Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Multivesicular body and exosome pathway responses to acute exercise
Ron T Garner1,2, Jessica S Solfest1,3, Yaohui Nie1
1Department of Health and Kinesiology and Max E. Wastl Human Performance Laboratory, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Acute exercise, particularly combined aerobic and resistance training, enhances skeletal muscle multivesicular body (MVB) formation and microRNA processing. This finding advances understanding of cellular communication pathways for potential therapeutic development.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Skeletal Muscle Biology
Background:
- Skeletal muscle communicates via myokines and extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes (EXOs).
- The regulation of multivesicular body (MVB) biogenesis and EXO release in skeletal muscle by exercise is not well understood.
- MVBs package microRNAs (miRNAs), which are crucial for gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of acute aerobic exercise (AEx) and concurrent aerobic + resistance exercise (A+REx) on MVB biogenesis in human skeletal muscle.
- To examine the effects of acute exercise on miRNA processing pathways within skeletal muscle.
- To compare the responses to AEx versus A+REx.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy, sedentary males underwent a 45-minute cycling exercise (AEx) followed by single-leg resistance exercise (A+REx).
- Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were collected at rest and 1 hour post-exercise.
- Gene expression analysis was performed for key proteins involved in MVB biogenesis, EXO pathways, and miRNA processing (e.g., Clathrin, Alix, DICER, exportin).
Main Results:
- Concurrent exercise (A+REx) increased mRNA expression for Clathrin and Alix, key for MVB biogenesis.
- Both AEx and A+REx elevated mRNA levels of DICER and exportin, crucial for miRNA processing.
- Positive correlations were observed between MVB components and miRNA processing genes, indicating coordinated regulation.
Conclusions:
- Acute exercise, especially concurrent training, upregulates components of skeletal muscle MVB and EXO pathways.
- Exercise stimulates miRNA processing machinery in skeletal muscle.
- Understanding these pathways may offer targets for novel therapeutic strategies focused on intercellular communication.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Overview of Exosomes
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...

