Lecture by Jorge L. Ruas

A guest lecture was given by Dr. Jorge L. Ruas, Professor at the Medical School of the University of Michigan, titled “Muscle-derived factors in the control of systemic bioenergetics: A role for the immune system?”. The talk focused on the role of skeletal muscle as a central regulator of systemic metabolism and on its interactions with other organs via secreted factors.

Jorge Ruas presented recent findings on PGC-1α-dependent myokines and their contribution to systemic bioenergetics. A central theme was the communication between skeletal muscle and the immune system, highlighting how muscle-derived signals influence immune cell function and metabolic homeostasis. The lecture further addressed the kynurenine pathway and its regulation by physical activity, demonstrating how the conversion of kynurenine into kynurenic acid in muscle can contribute to systemic metabolic effects. In addition, the role of extracellular vesicles as a mechanism for inter-organ communication was discussed, providing insight into how muscle-derived signals are transported and exert effects on distant tissues, including adipose tissue.

The presented work illustrated the complex interplay between muscle, metabolism, and immune regulation, emphasizing the importance of exercise-induced signaling pathways for systemic health. The lecture is particularly relevant to HyperMet, as Jorge Ruas is widely recognized as one of the leading researchers in myokines and muscle-derived signaling, offering important perspectives for ongoing research within the research group.

Die HyperMet-Forschung untersucht, wie Muskelwachstum (Hypertrophie) und Muskelabbau (Atrophie) den Stoffwechsel beeinflussen. Mehr Muskelmasse senkt das Risiko für Adipositas, Diabetes, Osteoporose und möglicherweise für Krebs. Wir erforschen die zugrunde liegenden Stoffwechselprozesse, um neue Strategien zur Prävention und im Alltag zu entwickeln.