Myostatin Inhibition Using ActRIIB-mFc Does Not Produce Weight Gain or Strength in the Nebulin Conditional KO Mouse

J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2019 Feb 1;78(2):130-139. doi: 10.1093/jnen/nly120.

Abstract

Mutations in at least 12 genes are responsible for a group of congenital skeletal muscle diseases known as nemaline myopathies (NMs). NMs are associated with a range of clinical symptoms and pathological changes often including the presence of cytoplasmic rod-like structures (nemaline bodies) and myofiber hypotrophy. Our recent work has identified a variable degree of behavioral benefit when treating 2 NM mouse models due to mutations in Acta1 with myostatin inhibition. This study is focused on the effects of delivering ActRIIB-mFc (Acceleron; a myostatin inhibitor) to the nebulin conditional knockout KO (Neb cKO) mouse model of NM. Treatment of Neb cKO mice with ActRIIB-mFc did not produce increases in weight gain, strength, myofiber size, or hypertrophic pathway signaling. Overall, our studies demonstrate a lack of response in Neb cKO mice to myostatin inhibition, which differs from the response observed when treating other NM models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activin Receptors, Type II / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle Proteins / deficiency
  • Muscle Strength / drug effects*
  • Muscle Weakness / genetics
  • Myopathies, Nemaline*
  • Myostatin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects*

Substances

  • Mstn protein, mouse
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Myostatin
  • nebulin
  • Activin Receptors, Type II
  • activin receptor type II-B