Role of Semaphorin3A in nerve regrowth in muscle repair

While satellite cell (SC) activation underpins muscle repair, function requires reinnervation of new myotubes. During early differentiation in repair, SC-derived myoblasts also upregulate expression of a neural chemorepellent, semaphorin3A (Sema3A), thought to mediate axonal ingrowth toward regenerating myotubes. Recent findings indicate that disrupted timing of Sema3A expression (by early SC activation) delays the time-course of in vivo reinnervation and loss of muscle-specific Sema3A expression disrupts reinnervation. We hypothesize that a muscle-specific Sema3A-knockout will also disrupt the timing of Schwann cell function and expression as neurites grow toward nerve-muscle junctions (NMJs) and form axon terminals on new fibers during muscle repair. This work will expand our knowledge of Schwann cell function in muscle development and functional restoration of nerve supply during muscle growth in development and repair. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Judy Anderson

Student:

Partner:

Kyushu University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: