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Table 1 Comprehensive overview of studies using agents to blunt transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling

From: Role of TGF-β signaling in inherited and acquired myopathies

Compound

Mechanism of action

Clinical condition

Model organism

Phenotypic findings

Ref

FDA-approved medications

Losartan

AT1a receptor antagonist (mostly used for hypertension, cardiomyopathies)

MFSb

Fbn1C1039G/+ mice

Improved muscle architecture, function and regeneration

[54]

  

DMDc

mdx mice

Improved skeletal, diaphragmatic and cardiac muscle architecture, function and regeneration

[54, 55]

  

Muscle Injury

Younge mice

Decreased fibrosis and improved regeneration

[56]

Suramin

TGF-β1 receptor antagonist (anti-parasitic, anti-neoplasic)

DMD

mdx mice

Decreased fibrosis and prevented decrease in grip strength

[57]

Anti-fibrotic agents

Decorin

Binds to TGF-β1 ligands

Muscle injury

Young mice

Decreased fibrosis, improved regeneration and functional recovery

[61]

  

DMD

mdx mice

Decreased collagen type I levels in diaphragm

[62]

γ-Interferon

Induces Smad7 expression

Muscle injury

Young mice

Decreased fibrosis, improved regeneration and functional recovery

[63]

Pirfenidone

TGF-β1 antagonist

DMD

mdx mice

Improved cardiac function, minor alterations on the development of fibrosis, and no improvement in diaphragmatic function

[64, 65]

Halofuginone

Inhibits TGF-β-dependent phosphorylation of Smad3

DMD

mdx mice

Decreased fibrosis and improved function of the heart,diaphragm and limb muscles

[66, 67]

  

CMDd

dy 2J /dy 2J

Decreased fibrosis and improved functional performance but did not improve strength

[68]

TGF-β neutralizing antibody

Neutralizes TGF-β (1 and/or 2) ligands

MFS

Fbn1C1039G/+ mice

Prevented muscle atrophy and improved regeneration

[54]

  

DMD

mdx mice

Decreased fibrosis and improved regeneration

[54, 69]

  

Sarcopenia

Agedg mice

Failed to improve regeneration

[70]

TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor

Decoy receptor composed of extracellular portion of TGF-β receptor II

Sarcopenia

Aged mice

Improved regeneration after direct intramuscular injection

[70]

  1. aAngiotensin II type 1 receptor.
  2. bMarfan syndrome.
  3. cDuchenne muscular dystrophy.
  4. dCongenital muscular dystrophy.
  5. eAge ≤ 3 months.
  6. fAge 3-15 months.
  7. gAge ≥ 15 months.