As people age, they often experience a decline in muscle mass and strength, leading to weakness and atrophy. This is a growing concern, especially in aging societies like Japan, where people live longer but may suffer from reduced quality of life due to muscle deterioration.
In a significant breakthrough, researchers from Kyushu University have developed a new antibody that could help address this issue. The antibody targets a protein known as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which plays a crucial role in muscle development, repair, and regeneration. Their findings were recently published in the journal Aging Cell.
HGF is vital for muscle growth and recovery. When muscles are used or injured, a type of stem cell called satellite cells is activated to repair and form new muscle fibers. HGF is a key signal that prompts these satellite cells to start rebuilding muscle tissue. However, as people age, the effectiveness of HGF decreases due to a process called nitration. This process attaches nitrogen dioxide to the protein, rendering it less effective. Over time, this loss of function contributes to age-related muscle atrophy.
Professor Ryuichi Tatsumi, who led the study at Kyushu University’s Faculty of Agriculture, explained that nitration occurs when a nitrogen dioxide molecule attaches to certain parts of the HGF protein, specifically on the 198th and 250th tyrosine amino acids. “Our team discovered that this modification reduces the protein’s ability to function, and this effect worsens with age,” he said.
To combat this, Tatsumi and his team aimed to develop an antibody that would prevent HGF from undergoing nitration. Using rat cell cultures, they created and tested a series of antibodies designed to block nitration at the specific sites on the HGF protein.
After extensive testing, they identified two promising antibodies, 1H41C10 and 1H42F4N. Antibody 1H42F4N blocked nitration at the 198th tyrosine site, while 1H41C10 was found to block nitration at both critical sites. Importantly, these antibodies did not interfere with HGF’s ability to activate satellite cells and promote muscle repair.
The researchers are optimistic about the potential of these antibodies in treating age-related muscle atrophy and other conditions related to impaired muscle regeneration. They believe this discovery could lead to targeted therapies that help maintain muscle strength and improve the quality of life for aging populations.
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