Fig. 4: Effects of endothelial senescence on skeletal muscle tissue. | Cell Death & Disease

Fig. 4: Effects of endothelial senescence on skeletal muscle tissue.

From: Virus-induced endothelial senescence as a cause and driving factor for ME/CFS and long COVID: mediated by a dysfunctional immune system

Fig. 4

Uncoupling between perfusion requirements and blood flow, as well as basement membrane thickening impeding the diffusion barrier, are primary to molecular and cellular dysregulation at tissues. In theory, the resulting oxygenation deficit could lead to local hypoxia, as well as the accumulation of waste products upon exercise. Combined with immune impairments, this may result in further disruptions of the structural and functional integrity of skeletal muscle tissue. The senescent immune environment may additionally inhibit skeletal muscle regeneration upon injury, via elevated levels of ET-1 and PAI-1, impairing various steps of myogenesis. (Created with the paid version of Biorender.com).

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