Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling as a potential target to treat muscle wasting diseases.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

The review summarizes our current knowledge of the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling in skeletal muscle regeneration and the maintenance of muscle mass.

Recent findings

STAT3 signaling plays a pivotal role in regulating the function of multiple cell types in skeletal muscle. This includes muscle stem cells, myofibers, and macrophages. It regulates muscle stem cell function by antagonizing self-renewal. STAT3 also functions in myofibers to regulate skeletal muscle mass. This is highly relevant under pathological conditions where STAT3 activation promotes protein degradation and muscle atrophy. Transient pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 partially prevents muscle wasting. However, the mechanisms responsible for the

SUBMITTER: Sala D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4866604 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature