Reduced TrkB expression results in precocious age-like changes in neuromuscular structure, neurotransmission, and muscle function

J Appl Physiol (1985). 2011 Sep;111(3):844-52. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00070.2011. Epub 2011 Jul 7.

Abstract

Acute blockade of signaling through the tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) attenuates neuromuscular transmission and fragments postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in adult mice, suggesting that TrkB signaling is a key regulator of neuromuscular function. Using immunohistochemical, histological, and in vitro muscle contractile techniques, we tested the hypothesis that constitutively reduced TrkB expression would disrupt neuromuscular pre- and postsynaptic structure, neurotransmission, muscle fiber size, and muscle function in the soleus muscle of 6- to 8-mo-old TrkB⁺/⁻ mice compared with age-matched littermates. Age-like expansion of postsynaptic AChR area, AChR fragmentation, and denervation was observed in TrkB⁺/⁻ mice similar to that found in 24-mo-old wild-type mice. Neurotransmission failure was increased in TrkB⁺/⁻ mice, suggesting that these morphologic changes were sufficient to alter synaptic function. Reduced TrkB expression resulted in decreased muscle strength and fiber cross-sectional area. Immunohistochemical and muscle retrograde labeling experiments show that motor neuron number and size are unaffected in TrkB⁺/⁻ mice. These results suggest that TrkB- signaling at the neuromuscular junction plays a role in synaptic stabilization, neurotransmission, and muscle function and may impact the aging process of sarcopenia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / deficiency*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, 129 Strain
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism*
  • Motor Neurons / pathology
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle Strength
  • Muscle Weakness / genetics
  • Muscle Weakness / metabolism*
  • Muscle Weakness / pathology
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Neuromuscular Junction / metabolism*
  • Neuromuscular Junction / pathology
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiopathology
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / deficiency*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / metabolism
  • Sarcopenia / genetics
  • Sarcopenia / metabolism*
  • Sarcopenia / pathology
  • Sarcopenia / physiopathology
  • Synaptic Transmission*

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Ntrk2 protein, mouse
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • neurotrophin 4