Hand2-Induced Preservation of Sympathetic Neurons Prevents Sarcopenia with Aging
We examined age-dependent expression of the heart and neural crest derivative 2(Hand2), a critical transcription factor for post mitotic maintenance of SNs, and tested the possibility that inducing its expression exclusively in SNs will significantly prevent (a) motor denervation, (b) impaired NMJ transmission, and (d) loss of muscle mass and function in old mice Overall design: 10 empty vector controls and 7 hand2 vector treated animals