Regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to highlight advances in the field of skeletal muscle regeneration that have been made in the last year.


RESULTS
Studies have increased our understanding of the activation of satellite cells within their niche on the muscle fibre, the contribution of satellite cell-derived muscle precursor cells to skeletal muscle regeneration and the reduction of satellite cell function in old muscle. Although other stem cells, either bone marrow derived or present within skeletal muscle or other tissues, do contribute to muscle regeneration, recent studies have highlighted that this is at best minimal compared with the ability of satellite cells to regenerate skeletal muscle. The effect of the host muscle environment has been shown to have a profound effect on skeletal muscle regeneration. Age and denervation have a detrimental effect and certain types of muscle injury a positive effect. Work continues on the effect of growth factors on muscle cell lines in vitro and muscle regeneration in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent work has focused on the contribution of satellite-cell derived muscle precursor cells and other stem cells to skeletal muscle regeneration. The muscle environment has a profound effect on the regenerative capacity of resident and implanted cells. Muscle regeneration may be optimized by using the best stem cell population and by modifying the host muscle environment.
Ehrhardt
Janine
J
Muscle Cell Biology Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, London, UK.
Morgan
Jennifer
J
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D032496:Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / Q000502:physiology
D006133:Growth Substances