Technical Details:
Muscle mass is normally regulated by the activities of members of the transforming growth factor-B (TGF-B) superfamily, which act to limit muscle growth. Scientists at JHU have now found a protein that is capable of binding certain members of the TGF-B family and inhibiting their activities in vitro. Therefore this protein has important applications for treating human muscle degenerative diseases as well as for enhancing livestock production.
Looking for Partners:
There are numerous human disease states in which muscle degeneration and wasting leads to morbidity and mortality. Agents capable of increasing muscle growth could improve clinical outcome in patients with these diseases. This discovery could also be used in an agricultural setting in order to enhance the muscle mass of livestock.
