title: Myogenic potential of adipose-tissue-derived cells.
abstract: Adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be directed towards a myogenic phenotype in vitro by the addition of specific inductive media. However, the ability of these or other adipose-tissue-associated cells to respond to ;natural' myogenic cues such as a myogenic environment has never been investigated in detail. Here, we provide evidence that a restricted subpopulation of freshly harvested adipose-tissue-derived cells possesses an intrinsic myogenic potential and can spontaneously differentiate into skeletal muscle. Conversion of adipose-tissue-derived cells to a myogenic phenotype is enhanced by co-culture with primary myoblasts in the absence of cell contact and is maximal when the two cell types are co-cultured in the same plate. Conversely, in vitro expanded adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells require direct contact with muscle cells to generate skeletal myotubes. Finally, we show that uncultured adipose-tissue-associated cells have a high regenerative capacity in vivo since they can be incorporated into muscle fibers following ischemia and can restore significantly dystrophin expression in mdx mice.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio di Biologia Vascolare e Terapia Genica, Centro Cardiologico Fondazione Monzino, Via Parea 4, 20138 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Rocco
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Iachininoto
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tritarelli
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Straino
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zacheo
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germani
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crea
authors.forename: Maurizio C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Capogrossi
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000378:metabolism; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D018101:Mice, Inbred mdx; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D032448:Myoblasts, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation
chemical_list: D016189:Dystrophin