The emerging roles of necroptosis in skeletal muscle health and disease.

Abstract

Necroptosis is a regulated form of cell death with implications in various physiological and pathological processes in multiple tissues. However, the relevant findings from post-mitotic tissues, such as skeletal muscle, are scarce. This review summarizes the potential contributions of necroptosis to skeletal muscle health and diseases. It first discusses the physiological roles of necroptosis in muscle regeneration and development. It then summarizes the contributions of necroptosis to the pathogenesis of multiple muscle diseases, including muscular dystrophies, inflammatory myopathies, cachexia, and neuromuscular disorders. Lastly, it unravels the gaps in our understanding and therapeutic challenges of inhibiting necroptosis as a potential intervention for muscle diseases. Specifically, the findings from the transgenic animal models and the use of pharmacological inhibitors of necroptosis are discussed with relevance to improving the structure and/or function of skeletal muscle in various diseases. Recent developments from experimental animal models and clinical data are presented to discuss the roles of necroptosis in skeletal muscle health and diseases.