title: Adipose-derived stem cells enhance myogenic differentiation in the mdx mouse model of muscular dystrophyviaparacrine signaling.
abstract: Adipose-derived stem cells have been shown to promote peripheral nerve regeneration through the paracrine secretion of neurotrophic factors. However, it is unclear whether these cells can promote myogenic differentiation in muscular dystrophy. Adipose-derived stem cells (6 × 106) were injected into the gastrocnemius muscle of mdx mice at various sites. Dystrophin expression was found in the muscle fibers. Phosphorylation levels of Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), eIF-4E binding protein 1 and S6 kinase 1 were increased, and the Akt/mTOR pathway was activated. Simultaneously, myogenin levels were increased, whereas cleaved caspase 3 and vimentin levels were decreased. Necrosis and fibrosis were reduced in the muscle fibers. These findings suggest that adipose-derived stem cells promote the regeneration and survival of muscle cells by inhibiting apoptosis and fibrosis, thereby alleviating muscle damage in muscular dystrophy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Qing
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ying-Yin
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ya-Qin
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Hui-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Li-Qing
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Shan-Wei
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9722-243X
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: Duchenne muscular dystrophy; adipose-derived stem cells; dystrophin; myogenic differentiation; paracrine pathway; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration