Sex Differences in Skeletal Muscle Endothelial Cells

The proper functioning of endothelial cells (ECs) is often impaired during obesity-related disorders. Our lab’s previous data demonstrated sex differences in mitochondrial functioning and angiogenic capacity in adipose microvascular ECs. The goal of this study was to identify potential sex differences in lipid handling and metabolic capacities of skeletal muscle ECs. To achieve this, ECs were isolated from hindlimb skeletal muscle of mice and treated in culture to mimic obesogenic-like conditions. I found higher proliferation and lipid storage in female ECs in control conditions. In control and obesogenic-like conditions, females expressed higher levels of lipid handling genes, while males displayed greater Hk2 expression. Obesogenic-like conditions resulted in increased expression of Pfkfb3 in females, and decreased insulin sensitivity in male ECs only. These data provide evidence of sex-related differences in skeletal muscle ECs which can help to identify how their response to altered nutrient environment may in turn affect tissue health.