Regulation of mitochondrial morphology and cristae architecture by the TLR4 pathway in human skeletal muscle

In skeletal muscle (SkM), a reduced mitochondrial elongate phenotype is associated with several metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the mechanisms contributing to this reduction in mitochondrial elongate phenotype in SkM have not been fully elucidated. It has recently been shown in a SkM cell line that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) contributes to the regulation of mitochondrial morphology. However, this has not been investigated in human SkM. Here we found that in human SkM biopsies, TLR4 protein correlated negatively with Opa1 (pro-mitochondrial fusion protein). Moreover, the incubation of human myotubes with LPS reduced mitochondrial size and elongation and induced abnormal mitochondrial cristae, which was prevented with the co-incubation of LPS with TAK(242). Finally, T2DM myotubes were found to have reduced mitochondrial elongation and mitochondrial cristae density. Mitochondrial morphology, membrane structure, and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake were restored to healthy levels in T2DM myotubes treated with TAK(242). In conclusion, mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial cristae seem to be regulated by the TLR4 pathway in human SkM. Those mitochondrial alterations might potentially contribute to insulin resistance in the SkM of patients with T2DM.