Satellite cells help muscle regeneration

Filed in archive Investigational on July 29, 2005

So-called "satellite cells" were found which can help the body's own muscles heal themselves:

A type of cell found naturally in the body holds hope of treatments for muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy, say UK scientists . . .

. . . Professor Terence Partridge and colleagues took between five and 25 mouse satellite cells and transplanted or grafted them into some muscle tissue in the lab.

They then measured the amount of new muscle and satellite cells produced.

Some of the grafted satellite cells also replicated more of themselves, expanding greatly in number by at least 10 times.

These new satellite cells were robust, being able to sustain vigorous 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."

("Body's own cells may mend muscles", BBC, Jul.30)