Overactive PDGFRα and PDGFRβ promote distinct phenotypes of skeletal muscle fibrosis and stiffness, with PDGFRβ also driving muscle growth
This study demonstrates that overactive PDGFRα and PDGFRβ signaling drive distinct and sex-specific skeletal muscle remodeling phenotypes. Overactive PDGFRα induces robust fibrosis characterized by increased insoluble and cross-linked collagen, elevated LOX and AGE levels, and marked muscle stiffness. Thus, establishing a new model to study skeletal muscle fibrosis. Overactive PDGFRβ unexpectedly promoted skeletal muscle hypertrophy and reduced fat mass with minimal fibrosis, revealing a previously unrecognized role in regulating muscle growth in vivo.
Authors
- Jordan D. Fuqua (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4437-0834)
- Mariola Gimła (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3576-7570)
- Lorin E. Olson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2168-7836)
- Benjamin F. Miller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3283-0685)
- Longbiao Yao
- Christiana J. Raymond‐Pope (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3930-5904)
- Hae Ryong Kwon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0428-3971)
- JL Brown
- Frederick F. Peelor
- Szczepan Olszewski
- Sandra Rigsby
Institutions
- Florida State University (US)
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (US)
- Oklahoma City VA Medical Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology
- Published
- 2026-04-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00035.2026
- Primary Topic
- Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development, VA Office of Research and Development
- National Institute on Aging
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases