Fibronectin-based scaffold domain proteins that bind myostatin: a patent evaluation of WO2014043344

Abstract

Muscular dystrophies (MD) are commonly characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function. It is hypothesized that therapeutic blockade of the TGF-β ligand myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle mass, will stimulate muscle growth and restore muscle function. Although many anti-myostatin targets are currently being pursued in the clinical setting, the efficacies of the tested molecules have shown mixed results. The patent WO2014043344 describes a novel approach for myostatin inhibition using a modified fibronectin type III domain that could potentially be used to treat MD and other muscle-related pathologies.

Keywords:

• biological therapies
• fibronectin
• growth and differentiation factor-8
• muscle wasting
• muscular dystrophy
• myostatin
• TGF-β

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in/or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

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