NF-Kb ko mice analysis

The transcription factor Nuclear Factor kappa enhancer Binding protein (NF-KB) regulates the expression of many genes that are involved in innate immune reaction, inflammatory responses and apoptosis. In order to study a potential role of NF-KB in muscle homeostasis we have exploited a muscle tissue targeted gene deletion of an essential element of its regulatory cascade, the IKK2 (or IKKbeta subunit of the IkB Kinase (IKK) complex. Analysis of gene knock-out (KO) mice revealed a significant reduction of the IKK2 protein specifically in the skeletal muscles. Comparison of wild type and KO mice showed that the KO mice had an improved muscle force development. These preliminary findings confirm that the NF-KB regulatory pathway has important functions in muscle homeostasis.