Abstract
Introduction: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) and acquired brain injury (ABI) commonly develop muscle contractures with advancing age. An underlying growth defect contributing to skeletal muscle contracture formation in CP/ABI has been suggested. Methods: The biceps muscles of children and adolescents with CP/ABI (n = 20) and typically developing controls (n = 10) were investigated. We used immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting to assess gene expression relevant to growth and size homeostasis. Results: Classical pro-inflammatory cytokines and genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) production were elevated in skeletal muscle of children with CP/ABI. Intramuscular collagen content was increased and satellite cell number decreased and this was associated with reduced levels of RNA polymerase I transcription factors, 45s pre-rRNA and 28S rRNA. Discussion: The present study provides novel data suggesting a role for pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced ribosomal production in the development/maintenance of muscle contractures, possibly underlying stunted growth and perimysial ECM expansion. Muscle Nerve 58: 277–285, 2018.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 277-285 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2018 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physiology
- Clinical Neurology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Physiology (medical)