title: Murine muscle precursor cells survived and integrated in a cryoinjured gastroesophageal junction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mini-invasive techniques for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), such as endoscopic injections of inert materials, have been introduced in recent years. However, results are still preliminary. Cell injection has emerged as an alternative strategy in both vesicoureteral reflux and incontinence. Here we report, for the first time, the injection of muscle precursor cells (MPCs) in the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).
  
  
  METHODS
  MPCs were derived from expanded satellite cells isolated from skeletal muscle fibers of green fluorescent protein (GFP) positive mice. Via laparotomy, GFP-negative mice were subjected to cryoinjury of GEJ followed by injection of MPCs (experimental animals), bone marrow derived cells, or saline (controls).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunofluorescence analyses of experimental GEJs demonstrated coexpression of GFP and desmin in grafted cells. GFP+ muscle neofibers were evident at 4 wk after injection. Coexpression of GFP and smooth muscle actin was also observed at 2 wk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Satellite cells could be easily harvested, expanded in culture, and used as injectable substance in the GEJ. These results could be the background for the development of a new injection technique for GERD treatment, which might combine bulging and functional actions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fascetti-Leon
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malerba
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boldrin
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Betalli
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasut
authors.forename: Giovanni Franco
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Zanon
authors.forename: Pier Giorgio
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Gamba
authors.forename: Libero
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vitiello
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Coppi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000166:cytology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006085:Graft Survival; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins