Follistatin-344 at a glance
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Follistatin-344 is a specific isoform of follistatin, an endogenous glycoprotein that binds and neutralizes multiple TGF-β superfamily members - most importantly myostatin and activins. Follistatin is naturally produced in response to exercise and FSH, and functions as a paracrine regulator of muscle mass and reproductive biology.
In animal studies, overexpression of follistatin via gene therapy produced remarkable muscle hypertrophy - up to 200% increases in muscle mass in some models. Human gene therapy trials using AAV-delivered follistatin are ongoing for Becker Muscular Dystrophy and inclusion body myositis, with early results showing trends toward preserved strength. Exogenous recombinant follistatin-344 injected subcutaneously is used off-label in performance settings, though bioavailability and stability via this route are not well-characterized versus gene delivery.
The follistatin-344 isoform differs from follistatin-288 primarily in its heparin-binding affinity (344 has lower binding, remaining more systemically active; 288 is more tissue-bound). This distinction matters for dosing strategy and duration of action. Human safety data for injected recombinant follistatin-344 is essentially absent; gene therapy trials provide the most relevant safety signals.
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