Pro-cachectic factors link experimental and human chronic kidney disease to skeletal muscle wasting programs

Skeletal muscle wasting is commonly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. However, the link between kidney and muscle function remains poorly understood. Here, we took a complementary interorgan approach to investigate skeletal muscle wasting in CKD. We identified an increased production and elevated blood levels of soluble pro-cachectic factor Activin A, directly linking experimental and human CKD to skeletal muscle wasting programs. Systemic pharmacological blockade of Activin A using soluble activin receptor type IIB ligand trap prevented muscle wasting in a mouse model of experimental CKD. Microarray was performed on muscle and kidney from 6 weeks old WT and Kif3aΔTub mice with or without systemic pharmacological blockade of Activin A using soluble activin receptor type IIB ligand trap.