Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and muscle wasting: a cellular perspective.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a polypeptide cytokine that has been associated with muscle wasting and weakness in inflammatory disease. Despite its potential importance in muscle pathology, the direct effects of TNF-alpha on skeletal muscle have remained undefined until recently. Studies of cultured muscle cells indicate that TNF-alpha disrupts the differentiation process and can promote catabolism in mature cells. The latter response appears to be mediated by reactive oxygen species and nuclear factor-kappaB which upregulate ubiquitin/proteasome activity. This commentary outlines our current understanding of TNF-alpha effects on skeletal muscle and the mechanism of TNF-alpha action.
Reid
M B
MB
Pulmonary Section, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA. reid@bcm.tmc.edu
Li
Y P
YP
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000473:pathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D009124:Muscle Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha