Activation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1a promotes myogenesis through the noncanonical Wnt pathway, leading to hypertrophic myotubes. Issue 5 (10th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cirillo, Federica; Resmini, Giulia; Ghiroldi, Andrea; Piccoli, Marco; Bergante, Sonia; Tettamanti, Guido; Anastasia, Luigi
• Is Part Of: FASEB journal. Volume 31:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 2146
• Page End: 2156
• Publication Date: 2017-02-10
• Subjects: HIF‐1α -- MyoD -- skeletal muscle differentiation -- myoblasts; Biology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600878R
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6638

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Regeneration of skeletal muscle is a complex process that requires the activation of quiescent adult stem cells, called satellite cells, which are resident in hypoxic niches in the tissue. Hypoxia has been recognized as a key factor to maintain stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Herein we report that hypoxia plays a fundamental role also in activating myogenesis. In particular, we found that the activation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α under hypoxia, in murine skeletal myoblasts, leads to activation of MyoD through the noncanonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Moreover, chemical inhibition of HIF‐1α activity significantly reduces differentiation, thus confirming its crucial role in the process. Furthermore, hypoxia‐preconditioned myoblasts, once induced to differentiate under normoxic conditions, tend to form hypertrophic myotubes. These results support the notion that hypoxia plays a pivotal role in activating the regeneration process by directly inducing myogenesis through HIF‐1α. Although preliminary, these findings may suggest new perspective for novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of several muscle diseases.—Cirillo, F., Resmini, G., Ghiroldi, A., Piccoli, M., Bergante, S., Tettamanti, G., Anastasia, L. Activation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α promotes myogenesis through the noncanonical Wnt pathway, leading to hypertrophic myotubes. FASEB J. 31, 2146–2156 (2017). www.fasebj.org