Stem Cells Offer Hope For Muscular Dystrophy
Related News: Regenerative MedicineThe BBC is reporting on how some researchers are looking at a new type of cell which is found naturally in the body that may be the target of treatments for muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
It is being reported that many have long suspected that satellite cells which coat muscles may be able to make new muscle.
The Medical Research Council and researchers at University College in London are now showing that this in fact is the case, at least in mice.
Professor Terence Partridge and his team took between five and 25 mouse satellite cells and then transplanted them onto some muscle tissue in the lab.
After measuring the amount of new muscle and satellite cells produced, it was found that each grafted satellite cell produced new muscle.
To make it even more interesting, some of the grafted satellite cells also replicated more of themselves, expanding in number by at least 10 times.
Futhermore, these new satellite cells were highly robust, being able to sustain regeneration over at least two subsequent rounds of muscle damage in the lab.
The researchers said this not only proves that these cells are responsible for muscle repair but also suggests that they share the same renewing properties of stem cells.
Similar repair cells may be present in other tissues, they told Cell journal.
Posted on July 31, 2005 03:25 PM