Intrinsic Muscle Stem Cell Dysfunction Contributes to Impaired Regeneration in the <i>mdx</i> Mouse

Abstract

Our study provides evidence that dystrophin deficiency in MuSCs and myofibres together contributes to progression of DMD. Ongoing muscle damage stimulates MuSC activation; however, aberrant intrinsic MuSC polarity and stem cell commitment deficits due to the loss of dystrophin impair muscle regeneration. Our study provides in vivo validation that dystrophin-deficient MuSCs undergo fewer asymmetric cell divisions, instead favouring symmetric expansion.