This is in line with recent data from human cachectic COPD patients with markedly upregulated myostatin mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle and increased myostatin in serum (as detected by Western-blot) and also in line with data demonstrating hypoxia dependent induction of myostatin mRNA in human skeletal muscle cells [11,13]. This evidence concerns the gene MSTN and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.