1. Mesoangioblast stem cells ameliorate muscle function in dystrophic dogs.
- Author
-
Sampaolesi M, Blot S, D'Antona G, Granger N, Tonlorenzi R, Innocenzi A, Mognol P, Thibaud JL, Galvez BG, Barthélémy I, Perani L, Mantero S, Guttinger M, Pansarasa O, Rinaldi C, Cusella De Angelis MG, Torrente Y, Bordignon C, Bottinelli R, and Cossu G
- Subjects
- Adult Stem Cells immunology, Animals, Combined Modality Therapy, Creatine Kinase blood, Dogs, Dystrophin biosynthesis, Dystrophin genetics, Dystrophin immunology, Genetic Therapy, Humans, Male, Muscle Cells, Recombinant Fusion Proteins biosynthesis, Recombinant Fusion Proteins genetics, Transplantation, Autologous, Transplantation, Heterologous, Adult Stem Cells transplantation, Muscular Dystrophy, Animal therapy, Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne therapy, Stem Cell Transplantation
- Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy remains an untreatable genetic disease that severely limits motility and life expectancy in affected children. The only animal model specifically reproducing the alterations in the dystrophin gene and the full spectrum of human pathology is the golden retriever dog model. Affected animals present a single mutation in intron 6, resulting in complete absence of the dystrophin protein, and early and severe muscle degeneration with nearly complete loss of motility and walking ability. Death usually occurs at about 1 year of age as a result of failure of respiratory muscles. Here we report that intra-arterial delivery of wild-type canine mesoangioblasts (vessel-associated stem cells) results in an extensive recovery of dystrophin expression, normal muscle morphology and function (confirmed by measurement of contraction force on single fibres). The outcome is a remarkable clinical amelioration and preservation of active motility. These data qualify mesoangioblasts as candidates for future stem cell therapy for Duchenne patients.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF