TWEAK–Fn14 and ER stress in cancer- and age-related muscle loss
TWEAK/Fn14/UPR Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Wasting
This work will explore whether blocking the TWEAK–Fn14 pathway and certain cell-stress (UPR) responses can protect muscles in people with cancer-related or age-related wasting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260265 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are studying why muscles shrink and weaken during cancer and aging by focusing on the TWEAK–Fn14 signaling system and the cell's unfolded protein response (UPR). They will use preclinical mouse models with muscle-specific removal of Fn14 and with targeted inhibition of UPR branches (PERK and IRE1/XBP1) to measure effects on protein synthesis, mitochondrial health, muscle mass, and strength. The team has reported that removing Fn14 or blocking parts of the UPR improves protein synthesis and reduces wasting in mice. Although the experiments are done in animals, the goal is to identify drug targets that could lead to future treatments for people with cachexia or age-related muscle loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with advanced cancer experiencing progressive muscle loss (cancer cachexia) and older adults with age-related muscle wasting are the patient groups most likely to be relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People without cancer- or age-related muscle wasting, or those whose muscle loss stems from unrelated causes, may not receive direct benefit, especially since most work is currently in animal models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that slow or reverse muscle wasting and help preserve strength and function in people with cancer or age-related frailty.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical mouse studies, including work by this group, have shown promising results when Fn14 is removed or UPR arms are inhibited, but these approaches have not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Ashok — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Ashok
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.