Skeletal muscle cell transplantation: models and methods

• Published in: Journal of muscle research and cell motility Vol. 41; no. 4; pp. 297 - 311
• Main Authors: Mueller, Amber L., Bloch, Robert J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Anatomy; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; Cell culture; Cell differentiation; Cell lines; Cell migration; Cell proliferation; Duchenne's muscular dystrophy; Engraftment; Histology; Immunodeficiency; Life Sciences; Morphology; Muscular dystrophy; Musculoskeletal diseases; Musculoskeletal system; Myoblasts; Pluripotency; Proteomics; Satellite cells; Skeletal muscle; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells; Xenografts; FSHD; Xenograft; Transplantation; Satellite cell; Myoblast transfer therapy; Muscular dystrophy
• ISSN: 0142-4319; 1573-2657
• DOI: 10.1007/s10974-019-09550-w

Xenografts of skeletal muscle are used to study muscle repair and regeneration, mechanisms of muscular dystrophies, and potential cell therapies for musculoskeletal disorders. Typically, xenografting involves using an immunodeficient host that is pre-injured to create a niche for human cell engraftment. Cell type and method of delivery to muscle depend on the specific application, but can include myoblasts, satellite cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesangioblasts, immortalized muscle precursor cells, and other multipotent cell lines delivered locally or systemically. Some studies follow cell engraftment with interventions to enhance cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into mature muscle fibers. Recently, several advances in xenografting human-derived muscle cells have been applied to study and treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Here, we review the vast array of techniques available to aid researchers in designing future experiments aimed at creating robust muscle xenografts in rodent hosts.