Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
06:37
Immunolabelling Myofiber Degeneration in Muscle Biopsies
Published on: December 5, 2019
Cell Death in Skeletal Muscle Diseases: Diverse Roles and Pathological Processes
Ya-Lan Yang1,2,3,4, Liang Guo1,2,3,4
1Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China.
Cells
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Cell death pathways are central to skeletal muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia. Targeting these cell death mechanisms offers new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for muscle disorders.
Area of Science:
- Muscle physiology and pathology
- Cellular biology
- Biomedical research
Background:
- Skeletal muscle is crucial for movement and metabolism.
- Dysfunction leads to debilitating conditions like muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia.
- Cell death pathways are key drivers of muscle fiber loss and inflammation in these diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of cell death in skeletal muscle diseases.
- To analyze cell death mechanisms in various genetic and acquired muscle disorders.
- To explore cell death biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improved diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cell death in skeletal muscle disorders.
- Analysis of mechanisms in genetic muscle diseases (e.g., Duchenne muscular dystrophy, glycogen storage diseases, mitochondrial myopathies).
- Examination of cell death in acquired conditions (e.g., sarcopenia, myasthenia gravis).
Main Results:
- Cell death pathways are pivotal in the pathology of numerous skeletal muscle diseases.
- Specific cell death mechanisms contribute to fiber loss and inflammation.
- Cell death-related molecules show potential as diagnostic biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Understanding cell death is critical for skeletal muscle disease research.
- Targeting cell death pathways presents promising therapeutic avenues.
- Further research can enhance diagnosis and treatment strategies for muscle disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
01:21Satellite Stem Cells and Muscular Dystrophy
Satellite stem cells or myosatellite cells are quiescent stem cells that Alexander Mauro first identified in 1961. These cells are located between the sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of muscle fibers, and the basal lamina, the connective tissue sheath covering it. These mononucleated cells are activated in response to muscle injury, can transform into myoblasts, and may form or repair muscle fibers. Myosatellite cells can provide additional myonuclei for muscle regeneration or return to a...
01:26Cross-bridge Cycle
As muscle contracts, the overlap between the thin and thick filaments increases, decreasing the length of the sarcomere—the contractile unit of the muscle—using energy in the form of ATP. At the molecular level, this is a cyclic, multistep process that involves binding and hydrolysis of ATP, and movement of actin by myosin.
01:16Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
01:11Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death
Cell death is the irreversible loss of cellular structure and function, representing the final stage of severe injury. It plays a key role in both normal physiology and disease.Types of Cell DeathThe two main types are necrosis and apoptosis, though others like necroptosis and pyroptosis also exist.Necrosis:Necrosis is an unregulated form of cell death caused by severe injury such as trauma, toxins, or ischemia. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane loss, rupture, and leakage of...