Research on exercise has found that muscles secrete hormones and extracellular vesicles, tiny packages that carry molecules between cells, containing small fragments of RNA that enhance connection, signal transmission and communication between brain cells. However, while much attention has been paid to the function of muscle-derived factors, the role of the nerves that stimulate the muscle is poorly understood, said graduate student Kai-Yu Huang, the first author of the study. 

To fill this gap, the researchers compared two muscle tissue models — one with neuron innervation and one without. They found that the innervated muscle produced more molecules that promote brain neuron activity and regulate muscle development than the muscle without nerves.

Then, the researchers stimulated the nerves with glutamate, a neurotransmitter. They found that the innervated muscle had greater expression of a gene important for regulating secretion. Correspondingly, it emitted higher levels of the hormone irisin, which is associated with beneficial effects of exercise, and released more extracellular vesicles than plain muscle. 

“We analyzed the cargo carried in the vesicles, and we found that there was a greater diversity of microRNA associated with impact on neurodevelopment,” said Huang. “These findings highlight the importance of neuron innervation. As we get older, we lose nerve supply to muscle, and our muscles start to break down and lose function. And somehow, this can further result in organ dysfunction. So understanding how to regulate or maintain muscle’s secreting behavior is very important.”

Next, the researchers plan to look further into mechanisms at the junction where the neurons meet the muscle cells to determine how nerve impulses are stimulating the muscle and whether they affect the production of the brain-boosting factors or just their release, an important distinction for possible treatments for those who have lost nerves or muscle. They also hope to explore using their tissue model as a platform for effectively producing the factors. Ultimately, they hope to have a complete picture of the brain-nerve-muscle loop and how to maintain it.

“It’s our individual organs talking to each other: The brain tells the nerves to stimulate the muscle, and the muscle releases back molecules beneficial for brain function,” Kong said. ”It underscores the importance of exercise. Exercise creates a more robust interface between motor neurons and muscle, and now we know the nerves sending the signal into the muscle releases the molecules and extracellular vesicles that are beneficial to the brain. So we could look at the benefits of exercise focused on fostering that connection more than simply increasing the volume or strength of the muscle.” 

The National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer’s Disease Association and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago supported this work. Illinois faculty who co-authored the study include materials science and engineering professor Mattia Gazzola (M-CELS), cell and developmental biology professor Martha Gillette (GNDP/M-CELS), electrical and computer engineering professor Gabriel Popescu (published posthumously), molecular and integrative physiology processor Hee Jung Chung (M-CELS), bioengineering professor and dean of The Grainger College of Engineering Rashid Bashir (BSD/M-CELS), chemistry professor Jonathan Sweedler (BSD/CABBI/MMG) and materials science and engineering professor Qian Chen (M-CELS).Professor Sung Gap Im at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology also was a co-author.