title: Oxytocin is an age-specific circulating hormone that is necessary for muscle maintenance and regeneration.
abstract: The regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle declines with age. Previous studies suggest that this process can be reversed by exposure to young circulation; however, systemic age-specific factors responsible for this phenomenon are largely unknown. Here we report that oxytocin--a hormone best known for its role in lactation, parturition and social behaviours--is required for proper muscle tissue regeneration and homeostasis, and that plasma levels of oxytocin decline with age. Inhibition of oxytocin signalling in young animals reduces muscle regeneration, whereas systemic administration of oxytocin rapidly improves muscle regeneration by enhancing aged muscle stem cell activation/proliferation through activation of the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. We further show that the genetic lack of oxytocin does not cause a developmental defect in muscle but instead leads to premature sarcopenia. Considering that oxytocin is an FDA-approved drug, this work reveals a potential novel and safe way to combat or prevent skeletal muscle ageing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elabd
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cousin
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Pavan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Upadhyayula
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Robert Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Marc S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chooljian
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Ju
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Sunny
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kung
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Kevin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Stem Cell Center, and QB3 Institute, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; University of California, Berkeley B107B Stanley Hall #1762 Berkeley, CA 94720-1762.
authors.forename: Irina M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Conboy
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006706:Homeostasis; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D051379:Mice; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000235:genetics*; D032496:Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin