title: The therapeutic potential of blocking the activin signalling pathway.
abstract: Members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family regulate fundamental physiological process, such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. As a result, defects in this pathway have been linked to uncontrolled proliferation and cancer progression. Here we explore the signal transduction mechanism of TGF-β focusing on therapeutic intervention in human diseases. Like TGF-β, another member of the TGF-β superfamily, activin has been proven to play an important role in maintenance of tissue homeostasis and dysregulation leads to disease. Several studies showed elevated levels of activin are responsible for the development of gonadal tumours and a cachexia-like weight loss syndrome. Discussing the recent advances in approaches developed to antagonise the activin pathway and the encouraging results obtained in animal models, this review presents a therapeutic rationale for targeting the activin pathway in conditions such as cachexia, neuromuscular and/or musculoskeletal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: marfr063@student.otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Francesco Elia
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Risbridger
authors.forename: Elspeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018309:Neoplasms, Gonadal Tissue / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D028341:Activins
keywords: Activin antagonism; Cancer associated cachexia; TGF-β; TGF-β antagonism