The muscle spindle is invested by a capsule of continuous, multilayered perineural epithelium, creating a periaxial space around the intrafusal muscle fibres and their innervation. The ultrastructural permeability of the muscle spindle capsule was assessed in anterior tibialis muscles of adult mice after systemic injection of the exogenous protein tracer, horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After varying time intervals ranging from 2 to 240 minutes, anesthetized animals were systemically perfused with fixative. Muscles were then removed and processed by routine cytochemical methods in order to demonstrate the distribution of peroxidase activity. While bare capillaries were never encountered within the intracapsular periaxial space of the muscle spindle, they frequently and intimately abut against its outer perineural capsule. Two minutes after injection of HRP, reaction product was localized in capillary endothelial plasmalemmal vesicles, just prior to its accumulation in the tissue space immediately surrounding the subjacent capsular perineurium in the equatorial region. In the polar region of the muscle spindle capsule, however, there was evidence of reaction product in the periaxial space at the same two minute time period. Ten minutes after administration of the tracer, a small population of perineural vesicles contained HRP. At the 12.5 minute interval, the sarcolemmae and T-tubules of polar intrafusal muscle fibres were subsequently labelled. Equatorial (sensory) regions of muscle spindles appeared to be relatively less permeable to the entrance of the tracer than more distal polar regions. By 15 minutes post-injection, HRP was seen traversing the perineural capsule in equatorial zones; and by 30 minutes, perineural and Schwann cell phagocytosis of the exogenous protein was extensive. / Medicine, Faculty of / Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Department of / Graduate

In the field of spinal-cord neurophysiology, the nature of and the rules which govern the strength of functional connections between muscle afferents and motoneurons supplying the same muscle are important to delineate. This study addressed a facet of this issue by testing the possibility that the strength of the spindle Ia-motoneuronal connections is stronger (as demonstrated by the differing amplitudes of the mean maximum composite Ia EPSPs) if both neurons supply the same sub-volume of the muscle, providing the various sub-volumes of the muscle are capable of independent action. Intracellular recordings were made of the Ia EPSP responses of semimembranosus (SM) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) motoneurons in anesthetized low-spinal cats to electrical stimulation (Group I range) of nerve branches supplying different parts of the homonymous muscle, as well as different heteronymous muscles. For study of SM motoneurons, stimulated nerve branches included those supplying the anterior (SMa) and posterior (SMp) heads of the SM muscle and three providing heteronymous input from the anterior (BFa) and posterior (BFp) parts of biceps femoris and the distal part of the semitendinosus (STd) muscle. Ia EPSPs were partitioned such that stimulation of the SMa nerve branch produced significantly larger EPSPs in SMa motoneurons than in SMp cells; likewise, stimulation of the SMp nerve branch produced larger EPSPs in SMp motoneurons than in SMa cells. Study of the differences in the strength of heteronymous Ia input (i.e., from BFa, BFp and STd) between the SMa and SMp cell groups correlates with the different actions reported previously for the two heads of the SM muscle. For study of LG motoneurons, the stimulated nerve branches were those supplying the four neuromuscular compartments of the LG muscle (LG1, LG2, LG3 and LGm) and the nerve to a heteronymous muscle, soleus (SOL). In all five instances, partitioned Ia effects were evident. An association is suggested between the present results and previous electromyographic studies. The previous studies have shown that the muscle heads (SM) or neuromuscular compartments (LG) under consideration in this study are capable of somewhat separate actions. The present study also included assessment of the relative extent to which the partitioned Ia effects could be attributed, in part, to one or two developmental factors, topographic specificity and species specificity. The analysis suggested that both factors were potentially implicated, with species specificity somewhat predominant over topographic specificity.

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Göteborg, 1979, and five supporting articles. / "Translation and revision of English text by John Gulliver." At head of title: Dept. of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, University of Göteborg, Sweden. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Exercise Sciences, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Göteborg, 1979, and five supporting articles. / "Translation and revision of English text by John Gulliver." At head of title: Dept. of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, University of Göteborg, Sweden. Includes bibliographical references.

Hypertension affects 1 billion individuals worldwide and is the major contributing factor to cardiovascular disease. However, the WHO considers current antihypertensive drug therapies inadequate, highlighting a need for a novel approach to hypertension management. Baroreceptors are a promising drug target, and express an unusual glutamate receptor coupled to phospholipase D (PLD-GluR). The PLD-GluR has not been isolated and characterised, which is an important step towards its use as a drug target. A good source of the PLD-GluR is muscle spindle primary afferent nerve terminals, the largest mechanoreceptor in the body. This study thus focuses upon the identification and progress towards isolation of the PLD-GluR from muscle spindle primary afferent nerve terminals. A novel dissection method for high yield extraction of muscle spindles from a high density source, the rat deep masseter muscle, was developed for Western blotting and mass spectrometry screens of all GluRs. Western blots showed spindle homogenate contained a low molecular weight mGluR5 isoform and GluK2. Immunofluorescence showed mGluR5 was expressed on putative nociceptors, not mechanosensory nerve terminals. However, spindle mechanosensory nerve terminals labelled brightly for GluK2, as did baroreceptor nerve terminals. Furthermore, GluK2 appears to be the only GluR subunit on these mechanoreceptors, although mass spectrometry and affinity chromatography could not successfully isolate this receptor. Finally, piezo2 has recently been suggested as the major mechanotransducer protein. However, no evidence was found for piezo2 expression in adult spindle mechanosensory nerve terminals in adult rats or mice. As previous studies have largely focussed on adolescent mice, this could represent a developmental difference. Conversely, a number of candidate mechanosensory proteins, such as TRPs, were identified by a targeted mass spectrometry approach. This provides good candidates for future research. Collectively, this study indicates both spindle and baroreceptor mechanosensory nerve terminals express GluK2, suggesting it is at least a component of the PLD-GluR, and therefore potentially represents a novel drug target for treating hypertension.

The tenuissimus is a long, thin hindlimb skeletal muscle which in hamsters contains about 200 extrafusal muscle fibers. Embedded in this richly innervated muscle is a continuous array of 16-20 closely packed muscle spindles suggesting that it may play a role in hindlimb proprioception. This high spindle density also makes the muscle ideal for the isolation and harvesting of these sensory receptors. In this correlative light and electron microscopic study, freshly frozen specimens were first prepared for serial microscopic analysis. Camera lucida reconstruction of spindle distribution showed a close proximity to the main artery and nerve in the central core of the muscle. Oxidative enzyme and myosin ATPase staining profiles were examined in both the intrafusal and extrafusal fiber populations. Type I and type II extrafusal fibers were present in even numbers and were distributed evenly throughout muscle cross-sections. Enzyme staining varied along the lengths of the three intrafusal fiber types. The fine structure of spindles was examined using transmission (TEM), conventional scanning (SEM), and high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). For conventional SEM, isolated spindles were first fixed in 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde, followed by 1% osmication, and mechanical disruption of the outer capsule under the dissecting microscope. Preparation for HRSEM included aldehyde/osmium fixation and freeze-cleavage of entire tenuissimus muscles in liquid N₂. Selective extraction of the cytosol with 0.1% OsO4 permitted the visualization of numerous intracellular structures. In these specimens, the capsular sleeve showed a multilayered pattern of vesicle-laden cells with variant surface topography in certain locations. Punctate sensory nerve endings adhered intimately to the surfaces of underlying intrafusal fibers in the equatorial and juxtaequatorial regions. By TEM and HRSEM these endings appeared crescent-shaped and were enveloped by external laminae. Each profile contained a plethora of mitochondria and cytoskeletal organelles. The methodology used in this study provides, for the first time, a three-dimensional view of the exquisite cytological architecture of this neuromuscular receptor. / Medicine, Faculty of / Graduate

O músculo estriado esquelético apresenta em sua constituição células satélites (CS) que se encontram em estado quiescente localizadas entre o sarcolema e a lâmina basal das fibras musculares. As CS podem ser ativadas, diferenciando em mioblastos, contribuindo para regeneração e/ou crescimento do tecido muscular. Os Fusos neuromusculares são mecanorreceptores localizados no interior dos músculos esqueléticos considerados a unidade contrátil reguladora, monitorando a velocidade e duração do alongamento do músculo. Está composto de fibras intrafusais (FIF), circundadas por uma bainha de tecido conjuntivo e encontra-se paralelo às fibras extrafusais. A desnervação promove alterações no músculo esquelético, tanto em CS, quanto nos fusos neuromusculares. Este trabalho analisou quantitativamente as FIF e a proliferação de CS em músculos esquelético de ratos desnervados por longo período. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar. Os animais foram divididos em grupos desnervados e controle. Os músculos Sóleo e Extensor longo dos dedos (EDL) foram desnervados experimentalmente. Após os períodos de 0, 12, 16, 19, 30 e 38 semanas, os músculos foram dissecados, removidos e preparados histológicamente. A porcentagem de CS em músculos imediatamente após desnervação aumenta em relação ao músculo normal e depois decresce em ambos os músculos. Durante o progresso do tempo de desnervação ocorreu um aumento no número de FIF, se comparado com o grupo normal. O número de CS diminui significantemente entre os períodos de desnervação, em ambos os grupos. Nos músculos estudados quanto menor a porcentagem de CS maior é o número de FIF e, aumentando o tempo de desnervação, diminui o número de CS. Em relação às FIF, no grupo controle com o aumento do tempo, o número de fibras não se altera. Já para o grupo experimental, com o aumento do tempo de desnervação, diminui o número de CS e aumenta o número de FIF significantemente. Concluimos então que nos músculos desnervados por longo período ocorre diminuição na porcentagem de células satélites e aumento no número de FIF. Finalmente nossos resultados sugerem que entre 16ª e 19ª semana pós-desnervação encontra-se o melhor período para reinervação de um músculo desnervados. / The skeletal muscle consists of satellite cells (SC) which are in a quiescent state located between the sarcolemma and basal lamina of the muscle fibers. The SC can get activated, differentiating into myoblasts, contributing to regeneration and/or growth of muscle tissue. The neuromuscular spindles are mechanoreceptors located within the skeletal muscle and are considered as contractile regulatory unit, monitoring the speed and duration of muscle stretching. It is composed of Intrafusal muscle fibers (FIF), surrounded by a sheath and is parallel to extrafusal fibers. Denervation cause changes in skeletal muscles both in the CS and neuromuscular spindles. This study analyzed quantitatively the FIF and the proliferation of CS in rat skeletal muscle, denervated for long period. We used Wistar rats to perform this study. The animals were divided into control and denervated groups. The soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were denervated experimentally. After periods of 0, 12, 16, 19, 30 and 38 weeks, the muscles were dissected, removed and were prepared for histological analysis. The percentage of SC in muscles immediately after denervation, increases in relation to normal muscle and later decreases in both the groups. During the process of denervation, there was an increase in FIF when compared with normal group. The number of SC reduces significantly between the periods of denervation in both the groups. In the muscles studied, the smaller the percentage of SC, higher is the number of FIF and increase in the duration of denervation, reduces the number of SC. As for FIF, with the increase in time in control group, the number of fibres was unaltered. However, in the experimental group, with increase in the time of denervation, the number of SC decreases while there is increase in the number of FIF significantly. We thus conclude that in denervated mucles for long period, there is decrease in the percentage of satellite cells and increase in FIF. Finally our results suggest that the period between 16th and 19th week of post denervation is the best time for reinnervation of denervated muscle.

O músculo estriado esquelético apresenta em sua constituição células satélites (CS) que se encontram em estado quiescente localizadas entre o sarcolema e a lâmina basal das fibras musculares. As CS podem ser ativadas, diferenciando em mioblastos, contribuindo para regeneração e/ou crescimento do tecido muscular. Os Fusos neuromusculares são mecanorreceptores localizados no interior dos músculos esqueléticos considerados a unidade contrátil reguladora, monitorando a velocidade e duração do alongamento do músculo. Está composto de fibras intrafusais (FIF), circundadas por uma bainha de tecido conjuntivo e encontra-se paralelo às fibras extrafusais. A desnervação promove alterações no músculo esquelético, tanto em CS, quanto nos fusos neuromusculares. Este trabalho analisou quantitativamente as FIF e a proliferação de CS em músculos esquelético de ratos desnervados por longo período. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar. Os animais foram divididos em grupos desnervados e controle. Os músculos Sóleo e Extensor longo dos dedos (EDL) foram desnervados experimentalmente. Após os períodos de 0, 12, 16, 19, 30 e 38 semanas, os músculos foram dissecados, removidos e preparados histológicamente. A porcentagem de CS em músculos imediatamente após desnervação aumenta em relação ao músculo normal e depois decresce em ambos os músculos. Durante o progresso do tempo de desnervação ocorreu um aumento no número de FIF, se comparado com o grupo normal. O número de CS diminui significantemente entre os períodos de desnervação, em ambos os grupos. Nos músculos estudados quanto menor a porcentagem de CS maior é o número de FIF e, aumentando o tempo de desnervação, diminui o número de CS. Em relação às FIF, no grupo controle com o aumento do tempo, o número de fibras não se altera. Já para o grupo experimental, com o aumento do tempo de desnervação, diminui o número de CS e aumenta o número de FIF significantemente. Concluimos então que nos músculos desnervados por longo período ocorre diminuição na porcentagem de células satélites e aumento no número de FIF. Finalmente nossos resultados sugerem que entre 16ª e 19ª semana pós-desnervação encontra-se o melhor período para reinervação de um músculo desnervados. / The skeletal muscle consists of satellite cells (SC) which are in a quiescent state located between the sarcolemma and basal lamina of the muscle fibers. The SC can get activated, differentiating into myoblasts, contributing to regeneration and/or growth of muscle tissue. The neuromuscular spindles are mechanoreceptors located within the skeletal muscle and are considered as contractile regulatory unit, monitoring the speed and duration of muscle stretching. It is composed of Intrafusal muscle fibers (FIF), surrounded by a sheath and is parallel to extrafusal fibers. Denervation cause changes in skeletal muscles both in the CS and neuromuscular spindles. This study analyzed quantitatively the FIF and the proliferation of CS in rat skeletal muscle, denervated for long period. We used Wistar rats to perform this study. The animals were divided into control and denervated groups. The soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were denervated experimentally. After periods of 0, 12, 16, 19, 30 and 38 weeks, the muscles were dissected, removed and were prepared for histological analysis. The percentage of SC in muscles immediately after denervation, increases in relation to normal muscle and later decreases in both the groups. During the process of denervation, there was an increase in FIF when compared with normal group. The number of SC reduces significantly between the periods of denervation in both the groups. In the muscles studied, the smaller the percentage of SC, higher is the number of FIF and increase in the duration of denervation, reduces the number of SC. As for FIF, with the increase in time in control group, the number of fibres was unaltered. However, in the experimental group, with increase in the time of denervation, the number of SC decreases while there is increase in the number of FIF significantly. We thus conclude that in denervated mucles for long period, there is decrease in the percentage of satellite cells and increase in FIF. Finally our results suggest that the period between 16th and 19th week of post denervation is the best time for reinnervation of denervated muscle.