Transcriptomic signatures of human single skeletal muscle fibers in response to high-intensity interval exercise
Thibaux Van der Stede, Alexia Van de Loock, Eline Lievens, Nurten Yigit, Jasper Anckaert, Ruud Van Thienen, Anneleen Weyns, Pieter Mestdagh, Jo Vandesompele, Wim Derave
Abstract
By development of a single-fiber transcriptomics technology, we assessed the transcriptional events in individual human skeletal muscle fibers upon high-intensity exercise. We demonstrate a large variability in transcriptional activation of fibers, with shared and distinct gene signatures for slow and fast fibers. The heterogeneous fiber-specific exercise response extends beyond this traditional slow/fast categorization. These findings expand on our understanding of exercise responses and uncover a profound between-fiber diversity in muscle fiber activation and transcriptional perturbations.