Macrophage-Derived IGF-1 Is a Potent Coordinator of Myogenesis and Inflammation in Regenerating Muscle

Abstract

In this issue of Molecular Therapy, Tonkin and colleagues provide convincing evidence that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) generated by macrophages plays a significant role in coordinating muscle regeneration and inflammation following injury.1 Although IGF-1 is well known for its anabolic effects on skeletal muscle2,3 and its capacity to improve muscle repair following injury,4 the work by Tonkin et al. shows an important function for a relatively brief interval of IGF-1 production by macrophages in promoting muscle regeneration and regulating the inflammatory response.