Fusion with the fused: a new role for interleukin-4 in the building of muscle

Cell. 2003 May 16;113(4):422-3. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00358-1.

Abstract

In this issue of Cell, G. Pavlath and coworkers demonstrate a novel role for Interleukin-4 (IL-4) in regulating the fusion of myoblasts with differentiated myotubes. The authors demonstrate that NFATc2 signaling in newly formed myotubes induces IL-4 expression and secretion which promotes myoblast fusion with pre-existing myotubes.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Fusion
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / metabolism
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / growth & development*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Myoblasts, Skeletal / cytology
  • Myoblasts, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Interleukin-4