Physiological role of receptor activator nuclear factor-kB (RANK) in denervation-induced muscle atrophy and dysfunction.

The bone remodeling and homeostasis are mainly controlled by the receptor-activator of nuclear factor kB (RANK), its ligand RANKL, and the soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway. While there is a strong association between osteoporosis and skeletal muscle dysfunction, the functional relevance of a particular biological pathway that synchronously regulates bone and skeletal muscle physiopathology remains elusive. Our recent article published in the American Journal of Physiology (Cell Physiology) showed that RANK is also expressed in fully differentiated C2C12 myotubes and skeletal muscles. We used the Cre-Lox approach to inactivate muscle RANK (RANKmko) and showed that RANK deletion preserves the force of denervated fast-twitch EDL muscles. However, RANK deletion had no positive impact on slow-twitch Sol muscles. In addition, denervating RANKmko EDL muscles induced an increase in the total calcium concentration ([CaT]), which was associated with a surprising decrease in SERCA activity. Interestingly, the levels of STIM-1, which mediates Ca2+ influx following the depletion of SR Ca2+ stores, were markedly higher in denervated RANKmko EDL muscles. We speculated that extracellular Ca2+ influx mediated by STIM-1 may be important for the increase in [CaT] and the gain of force in denervated RANKmko EDL muscles. Overall, these findings showed for the first time that the RANKL/RANK interaction plays a role in denervation-induced muscle atrophy and dysfunction.

Introduction

Bone remodeling is an essential process for maintaining bone homeostasis throughout the life of an individual. It is under the control of local and systemic factors that orchestrate osteoblast/osteoclast activation [. RANK, the receptor-activator of RANKL, and the OPG triad (RANK/RANKL/OPG) play important roles in fine-tuning the activity of these two bone cell types. RANKL is mainly expressed by bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts [. The binding of RANKL to RANK on osteoclast precursors trimerizes its receptor and induces osteoclast differentiation and activation, resulting in bone resorption. RANK knockout impairs osteoclastogenesis and induces osteopetrosis, while the overproduction of RANKL induces osteoporosis [. OPG, the third protagonist, is mainly produced by bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts and exerts an inhibitory effect on the osteoclastic process. OPG has a high affinity for RANKL and inhibits the RANKL/RANK interaction and subsequent bone degradation. In addition to RANKL, OPG serves as a low affinity decoy receptor for TRAIL. Pre-clinical studies have suggested that this interaction increases cell survival by blocking the apoptotic effects of the RANKL/RANK interaction [. The fact that the overexpression of OPG or an exogenous OPG treatment [ in mice results in osteopetrosis and that OPG-null mice are osteoporotic are testimony to the physiological importance of OPG [.

Clinical studies have clearly shown that there is an association between osteoporosis and muscle atrophy and that the worsening of these conditions happens in tandem [. While bones and skeletal muscles are closely related and are mechanically linked, the possibility of dynamic molecular cross-talk between these tissues and a common signaling pathway that can efficiently control them has been underappreciated to date. Since the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway is the most important cytokine network involved in bone biology and diseases, we postulated that this bone pathway is also involved in muscle atrophy and dysfunction. We first showed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy that C2C12 myotubes and fully differentiated skeletal muscles express RANK on the membranes of fast and slow-twitch myofibers [. Based on the protective effect of RANK deletion on bone mass [, we next postulated that selective muscle RANK deletion preserves muscle mass and function and favors a fast-twitch phenotype following denervation.

Muscle phenotype and RANK

Skeletal muscles are primarily composed of four muscle fiber types: type I fibers (slow and oxidative), type IIa fibers (fast and oxidative), and type IIx and IIb fibers (fast and glycolytic). The function largely dictates the phenotype and composition of each skeletal muscle. For example, the Sol muscle, a postural muscle, is largely composed of slow oxidative type I fibers while the EDL muscle, a phasic muscle, is almost exclusively composed of fast-twitch fibers [. These two muscles encompass the two extremes of the phenotypic spectrum of the skeletal muscle contractile apparatus. Type I fibers play an important role in maintaining the body in an upright position, while type IIb and IIx fibers are responsive during movement and physical activity. Type IIa fibers are a hybrid of type I and type IIb fibers and can perform short or prolonged exercises. Specific exercises, immobilization, unloading, denervation, muscle diseases, or glucocorticoid treatments affect all four muscle fiber phenotypes to different degrees. For instance, decreases in mechanical loading and neuromuscular activity favor muscle atrophy and a conversion of muscle fiber phenotypes from slow to fast [. Functional muscle overload causes a gain in muscle mass while prolonged exercise leads to the transformation of pre-existing fast-twitch muscle fibers to a slow-twitch oxidative phenotype. Type IIb fibers, the most powerful fibers, are converted to oxidative phenotype fibers (type I or IIa) and disappear through a necrotic process during myopathies, aging, and glucocorticoid treatments [. Intracellular/cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) fluctuations play a crucial role in the maintenance and adaptation of muscle phenotypes. The increase in [Ca2+]i is caused by a Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space and/or Ca2+ release from [Ca2+]i stores. The SR is the major releasable [Ca2+]i store. Ca2+ channels and pumps maintain a steep Ca2+ concentration gradient between different cell compartments. Generally speaking, the spatial pattern of increased free [Ca2+]i at rest induces the activation of calmodulin and downstream Ca2+ decoders, namely calcineurin and CaMKII [. These two decoders modify gene transcription by activating transcription factors such as NFATc1 and MEF2 and transcription modulators such as HDAC and PGC-1α, promoting the slow myofiber phenotype [ (Figure 1). Interestingly, the increase in [Ca2+]SR, is essential to activate NFATc1, while extracellular Ca2+ is required to maintain its activation [ and to replenish [Ca2+]i stores [. Since over 97% of [Ca2+]i is stored in the SR at rest, the measurement of total Ca2+ ([CaT]) is an estimate of [Ca2+]SR content [. We used Cre-Lox technology to inactivate muscle RANK and found that the selective deletion of muscle RANK (RANKmko) decreases [CaT] in fast-twitch EDL muscles but not in Sol muscles, when compared to RANKflox/flox (RANKf/f) muscles. However, sciatic denervation markedly increased [CaT] in RANKmko EDL muscles. In addition, we discovered that denervated RANKmko EDL muscles are smaller, more fatigable, and surprisingly stronger than RANKf/f EDL muscles. Since force production is usually proportional to muscle size, we hypothesized that the increase in [CaT], i.e., [Ca2+]SR at rest, would favor Ca2+ release, increasing free [Ca2+]i and thereby the specific force of denervated RANKmko EDL muscles. The phenotypic profiles, which are consistent with these observations, showed a lower proportion of slow-twitch type I and fast-twitch type IIx fibers and a higher proportion of fast-twitch type IIa/IIb fibers in RANKmko EDL muscles relative to RANKf/f EDL muscles. However, muscle fatigue was significant and could not be explained by the modest changes in myofiber type in sham and denervated RANKmko EDL muscles. In this context, it would be highly relevant to determine whether muscle RANK deletion influences mitochondria Ca2+ uptake, another important regulator of [Ca2+]i and energy production. Our results showed for the first time that muscle RANK is an important regulator of Ca2+ storage, muscle phenotype, and muscle fatigue in normal and pathological conditions.

Figure 1

Schematic and hypothetical representation depicting the function of RANK in skeletal muscle

The action potential is conducted into the interior of the muscle cell along the T-tubules where DHPR, a voltage sensor protein, triggers Ca2+ release from the SR through RyR and muscle contraction. Once released, SERCA pumps back the Ca2+ into the SR allowing muscle relaxation and preparing muscle for the next contraction. In bone cells, RANKL/RANK interaction is important for SERCA activation, [Ca2+]i oscillations and osteoclastogenesis. In skeletal muscle, a rise in [Ca2+]i would stimulate calcineurin, a calcium dependent protein phosphatase that subsequently dephosphorylates NFATc1 and promotes a slower muscle phenotype. Muscle specific RANK deletion (RANKmko) reduces SERCA activity but protects against sciatic denervation-induced muscle dysfunction and favors a fast-twitch phenotype. We speculate that STIM-1/Orai-1 complex would compensate for the lack of SERCA activity, refilling Ca2+ stores and improving muscle function in atrophied and denervated RANKmko EDL muscles. Although the complete and precise role of muscle RANK remains poorly understood, our article in American Journal of Physiology (Cell physiology) shows that muscle RANK is an important regulator of Ca2+ storage, muscle phenotype, and muscle function in normal and pathological conditions.

Calcium signaling, RANK, and skeletal muscle

Muscle contraction involves the depolarization of the transverse-tubular system and activation of DHPRs, which in turn open RYR1 receptors adjacent to the SR membrane [. This results in the rapid efflux of large amounts of Ca2+ into the cytoplasm and the binding of Ca2+ to troponin C, causing the formation of cross-bridges between actin and myosin, the shortening of the sarcomere, and force development [. To avoid permanent contraction and allow muscle relaxation, Ca2+ is in part pumped back into the SR by an ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump called SERCA. Ca2+ reuptake into the SR is mainly controlled by the fast-twitch SERCA-1a and slow-twitch SERCA-2a isoforms in myofibers. The movement of Ca2+ is reduced when PLN is associated with SERCA. Under β-adrenergic stimulation, like the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, or sympathomimetic drugs, the phosphorylation-dependent dissociation of PLN by PKA increases SERCA activity and Ca2+ movement, enhancing skeletal muscle and heart functions (Figure 1). Alternatively, PLN deletion increases cardiac output by decreasing the time to peak pressure and the half-relaxation time [, indicating that efficient Ca2+ mobilization and the disinhibition of SERCA are prerequisites for powerful contractions. Conversely, dysfunctional SERCA expression and activity impair [Ca2+]i homeostasis, reducing the force production and power output of skeletal and cardiac muscles [. This is particularly true for fast-twitch muscles, like in dystrophic EDL muscles where Ca2+ handling is altered with the expression of the slow isoform of SERCA-2a [. Increased Ca2+ influx thus activates proteolytic pathway, which in turn causes even greater Ca2+ influx, giving rise to a possible vicious pathological cycle in dystrophic muscles [. Interestingly, the overexpression of SERCA mitigates muscular dystrophy and rescues cardiac function in a model of pressure overload, highlighting the importance of SERCA in muscle performance and disease [. In our paper, we report a number of intriguing and challenging observations, including the fact that RANK deletion in denervated EDL muscles increases [CaT] and specific force and decreases SERCA activity. This apparent discrepancy between the increase in [CaT] and the decrease in SERCA activity may be due to an alternative source of Ca2+ refilling the SR. Indeed, extracellular Ca2+ and SOCE are important for optimal muscle force production, while SOCE inhibition is associated with a decrease in contractile properties [. More specifically, Orai-1 Ca2+ channels are key sensors and major contributors to Ca2+ entry into the SR via an interplay with STIM-1. When SR Ca2+ stores are depleted, STIM-1 activates Orai-1 to refill the stores [. Additionally, Stiber et al. (2008) demonstrated that STIM-1+/+ myotubes maintain full Ca2+ stores whereas STIM-1−/− myotubes fail to refill SR Ca2+ stores following chronic stimulations [. Interestingly, we showed that denervated RANKmko EDL muscles have a markedly higher STIM-1 content. Since the increase in [CaT] and the decrease in SERCA activity in denervated RANKmko EDL muscles are somewhat irreconcilable, we proposed that STIM-1 and Orai-1 compensate for the lack of SERCA activity, refilling SR Ca2+ stores in the absence of muscle RANK.

RANKL/RANK interactions and intracellular signaling networks in bone and skeletal muscle

In bone, RANKL/RANK interactions activate TRAF-6, which then induces the activation of downstream signaling molecules and [Ca2+]i oscillations [. SERCA is essential for [Ca2+]i oscillations and plays a critical role in osteoclastogenesis [. It has recently been reported that SERCA-2a heterozygote mice (SERCA2a+/−) present defects in osteoclast differentiation and the suppression of RANKL-induced Ca2+ oscillations [. Tmem64, a positive modulator of osteoclast differentiation, regulates RANKL-induced Ca2+ signaling via SERCA2a [. In addition to SERCA, Ca2+ oscillations may partly derive from extracellular Ca2+. Gadolinium, a specific SOCE blocker, abolishes RANKL-induced Ca2+ oscillations [ while the knockdown of STIM-1 significantly reduces the frequency of RANKL-induced Ca2+ oscillations, indicating that SOCE and RANK communicate. TRP channels are also candidates for the Ca2+ influx involved in RANKL-induced Ca2+ oscillations [. Chamoux et al. (2010) showed that RANKL induces a significant increase in [Ca2+]i from outside, presumably through the TRPV-5 Ca2+ channel. While an elaborate approach has been proposed to elucidate how RANKL/RANK induces Ca2+ oscillations in bone cells, the importance of this pathway in skeletal muscle is extremely limited. Our work reported in the American Journal of Physiology (Cell Physiology) was, to our knowledge, the first attempt to assign a regulatory role for RANKL/RANK interactions on SERCA activity in bone and muscle cells [. The identification of downstream effectors of muscle RANK will be an important step in determining precisely how the RANKL/RANK interaction modulates SERCA activity. Bioinformatic approaches may eventually be required to improve our understanding of the cell signaling network and to determine how the RANKL/RANK interaction regulates SERCA activity and possibly other Ca2+ channels in skeletal muscles.

Future directions and perspectives

We convincingly show in another publication in the American Journal of Pathology (2015) [ that OPG-Fc (OPG fused to immunoglobulin Fc) completely restores the function of dystrophic EDL muscles and significantly improves the function of Sol and diaphragm muscles. OPG treatments also provide significant protection against eccentric-contraction-induced muscle damage. As observed with OPG-treated dystrophic mice, muscle RANK deletion preferentially protects fast-twitch fibers. It is important to note that fast-twitch fibers are essential for brief and powerful contractions. They are predominantly affected directly or indirectly in aging and in several forms of muscle disease and chronic illness, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, renal failure, chronic heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Our results clearly show that the role of the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway extends well beyond bone remodeling and osteoporosis and that skeletal muscles and other tissues may share the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway as a common denominator.