New function of the myostatin/activin type I receptor (ALK4) as a mediator of muscle atrophy and muscle regeneration. Issue 1 (12th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pasteuning‐Vuhman, Svitlana; Boertje‐van der Meulen, Johanna W.; Putten, Maaike Van; Overzier, Maurice; ten Dijke, Peter; Kielbasa, Szymon M.; Arindrarto, Wibowo; Wolterbeek, Ron; Lezhnina, Ksenia V.; Ozerov, Ivan V.; Aliper, Aleksandr M.; Hoogaars, Willem M.; Aartsma‐Rus, Annemieke; Loomans, Cindy J. M.
• Is Part Of: FASEB journal. Volume 31:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 238
• Page End: 255
• Publication Date: 2016-10-12
• Subjects: Duchenne muscular dystrophy -- antisense oligonucleotides -- myostatin/activin pathway -- muscle metabolism -- muscle mass; Biology -- Periodicals; Biology, Experimental -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600675r
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6638

Abstract

Abstract : Skeletal muscle fibrosis and impaired muscle regeneration are major contributors to muscle wasting in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Muscle growth is negatively regulated by myostatin (MSTN) and activins. Blockage of these pathways may improve muscle quality and function in DMD. Antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) were designed specifically to block the function of ALK4, a key receptor for the MSTN/activin pathway in skeletal muscle. AON‐induced exon skipping resulted in specific Alk4 down‐regulation, inhibition of MSTN activity, and increased my oblast differentiation in vitro . Unexpectedly, amarked decrease in muscle mass (10%) was found after Alk4 AON treatment in mdx mice. In line with in vitro results, muscle regeneration was stimulated, and muscle fiber size decreased markedly. Notably, when Alk4 was down‐regulated in adult wild‐type mice, musclemass decreased evenmore. RNA seq analysis revealed dysregulated metabolic functions and signs of muscle atrophy. We conclude that ALK4 inhibition increases my ogenesis but also regulates the tight balance of protein synthesis and degradation. Therefore, caution must be used when developing therapies that interfere with MSTN/activin pathways.—Pasteuning‐Vuhman, S., Boertje‐van derMeulen, J. W., Van Putten, M., Overzier, M., ten Dijke, P., Kielbasa, S. M., Arindrarto, W., Wolterbeek, R., Lezhnina, K. V., Ozerov, I. V., Aliper, A. M., Hoogaars, W. M., Aartsma‐Rus, A., Loomans, C. J. M. New function of the myostatin/activin type I receptor (ALK4) as a mediator of muscle atrophy and muscle regeneration. FASEB J. 31, 238–255 (2017) www.fasebj.org