Figure 3

CAMkIIβ and TIE1 correlate with weight loss in cancer cachexia. In order to validate the findings from the rectus abdominis, qRT-PCR was used to examine mRNA expression of (a) CAMkIIβ and (b) TIE1 in diaphragm (open circles) and vastus lateralis (closed circles) in a separate clinical cohort. Correlation plots for mRNA level against rate of weight loss are shown. Correlation coefficients were significant with P < 0.05. CAMkII protein and phospho-protein levels are increased in subjects with weight loss. (c) Protein levels of CAMkII and (d) phosphoCAMkII were assessed in the rectus abdominis muscle from center 1 subjects by western blot. Intensity levels were normalized against alpha-skeletal actin and the mean ratio of CAMkII/actin or phosphoCAMkII (pCAMkII)/actin are shown for subjects with less than (black) or more than (white) 5% weight loss. *P-value < 0.05, one-sided Mann Whitney test; n = 59. Error bars represent SEM.