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Differential effects of myostatin deficiency on motor and sensory axons
Author(s) -
Jones Maria R.,
Villalón Eric,
Northcutt Adam J.,
Calcutt Nigel A.,
Garcia Michael L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25570
Subject(s) - axon , myelin , sensory system , neuroscience , myostatin , biology , anatomy , central nervous system , skeletal muscle
Deletion of myostatin in mice ( MSTN −/− ) alters structural properties of peripheral axons. However, properties like axon diameter and myelin thickness were analyzed in mixed nerves, so it is unclear whether loss of myostatin affects motor, sensory, or both types of axons. Methods Using the MSTN −/− mouse model, we analyzed the effects of increasing the number of muscle fibers on axon diameter, myelin thickness, and internode length in motor and sensory axons. Results Axon diameter and myelin thickness were increased in motor axons of MSTN −/− mice without affecting internode length or axon number. The number of sensory axons was increased without affecting their structural properties. Discussion These results suggest that motor and sensory axons establish structural properties by independent mechanisms. Moreover, in motor axons, instructive cues from the neuromuscular junction may play a role in co‐regulating axon diameter and myelin thickness, whereas internode length is established independently. Muscle Nerve 56 : E100–E107, 2017