Co-ordinated expression of contractile and non-contractile features of control equine muscle fibre types characterised by immunostaining of myosin heavy chains.
Abstract: Combined methodologies of immunohistochemistry, histochemistry and photometric image analysis were applied: (1) to characterise control equine skeletal muscle fibres according to their myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition and (2) to determine on a fibre-to-fibre basis the correlation between contractile [i.e. MyHC(s), myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase) and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) isoforms], metabolic [i.e. succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) activities, glycogen and phospholamban (PLB) contents], and morphological [i.e. cross-sectional area (CSA), capillary and nuclear densities] features of individual myofibres. An accurate delineation of MyHC-based fibre types was obtained with the immunohistochemical method developed. This protocol showed a high sensitivity and objectivity to delineate hybrid fibres with overwhelming dominance of one MyHC isoform and, furthermore, it allowed a semiquantitative delineation of fast hybrid fibres according to the predominant MyHC isoform expressed. The phenotypic differences in contractile, metabolic and morphological properties seen between fibre types were related to MyHC content. Slow fibres had the lowest mATPase activity (related to shortening velocity), the highest SDH activity (oxidative capacity), the lowest GPD activity (glycolytic metabolism) and glycogen content, the smallest CSA, the greatest capillary and nuclear densities, and expressed slow SERCA isoform and PLB, but not the fast SERCA isoform. The reverse pattern was true for pure IID/X fibres, and type IIA fibres had intermediate properties. Hybrid IIAD/X fibres had mean values intermediate to those of their respective pure phenotypes. Discrimination of fibres according to their MyHC content was possible on the basis of their contractile and non-contractile profiles. These intrafibre interdependencies suggest that, even when controlled by different mechanisms, myofibres of control horses exhibit a high degree of co-ordination in their physiological, biochemical and anatomical features.
Publication Date: 2001-11-10 PubMed ID: 11702188DOI: 10.1007/s004180100319Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper explores the correlation between contractile, metabolic, and morphological features of muscle fibres in horses. It primarily utilises techniques like immunohistochemistry, histochemistry, and photometric image analysis to categorise horse muscle fibres based on their myosin heavy chain composition.
Methodology
- For the categorisation of the equine skeletal muscle fibres, the research leveraged immunohistochemistry, histochemistry and photometric image analysis techniques.
- The study aimed at determining the correlation between contractile, metabolic, and morphological features of individual muscle fibres.
- A new immunohistochemical method was developed and used to accurately delineate MyHC-based fibre types, including identifying hybrid fibres mainly hosting one MyHC isoform.
Results and Observations
- The phenotypic disparities in the contractile, metabolic, and morphological attributes among different fibre types were connected to the MyHC content.
- Slow fibres displayed the least mATPase activity, highest SDH activity, smallest Cross-Sectional Area (CSA), maximum capillary and nuclear densities. They expressed slow SERCA isoform and PLB but not the fast SERCA isoform, indicating low shortening velocity, high oxidative capacity, and low glycolytic metabolism.
- Pure IID/X fibres showed an opposing pattern, suggesting high shortening velocity, low oxidative capacity, and high glycolytic metabolism. Type IIA fibres exhibited intermediate properties.
- Hybrid IIAD/X fibres had mean qualities that blended those of their respective pure phenotypes.
Conclusions
- The research managed to distinguish fibres based on their MyHC content, referring to their contractile and non-contractile profiles, attributing to the development of the novel immunohistochemical method.
- The study concludes that the muscle fibres of control horses show significant co-ordination in their physiological, biochemical, and anatomical features. These interdependencies within the fibre indicate that despite differing control mechanisms, there exists a well-regulated muscle fibre system in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Quiroz-Rothe E, Rivero JL.
(2001).
Co-ordinated expression of contractile and non-contractile features of control equine muscle fibre types characterised by immunostaining of myosin heavy chains.
Histochem Cell Biol, 116(4), 299-312.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s004180100319 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Comparative and Pathological Anatomy (Muscle Biology Laboratory), University of Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio de Sanidad Animal, Crtra. Madrid-Cadiz, km 396, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
- Animals
- Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
- Calcium-Transporting ATPases / metabolism
- Capillaries / physiology
- Cell Nucleus / physiology
- Female
- Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Muscle Contraction / physiology
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / chemistry
- Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / physiology
- Myofibrils / enzymology
- Myosin Heavy Chains / analysis
- Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
- Succinate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Curry JW, Hohl R, Noakes TD, Kohn TA. High oxidative capacity and type IIx fibre content in springbok and fallow deer skeletal muscle suggest fast sprinters with a resistance to fatigue.. J Exp Biol 2012 Nov 15;215(Pt 22):3997-4005.
- Graziotti GH, Chamizo VE, Ríos C, Acevedo LM, Rodríguez-Menéndez JM, Victorica C, Rivero JL. Adaptive functional specialisation of architectural design and fibre type characteristics in agonist shoulder flexor muscles of the llama, Lama glama.. J Anat 2012 Aug;221(2):151-63.
- Votion DM, Gnaiger E, Lemieux H, Mouithys-Mickalad A, Serteyn D. Physical fitness and mitochondrial respiratory capacity in horse skeletal muscle.. PLoS One 2012;7(4):e34890.
- Liu JX, Thornell LE, Pedrosa-Domellöf F. Distribution of SERCA isoforms in human intrafusal fibers.. Histochem Cell Biol 2003 Oct;120(4):299-306.
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