Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro

Abstract Skeletal muscle injury often occurs after trauma or reconstructive surgery. However, full muscle regeneration is often not achieved because of fibrosis. A key pathway in fibrosis is transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) signaling. Many small molecules that inhibit the TGFß receptor are invest...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Louise De Saeytyd, Zhihao Wang, Marjon Bloemen, Johannes W. Von den Hoff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09381-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849400068172414976
author Louise De Saeytyd
Zhihao Wang
Marjon Bloemen
Johannes W. Von den Hoff
author_facet Louise De Saeytyd
Zhihao Wang
Marjon Bloemen
Johannes W. Von den Hoff
author_sort Louise De Saeytyd
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Skeletal muscle injury often occurs after trauma or reconstructive surgery. However, full muscle regeneration is often not achieved because of fibrosis. A key pathway in fibrosis is transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) signaling. Many small molecules that inhibit the TGFß receptor are investigated for their anti-fibrotic activity. However, their effects on myofiber formation are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of five transforming growth factor-beta receptor I (TGFßRI) inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro; galunisertib, SM16, AZ12799734, SB431542 and IN1130. First, the toxicity of the inhibitors on C2C12 myoblasts was determined (0-100 µM) as well as their effects on proliferation. Next, the inhibitors (0–20µM) were added to C2C12 cell cultures to determine their effect on myotube formation. Immunofluorescence staining for myosin heavy chain was used to identify myotubes. Data analysis and statistics were performed with Graphpad Prism software. In contrast to galunisertib, AZ12799734 and SB431542, SM16 and IN1130 had no toxic effects. Galunisertib and AZ12799734 were toxic from 10 µM on (p < 0.05) and SB431542 only at 100 µM (p < 0.05). All inhibitors reduced proliferation already at 1 mM. SM16 and IN1130 reduced the fusion index at 1 µM and higher (p < 0.05). SB431542 reduced the fusion index at 5 µM and higher (p < 0.05), and AZ12799734 at 10 µM (p < 0.05) and higher. Only galunisertib had no effect on the fusion index. These results show that galunisertib does not impair the formation of myotubes from C2C12 myoblasts and might be suitable as an anti-fibrotic therapy for muscle regeneration.
format Article
id doaj-art-7b9e0bff7e594ed4ad0fccabcbf79601
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-7b9e0bff7e594ed4ad0fccabcbf796012025-08-20T03:38:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-09381-5Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitroLouise De Saeytyd0Zhihao Wang1Marjon Bloemen2Johannes W. Von den Hoff3Department of Dentistry, Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical CentreDepartment of Dentistry, Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical CentreDepartment of Dentistry, Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical CentreDepartment of Dentistry, Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical CentreAbstract Skeletal muscle injury often occurs after trauma or reconstructive surgery. However, full muscle regeneration is often not achieved because of fibrosis. A key pathway in fibrosis is transforming growth factor ß (TGFß) signaling. Many small molecules that inhibit the TGFß receptor are investigated for their anti-fibrotic activity. However, their effects on myofiber formation are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of five transforming growth factor-beta receptor I (TGFßRI) inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro; galunisertib, SM16, AZ12799734, SB431542 and IN1130. First, the toxicity of the inhibitors on C2C12 myoblasts was determined (0-100 µM) as well as their effects on proliferation. Next, the inhibitors (0–20µM) were added to C2C12 cell cultures to determine their effect on myotube formation. Immunofluorescence staining for myosin heavy chain was used to identify myotubes. Data analysis and statistics were performed with Graphpad Prism software. In contrast to galunisertib, AZ12799734 and SB431542, SM16 and IN1130 had no toxic effects. Galunisertib and AZ12799734 were toxic from 10 µM on (p < 0.05) and SB431542 only at 100 µM (p < 0.05). All inhibitors reduced proliferation already at 1 mM. SM16 and IN1130 reduced the fusion index at 1 µM and higher (p < 0.05). SB431542 reduced the fusion index at 5 µM and higher (p < 0.05), and AZ12799734 at 10 µM (p < 0.05) and higher. Only galunisertib had no effect on the fusion index. These results show that galunisertib does not impair the formation of myotubes from C2C12 myoblasts and might be suitable as an anti-fibrotic therapy for muscle regeneration.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09381-5Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)Small molecule inhibitorGalunisertibMyotubeALK5 inhibitorsMyoblast
spellingShingle Louise De Saeytyd
Zhihao Wang
Marjon Bloemen
Johannes W. Von den Hoff
Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro
Scientific Reports
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)
Small molecule inhibitor
Galunisertib
Myotube
ALK5 inhibitors
Myoblast
title Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro
title_full Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro
title_fullStr Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro
title_full_unstemmed Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro
title_short Effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor I inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro
title_sort effect of transforming growth factor beta receptor i inhibitors on myotube formation in vitro
topic Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)
Small molecule inhibitor
Galunisertib
Myotube
ALK5 inhibitors
Myoblast
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09381-5
work_keys_str_mv AT louisedesaeytyd effectoftransforminggrowthfactorbetareceptoriinhibitorsonmyotubeformationinvitro
AT zhihaowang effectoftransforminggrowthfactorbetareceptoriinhibitorsonmyotubeformationinvitro
AT marjonbloemen effectoftransforminggrowthfactorbetareceptoriinhibitorsonmyotubeformationinvitro
AT johanneswvondenhoff effectoftransforminggrowthfactorbetareceptoriinhibitorsonmyotubeformationinvitro