Increasing lean muscle mass in mice via nanoparticle-mediated hepatic delivery of follistatin mRNA.

ABSTRACT: Muscle atrophy occurs during chronic diseases, resulting in diminished quality of life and compromised treatment outcomes. There is a high demand for therapeutics that increase muscle mass while abrogating the need for special dietary and exercise requirements. Therefore, we developed an efficient nanomedicine approach capable of increasing muscle mass. Methods: The therapy is based on nanoparticle-mediated delivery of follistatin messenger RNA (mRNA) to the liver after subcutaneous administration. The delivered mRNA directs hepatic cellular machinery to produce follistatin, a glycoprotein that increases lean mass through inhibition of negative regulators of muscle mass (myostatin and activin A). These factors are elevated in numerous disease states, thereby providing a target for therapeu

SUBMITTER: Schumann C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6276093 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature