Fate choice of post-natal mesoderm progenitors: skeletal versus cardiac muscle plasticity

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2014 Feb;71(4):615-27. doi: 10.1007/s00018-013-1445-7. Epub 2013 Aug 15.

Abstract

Regenerative medicine for skeletal and cardiac muscles still constitutes a fascinating and ambitious frontier. In this perspective, understanding the possibilities of intrinsic cell plasticity, present in post-natal muscles, is vital to define and improve novel therapeutic strategies for acute and chronic diseases. In addition, many somatic stem cells are now crossing the boundaries of basic/translational research to enter the first clinical trials. However, it is still an open question whether a lineage switch between skeletal and cardiac adult myogenesis is possible. Therefore, this review focuses on resident somatic stem cells of post-natal skeletal and cardiac muscles and their plastic potential toward the two lineages. Furthermore, examples of myogenic lineage switch in adult stem cells are also reported and discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryonic Development
  • Heart / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mesoderm / cytology*
  • Muscle Development
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Regeneration
  • Stem Cells / cytology*