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Neuromuscular System

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The NeuroMuscular System: From Earth to Space Life Science

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences ((BRIEFSSLS))

Abstract

Skeletal muscle adaptations in different environment conditions are particularly sensed at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the most distal connection of the neuromuscular system to peripheral target muscles. For example, in all models of muscle disuse atrophy (e.g., bed rest, denervation, limb immobilization, unloading), the NMJ experiences disruptive structural adaptations that are very similar to those observed during exposure to microgravity (μG) in Space. Thus, prolonged disuse and μG both exert adverse effects on the determination of skeletal muscle mass. However, studies on the molecular mechanisms of the normal neuromuscular system including the NMJ in disuse and in different adaptation conditions are scarce. The NMJ on its own is a highly specialized cell-cell communication contact between a nerve (axon terminal) and a muscle fiber (myofiber) providing the basis for the appropriate peripheral motor control of the neuromuscular system. Altered muscle contraction activity more extensively stimulate NMJ remodeling with synaptic microstructure and size changes. The most relevant changes include decreased synaptic vesicle density and neurotransmitter content, but also axon terminal de-/regeneration with regression and sprouting mechanisms. Previous studies in Space reported microgravity-induced cellular and molecular changes at spaceflown rodent NMJs. We found candidates of the Homer protein family (previously found at central synapses of brain) also expressed at the NMJ subsynaptic microdomain region of human skeletal muscle that were however lost in disuse and upregulated by exercise in bed rest, suggesting activity-driven Homer expression mechanisms and functions with unique roles in normal NMJ function and adaptation.

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  1. Vegetative Anatomy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Dieter Blottner & Michele Salanova

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  1. Dieter Blottner
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  2. Michele Salanova
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Blottner, D., Salanova, M. (2015). Neuromuscular System. In: The NeuroMuscular System: From Earth to Space Life Science. SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12298-4_3

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