Abstract: Candidate INHBA/Activin A macrophage–muscle stem cell axis in aged human muscle
In an abstract integrating bulk and single-cell RNA data plus an older adult cohort, the authors propose a candidate INHBA/Activin A signal from inflammatory macrophages to early-primed muscle stem cells in aged human muscle; Activin A effects in primary human muscle stem cells were attenuated by SB431542. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Bulk analysis of aged human muscle showed inflammatory activation, reduced mitochondrial and metabolic programmes and increased macrophage-associated signatures. [1]
Ligand-target modelling prioritized INHBA/Activin A as a candidate signal from inflammatory macrophages to the aged early-primed muscle stem cell programme. [1]
In primary human muscle stem cells, Activin A induced Activin-responsive genes and suppressed myogenic regulators, effects attenuated by the ALK4/5/7 inhibitor SB431542. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Integrated bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis with an independent cohort and primary cell experiments (abstract).
- Population / context
- Human skeletal muscle, including aged muscle, older adult single-cell cohorts and primary human muscle stem cells.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 17, 2026
Aged human muscle transcriptomes and single-cell states
The abstract describes an integrated analysis of bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing and an independent older adult cohort to characterise age-associated changes in human skeletal muscle. Bulk analysis showed inflammatory activation, reduced mitochondrial and metabolic programmes, and increased macrophage-associated signatures in aged muscle. Single-cell analysis resolved distinct myeloid and muscle stem cell states. Among aged myeloid populations, inflammatory macrophages had the highest SenMayo score, and donor-level pseudobulk analysis identified age-related remodelling of early-primed muscle stem cells involving inflammatory, interferon-related and extracellular matrix programmes.
Supporting source [1]
Candidate INHBA/Activin A link and inhibitor test
Ligand-target modelling prioritized inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA)/Activin A as a candidate signal linking inflammatory macrophages to the aged early-primed muscle stem cell programme. An independent older adult human muscle single-cell cohort showed concordant INHBA expression in inflammatory macrophages and Activin receptor expression in early-primed muscle stem cells. In primary human muscle stem cells, Activin A induced Activin-responsive genes and suppressed myogenic regulators; these effects were attenuated by SB431542, a small-molecule inhibitor of ALK4/5/7 signalling. The authors describe this as a candidate communication framework, not an established causal mechanism.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope of the proposed framework
The findings are presented as supporting a candidate INHBA-associated, cell-state-resolved communication framework between inflammatory macrophages and early-primed muscle stem cell remodelling in aged human muscle, a potential link between immune remodelling and altered regenerative cell states. This is an abstract; the full text was not reviewed. Sample sizes, donor numbers, follow-up and detailed methods are not reported here, and the proposed framework is not a validated clinical tool. Associations and cell-culture inhibitor effects do not establish cause or a human lifespan or regeneration benefit.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Donor numbers, sample sizes, follow-up and detailed methods are not reported. The INHBA/Activin A axis is a candidate framework, and cell-culture inhibitor results do not establish causation or a human benefit.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Liu X, Li Z, Yuan Y, Si N, Yin N. · europepmc.org · September 17, 2026