NF-κB Signaling Pathway and Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Abstract: Skeletal muscle atrophy occurs as a serious sydrome of a wide range of diseases and physiological conditions such as disuse， aging and various chronic diseases. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway consists of NF-κB， IκB and IKK. Emerging evidence suggests that activation of NF-κB in skeletal muscle may contribute to the degradation of specific muscle proteins， induce inflammation， and block the regeneration of myofibers after injury/atrophy， eventually leading to muscle atrophy. Transcriptional targets of NF-κB transpcription factor include MuRF1， YY1， MMP-9， etc. Moreover， NF-κB signaling may relulate the expression level of MyoD by post-transcriptional mechanisms. Recent studies using genetic mouse models have provided strong evidence that NF-κB could serve as an important molecular target for the prevention of skeletal muscle loss. In this review， the current understanding regarding the role of NF-κB in different models of muscle atrophy and the development of novel therapy will be discussed.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2011.08.0016