and (pre-)frail older adults. Additionally, we examine the effect of resistance-type exercise training on the muscle transcriptome in healthy older subjects and (pre-)frail older adults. Methods Baseline transcriptome profiles were measured in muscle biopsies collected from 53 young, 73 healthy older subjects, and 61 frail older subjects. Follow-up samples from these frail older subjects (31 samples) and healthy older subjects (41 samples) were collected after 6 months of progressive resistance-type exercise training. Frail older subjects trained twice per week and the healthy older subjects trained three times per week. Results At baseline genes related to mitochondrial function and energy metabolism were differentially expressed between older and young subjects, as well as between healthy and frail older subjects. Three hundred seven genes were differentially expressed after training in both groups. Training affected expression levels of genes related to extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism ,and vascularization. Expression of genes that were modulated by exercise training was indicative of muscle strength at baseline. Genes that strongly correlated with strength belonged to the protocadherin gamma gene cluster (r=-0.73). Conclusions Our data suggest significant remaining plasticity of ageing skeletal muscle to adapt to resistance-type exercise training. Some age-related changes in skeletal muscle gene expression appear to be partially reversed by prolonged resistance-type exercise training. The protocadherin gamma gene cluster may be related to muscle denervation and re-innervation in ageing muscle.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)604-614
JournalJournal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle
Volume7
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2016

Keywords

  • Ageing
  • Frailty
  • Skeletal muscle
  • Transcriptomics

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