Below is a summary of additional media coverage from various news sources of the recent announcement by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center that researchers successfully treated mice with muscular dystrophy using muscle stem cells derived from embryonic stem cells:
Technology Review, January 22, 2008:
"Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern) have used embryonic stem cells from mice to grow muscle cells. These same cells, injected into mice with a mild form of muscular dystrophy, formed healthy, functional muscle fibers at the site of deteriorating tissue. Scientists say that the research, while still in its early stages, could eventually lead to a cell-based therapy for patients with muscular dystrophy and other muscle-related diseases. The research was recently published in the online edition of Nature Medicine."
The Times, January 21, 2008:
"Scientists in the US have successfully coaxed mouse embryonic stem cells to develop into muscle tissue and then transplanted those cells into animals bred with the genetic mutation that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy. When the cells were injected into the bloodstream of the mice they migrated to the muscles to replenish them with healthy tissue and improved their function."
Dallas Business Journal, January 21, 2008 - 10:27 AM CST:
"Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have used embryonic cells to grow functioning muscle cells in mice that have a human model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This is the first time transplanted embryonic stem cells have been shown to restore function to defective muscles in a model of muscular dystrophy, according to a news release. The study, led by Dr. Rita Perlingeiro, avoids the risk of tumor formation while improving overall muscle strength and coordination of the mice, the hospital said."
BBC News, 21 January 2008, 00:04 GMT
"A new way to manipulate human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offers hope of a treatment for muscular dystrophies.
The muscle-wasting conditions are caused by genetic mutations which block production of a key protein in cells. In theory, ESCs could be used to replace defective cells - but getting them to form muscle cells in sufficient quantity has proved difficult. Nature Medicine details US work using genetic manipulation to overcome the problem, with positive results in mice."
