title: Mesenchymal stem cells: emerging therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
abstract: Multipotent cells that can give rise to bone, cartilage, fat, connective tissue, and skeletal and cardiac muscle are termed mesenchymal stem cells. These cells were first identified in the bone marrow, distinct from blood-forming stem cells. Based on the embryologic derivation, availability, and various pro-regenerative characteristics, research exploring their use in cell therapy shows great promise for patients with degenerative muscle diseases and a number of other conditions. In this review, the authors explore the potential for mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the emerging field of regenerative medicine with a focus on treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Chad D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Markert
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atala
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Cann
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Christ
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furth
authors.forename: Fabrisia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: Martin K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Childers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D051379:Mice; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*