title: Mechanically induced alterations in cultured skeletal muscle growth.
abstract: Model systems are available for mechanically stimulating cultured skeletal muscle cells by passive tensile forces which simulate those found in vivo. When applied to embryonic muscle cells in vitro these forces induce tissue organogenesis, metabolic adaptations, and muscle cell growth. The mechanical stimulation of muscle cell growth correlates with stretch-induced increases in the efflux of prostaglandins PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in a time and frequency dependent manner. These prostaglandins act as mechanical "second messengers" regulating skeletal muscle protein turnover rates. Since they also effect bone remodelling in response to tissue loading and unloading, secreted prostaglandins may serve as paracrine growth factors, coordinating the growth rates of muscle and bone in response to external mechanical forces. Cell culture model systems will supplement other models in understanding mechanical transduction processes at the molecular level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Vandenburgh
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatfaludy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karlisch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shansky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D024510:Muscle Development; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical