In the April 9, 2007, issue of The Journal of Cell Biology, McGowan Institute faculty member Johnny Huard, PhD, reports that female adult muscle-derived stem cells have higher muscle regeneration efficiency. “Regardless of the sex of the host, the implantation of female stem cells led to significantly better skeletal muscle regeneration,” said Dr. Huard.
These results were discovered while working with a population of stem cells isolated in his lab while searching for a cure for Duchene muscular dystrophy. Both female and male adult muscle-derived stem cells were injected into dystrophic mice. Measurements were then taken to determine the cells’ ability to regenerate dystrophin-expressing muscle fibers. The female stem cell populations had a higher regenerative index than their male counterparts. Dr. Huard’s journal article shows that cell sex is a variable that considerably influences muscle-derived stem cells’ regenerative abilities.
Illustration: MicroSoft clipart.
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