Using Mechanical Environment to Enhance Stem Cell Transplantation in Muscle Regeneration

Muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC) transplantation has shown potential as a therapy for cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction in diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this study we explore mechanical environment and its effects on MDSCs engraftment into cardiac and skeletal muscle in mdx mice and neoangiogenesis within the engraftment area. We first looked at transplantation of the same number of MDSCs into the heart and gastrocnemius (GN) muscle of dystrophic mice and the resulting dystrophin expression. We then explored neoangiogenesis within the engraftments through quantification of CD31 positive microvessels. This study is important to aid in determining the in vivo environmental factors leading to large graft size which may aid in determining optimum transplantation conditions for muscle repair.