Study Links Glutamine Pathway to Aged Muscle Stem Cells, Boosting Regeneration in Old Mice by 45%
Updated
Updated · Nature.com · May 14
Study Links Glutamine Pathway to Aged Muscle Stem Cells, Boosting Regeneration in Old Mice by 45%
2 articles · Updated · Nature.com · May 14
Nature Aging reported that aged muscle stem cells depend on glutamine-driven reductive TCA-cycle metabolism to activate and regenerate muscle, with the pathway feeding de novo lipogenesis needed for cell function.
Mouse experiments showed glutaminase is required both in vitro and in vivo: older muscle stem cells had weaker reductive glutamine flux, leaving them less able to build fatty-acid stores during activation.
The team used FACS-isolated cells, metabolomics and stable-isotope tracing to pinpoint IDH2-supported reductive glutamine metabolism as the mechanism linking glutamine use to lipid production and stem-cell performance.
In related Duke work, lipid-supplemented aged stem cells transplanted into injured old mice produced 45% larger new muscle fibers and improved leg function, suggesting a possible route to counter sarcopenia.
Instead of complex cell therapy, could a future drug safely boost muscle stem cells inside the body?
Could rebooting muscles with fatty acids inadvertently accelerate heart disease?