Myostatin DNA vaccine increases skeletal muscle mass and endurance in mice.

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Muscle Nerve. 2007 Jun 22

Myostatin DNA vaccine increases skeletal muscle mass and endurance

in mice.

Tang L, Yan Z, Wan Y, Han W, Zhang Y.

Biotechnology Center, Fourth Military Medical University, 17 Changle

West Road, 710032 Xi'an, China.

Myostatin is a transforming growth factor-beta family member that

acts as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth. In mice,

genetic disruption of the myostatin gene leads to a marked increase

in body weight and muscle mass. Similarly, pharmacological

interference with myostatin in vivo in mdx knockout mice results in

a functional improvement of the dystrophic phenotype.

Consequently, myostatin is an important therapeutic target for

treatment of diseases associated with muscle wasting.

To construct a therapeutic DNA vaccine against myostatin, we coupled

the foreign, immunodominant T-helper epitope of tetanus toxin to the

N terminus of myostatin, and BALB/c mice were immunized with the

recombinant vector. Sera from vaccinated mice showed the presence of

specific antibodies against the recombinant protein.

In addition, body weight, muscle mass, and grip endurance of

vaccinated mice were significantly increased.

Our study provides a novel, pharmacological strategy for treatment

of diseases associated with muscle wasting.