ACE-031

Drug testing and analysis · 2025

Researchers studied black market products claiming to be ACE-031, a banned performance-enhancing substance. They found that most of these products contained a different protein instead of the intended compound, raising concerns about their safety and authenticity.

• Of 14 tested black market products, 12 contained a protein that was not ACE-031 but rather the full-length human activin receptor IIB.
• The study developed a detection method that successfully identified these products in rat serum for up to 48 hours after administration.
• The presence of additional proteins in the black market products indicates potential risks associated with their use.

JBMR plus · 2025

Researchers studied a genetic condition called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), which causes abnormal bone growth. They found that combining a specific protein treatment with stem cells from induced pluripotent stem cells significantly reduced this abnormal bone formation in a mouse model.

• Researchers observed that the combination of rapamycin and stem cells effectively reduced heterotopic ossification in mice with FOP.
• The study highlighted the role of the ACVR2B-Fc fusion protein in managing the effects of the disease.
• Findings suggest a potential new approach for addressing abnormal bone growth associated with FOP.

Stem cell research & therapy · 2024

Researchers studied a rare genetic disease called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), which causes abnormal bone growth. They found that using a specific type of stem cell, combined with a candidate drug, reduced this abnormal bone formation in a mouse model, suggesting a potential new approach for treatment.

• Researchers observed that stem cells expressing ACVR2B-Fc reduced abnormal bone growth in a mouse model of FOP.
• The study found that ACVR2B-Fc secreted by these stem cells decreased signaling pathways that lead to bone formation.
• Local injections of these modified stem cells improved movement performance in the mice.

Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · 2022

Researchers studied the effects of pancreatic cancer cachexia, a severe muscle-wasting condition, in both mice and humans, focusing on how it differs between sexes. They found that male mice experienced more severe muscle loss compared to females, and this pattern was mirrored in human patients, where men showed greater muscle wasting than women. The hormone Activin was identified as a key factor driving this muscle loss, highlighting the need for sex-specific approaches in treatment development.

• Male mice with pancreatic cancer exhibited earlier and more severe muscle loss compared to female mice.
• In human patients, men experienced greater and faster muscle wasting than women during treatment for pancreatic cancer.
• The hormone Activin plays a significant role in muscle loss, particularly in males, suggesting that sex differences are crucial for understanding and treating cachexia.

Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · 2020

Researchers studied the effects of blocking a specific protein, ACVR2B, in mice with advanced colorectal cancer. They found that this intervention helped preserve muscle and fat mass, improved muscle strength, and maintained heart function, suggesting that targeting ACVR2B could be a promising approach to combat the muscle wasting and organ dysfunction associated with cancer cachexia.

• Researchers observed significant loss of fat, bone, and skeletal muscle mass in mice with metastatic colorectal cancer.
• The blockade of ACVR2B preserved fat and muscle mass, and improved muscle strength in these mice.
• Heart function was fully maintained in mice treated with ACVR2B antagonism, despite the presence of cancer.

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · 2020

Researchers studied the effects of blocking ACVR2B ligands in mice with ischemic heart failure to see if it could help with muscle wasting without harming heart function. They found that while this treatment did not improve heart health, it effectively reduced muscle loss and preserved muscle size.

• Blocking ACVR2B ligands did not improve heart function or prevent heart remodeling after ischemic injury.
• The treatment reduced muscle wasting in chronic ischemic heart failure.
• Muscle preservation was linked to changes in specific markers related to muscle growth and metabolism.

Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy · 2019

Researchers studied the effects of blocking specific proteins, known as ACVR2B ligands, on heart damage caused by restricted blood flow and subsequent restoration. They found that this blockade reduced heart injury and improved heart function in mice after such episodes.

• Blocking ACVR2B ligands reduced heart tissue damage and improved heart function after ischemia-reperfusion injury.
• The treatment also altered heart cell metabolism and reduced cell death under low-oxygen conditions.
• Myostatin, a specific ACVR2B ligand, was found to worsen heart cell stress during low-oxygen situations.

Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · 2018

Researchers studied the effects of chemotherapy on heart and skeletal muscles in mice, focusing on a method to prevent muscle loss. They found that blocking certain proteins had a significant impact on skeletal muscle but only minor effects on the heart, suggesting different responses to chemotherapy in these tissues.

• Chemotherapy caused similar muscle wasting in both skeletal and heart muscles, but the underlying mechanisms differed.
• Blocking ACVR2B ligands significantly reduced muscle loss in skeletal muscle but had little effect on the heart.
• The study identified specific genes that respond to blocking ACVR2B ligands, highlighting the unique responses of skeletal and cardiac muscles to chemotherapy.

Drug testing and analysis · 2017

Researchers studied methods to detect Luspatercept, a protein that stimulates red blood cell production and may be misused in sports. They found two effective antibody-based techniques for identifying Luspatercept in human serum, which could be useful for anti-doping tests in the future.

• One method, a commercial ELISA test, can quickly detect Luspatercept in small serum samples without cross-reacting with similar proteins.
• Another method involves immunoprecipitation followed by specialized analysis, allowing for more precise detection of Luspatercept.
• Both detection strategies are promising for future use in monitoring doping in sports due to Luspatercept's long-lasting presence in the body.

Scientific reports · 2017

Researchers studied the effects of ACVR2B/Fc on muscle and bone loss caused by chemotherapy in mice. They found that ACVR2B/Fc effectively prevented the loss of muscle strength and bone density associated with the chemotherapy drug Folfiri, suggesting potential protective benefits against these side effects.

• Folfiri chemotherapy led to significant muscle and bone loss in mice.
• ACVR2B/Fc prevented the deterioration of muscle mass and strength during chemotherapy.
• ACVR2B/Fc also preserved trabecular bone density in the femur and vertebrae affected by Folfiri.