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Updated: May 29, 2025

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions
Published on: August 14, 2021
Skeletal muscle innervation: Reactive oxygen species as regulators of neuromuscular junction dynamics and motor unit
Steve D Guzman1, Susan V Brooks1
1Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract:
This review explores the intricate processes of motor unit remodeling with a specific focus on the influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress on the primary cellular components: nerves/axons, muscle fibers, and muscle-resident glial cells. Emphasizing the role of redox biology, we highlight how oxidative stress impacts motor unit adaptation, injury response, and aging. By synthesizing findings from recent studies with seminal works, including investigations of myelin and terminal Schwann cells and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) dynamics, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning motor unit maintenance and repair. The goal is to elucidate how oxidative stress influences these processes and to explore potential therapeutic strategies for neuromuscular disorders.
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