Use of decorine for increasing muscle mass

Abstract

The invention concerns decorin for increasing muscle mass, particularly in the treatment of muscular dystrophies.

1 . Composition containing a fragment of decorin able to bind zinc to treat diseases associated with muscle wasting. 
     
     
         2 . Composition according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the diseases are selected from the group of neuromuscular diseases, to advantage muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and the cachexia. 
     
     
         3 . Composition according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that the fragment comprises the sequence SEQ ID NO: 7 or 15. 
     
     
         4 . Composition according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that the fragment has the sequence SEQ ID NO: 7 or 15. 
     
     
         5 . Composition containing decorin to increase muscle mass. 
     
     
         6 . Composition according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the aim of increasing muscle mass is to compensate for wasting resulting from immobilisation or old age. 
     
     
         7 . Composition according to  claim 5  or  6 , characterised in that it is for use in animals. 
     
     
         8 . Composition according to one of  claim 5  or  6 , characterised in that decorin is in the form of an active fragment. 
     
     
         9 . Composition according to  claim 8 , characterised in that the active fragment is able to bind zinc. 
     
     
         10 . Composition according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the fragment comprises the sequence SEQ ID NO: 7 or 15. 
     
     
         11 . Composition according to  claim 9 , characterised by the fragment has the sequence SEQ ID NO: 7 or 15. 
     
     
         12 . Composition according to  claim 1  or  5 , characterised in that the decorin is in the form of an active fragment, a recombinant protein, a fusion protein or a nucleic acid encoding such a protein or fragment. 
     
     
         13 . Composition according to  claim 1  or  5 , characterised in that the decorin is for intramuscular, intraperitoneal or intravenous injection. 
     
     
         14 . Composition according to  claim 1  or  5 , characterised in that the decorin is associated with other treatments, particularly gene therapy and cell grafting.