Skeletal Muscle Molecular Signalling in Various Models of Disuse and Unloading

Dear Colleagues,

In the 21st century, mankind is challenged by physical inactivity. In a fast progression through the 20th century, the use of cars, motorbikes, and other motorized vehicles has replaced walking and cycling for most human beings as the production in the fields and in the factories has become mainly reliant on the use of machines. This has reduced the fatiguing aspects of everyday life but at the same time has reshaped lifestyles to be more sedentary. In addition, several people experience a virtually complete motor inactivity due to locomotor restraints; limb and spinal injuries associated with sports, professional, and traffic accidents; long-duration marine and space missions; clinical bed rest. Complete or partial skeletal muscle disuse is the usual consequence of such inactivity.

Skeletal muscle disuse is followed by four basic events: muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass), muscle atonia (drop of muscle tone/stiffness), slow-to-fast myosin transition, and mitochondria remodeling. These events result in impaired posture and locomotion and dramatic decrease of physical performance. All these events are based upon altered intra- and intercellular skeletal muscle molecular signaling networks which have been under study for the last two decades. In spite of this wealth of studies, we cannot imagine an uncontroversial picture of muscle molecular remodeling under disuse conditions. Thus, it is mandatory to collect the present results and considerations. IJMS announces the Special Issue “Skeletal Muscle Molecular Signalling in Various Models of Disuse and Unloading.” The journal will accept research and review articles covering:

• Various forms of disuse (extreme sedentary life style, denervation, cast immobilization, spinal transection and isolation, bed rest, dry immersion, hindlimb unloading, space flight, tenotomy, confinement and others);
• Molecular intracellular and intercellular signaling pathways controlling proteostasis, regulation of gene expression (including myosin phenotype), adaptation of cytoskeletal proteins, changes in mitochondrial structure and function
• Postural, locomotor and other skeletal muscles
• Experimental studies with various animal species and humans
• Countermeasures preventing functional impairment

Prof. Dr. Boris S. Shenkman
Prof. Dr. Carlo Reggiani
Guest Editors

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