Quorum sensing molecules as a novel microbial factor impacting muscle cells

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Cell Biology
• Physiology

Background:

• Skeletal muscle is crucial for overall health, and its wasting diminishes quality of life.
• Muscle wasting is common in diseases, but its pathophysiology is poorly understood, hindering targeted therapies.
• The gut microbiome's role in muscle wasting is suggested, yet specific mediators remain unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of quorum sensing molecules (QSM) on skeletal muscle cells.
• To identify potential mediators of the gut-muscle axis involved in muscle wasting.

Main Methods:

• Tested 75 quorum sensing molecules (QSM) on C2C12 muscle cells.
• Assessed cell viability, differentiation, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and protein degradation.
• Employed statistical methods including median absolute deviation, quartiles, and standardized mean differences.

Main Results:

• Thirty QSM demonstrated effects on C2C12 muscle cells.
• Peptide QSM were linked to Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, and Escherichia.
• Non-peptide QSM were produced by diverse Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

• Quorum sensing molecules (QSM) produced by the microbiota influence skeletal muscle cells.
• These findings provide the first evidence for QSM involvement in the gut-muscle axis.
• QSM represent potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for muscle wasting conditions.