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New perspective for novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of several muscle diseases (2017-03-17)

Regeneration of skeletal muscle is a complex process that requires the activation of quiescent adult stem cells, called satellite cells, which are resident in hypoxic niches in the tissue.

Hypoxia has been recognized as a key factor to maintain stem cells in an undifferentiated state.

Herein researchers report that hypoxia plays a fundamental role also in activating myogenesis.

In particular, researchers found that the activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1a under hypoxia, in murine skeletal myoblasts, leads to activation of MyoD through the noncanonical Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Moreover, chemical inhibition of HIF-1a activity significantly reduces differentiation, thus confirming its crucial role in the process.

Furthermore, hypoxia-preconditioned myoblasts, once induced to differentiate under normoxic conditions, tend to form hypertrophic myotubes.

These results support the notion that hypoxia plays a pivotal role in activating the regeneration process by directly inducing myogenesis through HIF-1a.

Although preliminary, these findings may suggest new perspective for novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of several muscle diseases.

For more information
Activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1a promotes myogenesis through the noncanonical Wnt pathway, leading to hypertrophic myotubes
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Università degli studi di Milano
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MDN