UCSF

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are among the most common injuries seen in orthopedic patients. Chronic tears can result in the development of muscular atrophy and fatty infiltration. Despite the prevalence of RCTs, little is known about the underlying molecular pathways that produce these changes. Recently, we have shown that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling plays an important role in muscle atrophy that results from massive RCTs in a rat model. The purpose of this study was therefore to extend our understanding of mTOR signaling and evaluate its role in fatty infiltration after a combined tendon transection and suprascapular nerve denervation surgery. Akt/mTOR signaling was significantly increased and resulted in the up-regulation of two transcription factors: SREBP-1 and PPARγ. We also saw an increase in expression of adipogenic markers: C/EBP-α and FASN. Upon treatment with rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTOR, we observed a decrease in mTOR signaling, activity of transcription factors, and reduction in fatty infiltration. Therefore, our study suggests that mTOR signaling mediates rotator cuff fatty infiltration via SREBP-1 and PPARγ. Clinically, our finding may alter current treatment methods to address rotator cuff fatty infiltration.