Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistance
Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes and obesity are often seen concurrently with skeletal muscle wasting, leading to further derangements in function and metabolism. Muscle wasting remains an unmet need for metabolic disease, and new approaches are warranted. The neuropeptide urocortin 2 (UCN2) and...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12746 |
| _version_ | 1797203839965724672 |
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| author | Melissa L. Borg Julie Massart Thais De Castro Barbosa Adrià Archilla‐Ortega Jonathon A.B. Smith Johanna T. Lanner Jorge Alsina‐Fernandez Benjamin Yaden Alexander E. Culver Håkan K.R. Karlsson Joseph T. Brozinick Juleen R. Zierath |
| author_facet | Melissa L. Borg Julie Massart Thais De Castro Barbosa Adrià Archilla‐Ortega Jonathon A.B. Smith Johanna T. Lanner Jorge Alsina‐Fernandez Benjamin Yaden Alexander E. Culver Håkan K.R. Karlsson Joseph T. Brozinick Juleen R. Zierath |
| author_sort | Melissa L. Borg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes and obesity are often seen concurrently with skeletal muscle wasting, leading to further derangements in function and metabolism. Muscle wasting remains an unmet need for metabolic disease, and new approaches are warranted. The neuropeptide urocortin 2 (UCN2) and its receptor corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRHR2) are highly expressed in skeletal muscle and play a role in regulating energy balance, glucose metabolism, and muscle mass. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of modified UCN2 peptides as a pharmaceutical therapy to counteract the loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with obesity and casting immobilization. Methods High‐fat‐fed mice (C57Bl/6J; 26 weeks old) and ob/ob mice (11 weeks old) were injected daily with a PEGylated (Compound A) and non‐PEGylated (Compound B) modified human UCN2 at 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously for 14 days. A separate group of chow‐fed C57Bl/6J mice (12 weeks old) was subjected to hindlimb cast immobilization and, after 1 week, received daily injections with Compound A. In vivo functional tests were performed to measure protein synthesis rates and skeletal muscle function. Ex vivo functional and molecular tests were performed to measure contractile force and signal transduction of catabolic and anabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. Results Skeletal muscles (extensor digitorum longus, soleus, and tibialis anterior) from high‐fat‐fed mice treated with Compound A were ~14% heavier than muscles from vehicle‐treated mice. Chronic treatment with modified UCN2 peptides altered the expression of structural genes and transcription factors in skeletal muscle in high‐fat diet‐induced obesity including down‐regulation of Trim63 and up‐regulation of Nr4a2 and Igf1 (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Signal transduction via both catabolic and anabolic pathways was increased in tibialis anterior muscle, with increased phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 at Ser235/236, FOXO1 at Ser256, and ULK1 at Ser317, suggesting that UCN2 treatment modulates protein synthesis and degradation pathways (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Acutely, a single injection of Compound A in drug‐naïve mice had no effect on the rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, as measured via the surface sensing of translation method, while the expression of Nr4a3 and Ppargc1a4 was increased (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Compound A treatment prevented the loss of force production from disuse due to casting. Compound B treatment increased time to fatigue during ex vivo contractions of fast‐twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle. Compound A and B treatment increased lean mass and rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis in ob/ob mice. Conclusions Modified human UCN2 is a pharmacological candidate for the prevention of the loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with obesity and immobilization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T08:25:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c0234bc7ba04d1092c8b189c782f2dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2190-5991 2190-6009 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T08:25:43Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c0234bc7ba04d1092c8b189c782f2dd2024-04-16T22:23:25ZengWileyJournal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle2190-59912190-60092021-10-011251232124810.1002/jcsm.12746Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistanceMelissa L. Borg0Julie Massart1Thais De Castro Barbosa2Adrià Archilla‐Ortega3Jonathon A.B. Smith4Johanna T. Lanner5Jorge Alsina‐Fernandez6Benjamin Yaden7Alexander E. Culver8Håkan K.R. Karlsson9Joseph T. Brozinick10Juleen R. Zierath11Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section for Integrative Physiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Molecular Muscle Physiology and Pathophysiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenLilly Research Laboratories Division of Eli Lilly and Company Indianapolis IN USALilly Research Laboratories Division of Eli Lilly and Company Indianapolis IN USALilly Research Laboratories Division of Eli Lilly and Company Indianapolis IN USADepartment of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section for Integrative Physiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenLilly Research Laboratories Division of Eli Lilly and Company Indianapolis IN USADepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section for Integrative Physiology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm SwedenAbstract Background Type 2 diabetes and obesity are often seen concurrently with skeletal muscle wasting, leading to further derangements in function and metabolism. Muscle wasting remains an unmet need for metabolic disease, and new approaches are warranted. The neuropeptide urocortin 2 (UCN2) and its receptor corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 (CRHR2) are highly expressed in skeletal muscle and play a role in regulating energy balance, glucose metabolism, and muscle mass. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of modified UCN2 peptides as a pharmaceutical therapy to counteract the loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with obesity and casting immobilization. Methods High‐fat‐fed mice (C57Bl/6J; 26 weeks old) and ob/ob mice (11 weeks old) were injected daily with a PEGylated (Compound A) and non‐PEGylated (Compound B) modified human UCN2 at 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously for 14 days. A separate group of chow‐fed C57Bl/6J mice (12 weeks old) was subjected to hindlimb cast immobilization and, after 1 week, received daily injections with Compound A. In vivo functional tests were performed to measure protein synthesis rates and skeletal muscle function. Ex vivo functional and molecular tests were performed to measure contractile force and signal transduction of catabolic and anabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. Results Skeletal muscles (extensor digitorum longus, soleus, and tibialis anterior) from high‐fat‐fed mice treated with Compound A were ~14% heavier than muscles from vehicle‐treated mice. Chronic treatment with modified UCN2 peptides altered the expression of structural genes and transcription factors in skeletal muscle in high‐fat diet‐induced obesity including down‐regulation of Trim63 and up‐regulation of Nr4a2 and Igf1 (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Signal transduction via both catabolic and anabolic pathways was increased in tibialis anterior muscle, with increased phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 at Ser235/236, FOXO1 at Ser256, and ULK1 at Ser317, suggesting that UCN2 treatment modulates protein synthesis and degradation pathways (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Acutely, a single injection of Compound A in drug‐naïve mice had no effect on the rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, as measured via the surface sensing of translation method, while the expression of Nr4a3 and Ppargc1a4 was increased (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Compound A treatment prevented the loss of force production from disuse due to casting. Compound B treatment increased time to fatigue during ex vivo contractions of fast‐twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle. Compound A and B treatment increased lean mass and rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis in ob/ob mice. Conclusions Modified human UCN2 is a pharmacological candidate for the prevention of the loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with obesity and immobilization.https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12746Muscle wastingObesityDiabetesInsulin resistanceExerciseTherapy |
| spellingShingle | Melissa L. Borg Julie Massart Thais De Castro Barbosa Adrià Archilla‐Ortega Jonathon A.B. Smith Johanna T. Lanner Jorge Alsina‐Fernandez Benjamin Yaden Alexander E. Culver Håkan K.R. Karlsson Joseph T. Brozinick Juleen R. Zierath Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistance Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle Muscle wasting Obesity Diabetes Insulin resistance Exercise Therapy |
| title | Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistance |
| title_full | Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistance |
| title_fullStr | Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistance |
| title_short | Modified UCN2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity‐induced insulin resistance |
| title_sort | modified ucn2 peptide treatment improves skeletal muscle mass and function in mouse models of obesity induced insulin resistance |
| topic | Muscle wasting Obesity Diabetes Insulin resistance Exercise Therapy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12746 |
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